136th Doan’s Picnic draws crowd to event

The 136th Doan’s May Picnic was held Saturday, May 4, 2019, on the grounds of the Doan’s Adobe as a large number of pioneer descendants and others gathered beneath the tall trees next to the oldest structure in the county to witness the historic event which was first begun in 1884.
Despite a number of days of rain preceding the event, Saturday offered a sunny venue for the traditional ceremonies and activities in tribute to early early-day settlers and pioneers of Wilbarger County.
Entertainment was provided by the Eagle Flats Brats Dulcimer Group as visitors registered and visited with one another prior to the opening ceremonies.
A special visitor to the picnic this year was Will Cradduck, overseer for the State of Texas Longhorns at Fort Griffin
Cradduck had brought four of the steers with him to Doan’s. He noted that Fort Griffin State Historic Site near Albany was named the permanent home for the herd more than 60 years ago. There are Longhorns there who are descended from cattle brought by Spanish explorers and settlers, and the first significant numbers of these animals likely arrived in the late 1600s. As settlements grew and more cattle arrived, the number of escaped cattle increased. It is from these animals that the Texas longhorn began its colorful history.
The Official State of Texas Longhorn Herd, now numbering over 200 cattle, resides primarily at the Fort Griffin State Historic Site and San Angelo State Park, with a few head also residing at Copper Breaks State Park, Abilene State Park, Palo Duro Canyon State Park and LBJ State Park.
Mayor Doug Jeffrey welcomed those attending and gave a brief history of Doan’s and the picnic tradition, noting that it began with a simple picnic and has continued to become the oldest continuously celebrated event of its kind in the state of Texas.
Serving as Masters of Ceremonies were Rochelle White Beam, who was Doan’s Queen in 1975, and Randal Mints, who was Doan’s King in 1982. Members of the Santa Rosa Palomino Club presented the United States and Texas flags with Kimberly Dawn Bria, Queen in 1992, and Joe Don Wilson, King in 1988, leading the pledges of allegiance respectively. The National Anthem as sung by Halie Mae Hilburn. Joe Dale Wilson offered the invocation.
This year’s Man of the Year, Dr. J.C. Parmer, and Woman of the Year, Elsie Mae Goins Ashby, were recognized and presented with plaques by Reece Hartley Fisher and Caylor Otto Streit. Both are members of long-time Wilbarger County residents.
The 2018 Royal Court with King Jackson Creede Stafford and Queen Marlie Faye Morris presided for the coronation of this year’s king, queen and court.
Reigning over the festivities as the 2019 King was Eli Lynn Wilson and Queen Caylee Olivia Streit. Reading the Doan’s Proclamation were parents of the king and queen, Jason Mitchell and Shelley Cato Streit and David Lynn and Rhemy Lark Wilson.
Court members and other picnic participants included: Royal Court, King Eli Lynn Wilson, Lord High Chancellor Levi Austin Wilson, Grand Duke Calyn Don Chism, Count Grady Lee Gray, Duke Brady Lane Lemon, Barron Kutter Allen Walker; Queen Caylee Olivia Streit, Lady in Waiting Maia Izel Hernandez, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Grace Patterson, Countess Abigail Klair Hernandez, Duchess Brooklyn Nicole Delalune, Baroness Trista Ella Lehman; Royal Crown Bearers for his majesty, Crown Prince Eric Layne Wilson; Royal Crown Bearer for her majesty, Crown Princess Kate Harper Crownover; Royal train bearers, Princess Isla Rae Streit, Prince Cayson Owen Streit, Princess Stella Lee Hernandez; Prince Beckett Owen Wilson.
Also, Royal gift bearers, Princess Marjie Marian Stafford and Princess Karsyn Rylee Kubicek; Royal plaque bearers, Reece Harley Fisher and Caylor Otto Streit; Royal guests, Lady Alyssa Elaine Adams, Lady Kaydence Nicole Smith, Lady Finleigh Kate Agnew, Lady Kaya Eve Garvin, Lady Georgia Kate Garvin, Lord Keaton James Crownover, Lord Cameron Alex Streit, Lord Gavin Blake Dobbins, Lord Herbert Wayne Draper, Lord Rance Huxley Fisher, Lord Braydon Tyler Bourland.
Following the ceremony, barbecue was available from the Northside senior class as a fundraiser.
Additional photos and information from the Doan’s May Picnic will be featured in the Sunday edition of The Vernon Record.