A recent weekend offered two community events just hours apart for Magnolia residents to enjoy. The second annual Tailgate Party, held on The Stroll Aug. 18, had a large turnout – that is, until a major thunderstorm drowned out the festivities a bit early. Football teams, marching bands, cheerleaders and flag drill teams from both Magnolia high schools provided a celebratory spirit to get everyone in the mood for cheering.
Magnolia Community Foundation President Deborah Rose Miller initiated enhancements to this year’s event, such as rotating performances at several Stroll locations, rather than just one main location and a combined pep rally for both area high schools. The crowd enthusiastically applauded the performers and chomped on goodies from the food stands. A dunking booth, sponsored by the Magnolia Rotary Club, was a popular attraction that offered people a chance to soak the high school coaches and principals. All proceeds benefited the Magnolia ISD athletic programs.
This year’s Tailgate Party had 36 vendors and an estimated 2,000 attendees, which was approximately a 10 percent increase over last year.
“Things had just started really buzzing and then a huge thunderstorm forced us to shut down,” said Miller, “but we expect next year’s event to be even bigger and better.”
The Community Foundation wants the Tailgate Party to continue to build community spirit among residents and students.
Also that evening, the Montgomery County Search & Rescue organization held its annual fundraiser at the Montgomery County Community Building in Magnolia. The barbeque plate sales and silent auction raised more than $18,000 this year.
The organization operates solely with volunteers, but needs money for operational expenses, training and equipment repairs, according to Vice President J. Carter Miller.
Montgomery County Search & Rescue offers services to people in need of locating missing family members. For more information, or to volunteer to help the organization, visit the website at www.moscar.org.
Also on hand at the fundraiser were booths from civic and emergency response organizations such as Montgomery County CPS, Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Montgomery County Sheriff Citizen’s Academy, Texas Wheels of Justice and Montgomery County Emergency Management.
