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August 9, 2005
69th Annual XIT Rodeo and Reunion (5)
The XIT ranch covered 10 counties in Texas (XIT stands for "Ten in Texas"). My great grandfather was a cowhand on the XIT ranch.
The Rodeo and Reunion, started in 1925, was a chance for all of the old cowhands to get back together. Karen and I now use it as a good excuse to get back to Dalhart and visit my folks and old friends. There are also lots of fun activities for the kids.
Saturday morning of XIT is parade time. And this parade is one of the nicest small-town parades you could imagine. There are loads of horses, queens, and farm equipment.
Oh and lots of candy for the kids.
Sophia Anticipates
Corbin, Spencer, and Sophia Watch the Parade Start
Old Guy - Small Car
Francesca, Sophia, Abby and Ringo(Spencer)
Francesca in Post-Parade, Candy-Overload Bliss
The world's largest free BBQ feed is a Saturday afternoon event. Seeing them pull the burlap wrapped brisket out of the recently uncovered pit impresses most anyone. Unfortunately, I missed that part this year, but we did arrive in time to get a plate and sit together on the rodeo grounds. The brisket was excellent this year. (It has been less than perfect in a few past years, like the time the wood in the pit got wet. Under-cooked brisket is inedible. The stuff they pulled out of the pit THAT year was just beyond raw.) Although the kids didn't eat much, I ended up with nothing left on my plate. (After we got back to my dad's house, Sophia asked, "When are we going to have dinner?")
There were 2 bounce houses-- a small obstacle course for the little kids, and a big slide for the older ones. My kids really enjoyed the smaller one, but while we were watching them, an 8 year old broke his arm on the big one...badly. The bone wasn't sticking out of the skin, but I am told it was close-- sticking out, just not out of the skin. The boy jumped down the slide instead of sliding (as many of the boys were doing) and landed on his arm. He started screaming (as many of the boys were doing). His mom scooped him up from the bottom and took off running to an ambulance stationed on the other side of the grounds. The scary part is that the old coot running the slide didn't even know it happened.
After the bounce house the kids rode in steel cages hooked to a spinning wheel. A Ferris wheel is what some might call it, but it looked more like a trap for unsuspecting humans to me. Francesca rode with Karen and started screaming after going around one time. Sophia rode with Grammy and made it 4-5 minutes before screaming to be let out.
Chow Down on Some Real Pit BBQ
Look Out for That Loose Arm!
The Wheel of Doom
Posted by Rich at August 9, 2005 2:17 PM
Comments
Hey, Rich! Great pictures. I think I need your camera. And good to see you guys at the parade!
That parade is Americana at its best. There are few like it. A tree-lined 100-year-old street with flags, horses, old cars, bands, kids running everywhere ... (sigh). Do you remember the year they had Bob "Dairy Queen spokesman and Texas Country Reporter host" Phillips as the emcee?
One year I made the evening news because I was the nearest 12-year-old that then-Governor Bill Clements could latch onto for a photo op. ==
The rides were new to me. Lauren really wanted to go on The Wheel of Doom but wouldn't ride alone, so I had to crawl in sideways with her. We wound up being trapped in that thing for 10 minutes! I say "trapped" ... I think they were giving us a longer ride to be nice, and because Lauren seemed to be liking it. It turns out the owners were parents of twin girls who used to be in your class. (Guess who?) You could rock the thing back and forth, and believe me, my daughter made me do it! Ten long minutes. I think our picture was taken for the newspaper.
Speaking of newspaper, did you see The Texan's printed history of the event? They had a list of every music performer in the reunion's 69-year history. Many famous acts before their prime (Dwight Yoakam, Travis Tritt, etc.) I must've been at home listening to The Joshua Tree.
Overall, XIT was fun. And you're right. Lots of stuff for the kids. Thanks for sharing your photos.
Posted by: Tim V. at August 10, 2005 1:08 PM
It looks like all-in-all you had a great time. We are sure looking forward to seeing you soon!
Posted by: jeremy at August 10, 2005 6:38 PM
I have some of the details of my camera here. It's great because it is so small. I can wear it on my hip and pull it out pretty inconspicuously. The one drawback is that it takes poor low-light pictures.
I'm glad you enjoyed XIT. When we first came back for it about 4 years ago, I was surprised at some of the changes, and nostalgic about all of the things that are the way they were when I was five.
I did see the Texan insert. There was some really interesting history. I need to try to get a copy. I would love to post that old flyer that they had reprinted in there...
Posted by: Rich at August 10, 2005 8:51 PM
XIT had nothing to do with the number of countys the ranch covered
Posted by: Kenny Brown at September 5, 2006 4:01 PM
Apparently you are right.
From http://www.xitmuseum.com/history.shtml :
"It covered portions of ten counties which apparently helped perpetuate the misbelief that the brand -XIT- stands for "Ten In Texas". The brand, in fact, was originated to thwart rustlers."
Thanks for the comment!
Posted by: Rich at September 6, 2006 9:49 AM
