Past and Present: Timpson Frontier Days

The 62nd Timpson Frontier Days Festival is set for July 4-7 in downtown Timpson with food, crafts, entertainment, games, a petting zoo, and DJ.

• (left to right): Precinct 5 Constables J. Pope and Josh Tipton, Braxton, Mayor Chadwick, and Trey Box. Braxton delivered Timpson Frontier Days flyers through the Pony Express to surrounding towns on Friday, July 21, 2024.

In 1962, Ben Parnell and Ed Hooper conceived the idea for Timpson Frontier Days, proposing the concept to the Timpson Chamber of Commerce. The goal was to create a two-week celebration reminiscent of Timpson’s pioneer days of the late 1800s and early 1900s.

This event was a significant initiative to honor and remember the town’s rich history. The Timpson Chamber of Commerce readily embraced the idea, and a pivotal planning meeting occurred in Callie Robinson’s kitchen. Influential local figures, including Buzz Protsman, a respected businessman, and Timpson Mayor Bud Essery, alongside Parnell and Ed Hooper, attended.

Their ambitious plans included transforming Timpson into a lively Frontier Town for the inaugural three-day Frontier Days event. The vision was to have local merchants and store employees dressed in authentic period costumes while the town square would be adorned with decorations reminiscent of its early years. To kick off the event, the committee, with the assistance of Bo Rainbolt, the president of the Chamber, decided to borrow $100 from the Silver Harvest Fund to cover the costs of advance publicity.

During the three-day Frontier Days celebration, the town was abuzz with excitement. The festivities included a Western Dress Contest, with prizes for the most outstanding costumes worn by women and children and special recognition for the oldest person arriving in town by wagon or buggy. Numerous skills and talent contests throughout the event, such as horseshoe pitching, washer pitching, fiddling, horn blowing, and even a sack race. Attendees enjoyed an open horse show at SoSo Park and a captivating Timpson High School band concert. The highlight of the celebration came on Saturday, July 7, with the coronation of three Frontier Days queens, followed by the joyous Old-Fashioned Barn Dance, bringing the event to a memorable close.

The first Frontier Days event drew in thousands of attendees over three days and was deemed a resounding success. Elected state and local officials mingled in a warm hometown atmosphere with their constituents. As the fall elections loomed, candidates took advantage of the opportunity to connect with potential voters. Tracy Broadway, a journalist from The Daily Sentinel, recalled the visit of former Ann Richards to Timpson during Frontier Days.

After a hiatus, Frontier Days has been revived and once again serves as a time for revelry and entertainment for the people of Timpson and its neighboring communities. This revival was made possible by the community’s collective efforts, demonstrating their commitment to preserving their heritage. It has also become the preferred time for reunions among Timpson High School graduates. Planning for the week-long festivities kicks off as early as May, led by the Timpson Chamber of Commerce members. The highlight of the event is Saturday, featuring a vibrant parade, an array of games, exciting amusement rides for children, and an assortment of food stalls offering everything from hot dogs to freshly cooked corn, along with an ample selection of cold drinks to quench the thirst of the lively crowds. The festivities also include vendors setting up their stalls to sell a diverse range of crafts and other items, adding to the excitement of this not-to-be-missed event.

In 1996, Marilyn Corder took on the challenge of revitalizing the Timpson Frontier Days festival, which had seen a decline in popularity over the years. Despite a small crowd in the first year, the festival started to gain momentum, with the addition of gospel singing and the introduction of the successful cake auction. The festival now attracts 2,000-2,500 visitors annually, bringing the community together for a fun-filled event. As the festival gears up to celebrate its 62nd anniversary in 2024, and Timpson prepares to mark its 140th year since its founding in 1885, there is a sense of optimism for the future, with the younger Chamber of Commerce organization poised to continue the tradition with Marilyn’s guidance. Additionally, the return of the Miss Frontier Days Queen contest, thanks to the efforts of a few members of the Chamber, adds to the excitement surrounding the event.