SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — Every year in a small town just outside of San Angelo, people near and far come together for a city-spanning celebration. The occasion is Cotton Fest, and it's coming to Miles once again on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Paula Rankin, president of the Miles Preservation Authority, said that the event began as a bicentennial celebration in 1976. It wouldn't be a one-time event, however, as it would soon return in 1977 and be declared the first annual Cotton Fest.

Although Rankin was unsure of what prompted the bicentennial festival that would grow to become the Cotton Fest we know today, she stated that the event's ability to attract people to the town prompted residents at the time to host it once each year.

"They started it as a bicentennial celebration and decided that they needed to do annually to bring people to Miles and show people what we have," Rankin said.

Since its inception, Cotton Fest has quickly become one of the largest community gatherings Miles offers. A pageant to crown a Cotton Queen is held, a parade carves a path across the paving and red bricks of the town's main road and vendors congregate at the Miles Preservation Authority Park to sell their wares.

The Cotton Queen contest isn't the only competition that happens, however. This year, 100 cooking teams will square off to win the favor of 50 judges in contests for the best brisket, chicken, ribs, pinto beans and margaritas. Meanwhile, local cotton farmers bring in their best stalk to take home the victory in the cotton stalk contest.

This year's festival is also being influenced by a new contest to "adopt" a "Cottonboll Guy/Gal," a decorative figure of a person with a boll of cotton for a head that is commonly displayed on poles around the town. Contestants are being asked to design their own Cottonboll person that will be hung up during Cotton Fest, with special prizes being awarded to those judged to have the best decoration.

Altogether, Rankin believes Cotton Fest serves as a way for current Miles residents and those who live elsewhere but have their roots in the town to come together and support businesses in the areas.

"It brings people to town that don't normally come to town," Rankin said. "It helps your little grocery stores and your convenience stores ... helps the restaurants."

With Cotton Fest almost upon the city, Rankin encourages San Angelo and Miles citizens alike to come and enjoy the festivities.

"We'd love to see them come out, support the town, see what Miles has to offer," Rankin said. "They can walk through the vendors, they can walk through the cook sites and visit with people and see what we've got, see what Miles is about."

For more information about Cotton Fest, including times for parades, contests and other activities, visit the event's Facebook page or the City of Miles' website.

News Source : https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/local-news/whats-happening-for-cotton-fest-2024/