The Levelland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Staff are have announced a brand-new and revamped festival: Home Sweet Ho Co, set to take place on Saturday, August 24.
The festivities will kick off with the Levelland Morning Rotary Pancake Breakfast, a community tradition, followed by the grand Smith Auto Family Parade.
After the parade, attendees are invited to gather on the downtown square for free entertainment provided by the South Plains College Creative Arts Department. Children will have the opportunity to play games led by the Hockley County 4-H, including stick horse races, turtle races, and sack races.
For those looking for some competitive fun, a cornhole tournament with prizes is also planned. A highlight of this years event is the introduction of Meet the Lobos and Loboettes, featuring all the local athletic teams.
Food at the festival will have a focus on local flavors. Only Hockley County food vendors and non-profits will be on-site, ensuring that all revenue generated stays within the community.
“By exclusively hosting county food vendors, our goal is to provide a unique opportunity for our local clubs and organizations to benefit financially. This money will stay in our town,” said Mary Siders, President of the Levelland Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to food, the event will feature informational street vendors, and there will be a strong emphasis on promoting shopping in downtown stores. Siders explained that this festival is in addition to the annual Cotton and Crude Concert.
“Our board of directors, who are twenty-one elected leaders from our membership, have spent countless hours reviewing event evaluations, financials, and possibilities,” said Siders. “In many conversations with longtime supporters of community festivals, they asked if the annual event could be divided into two separate events. Many of these local contributors, who donate and volunteer time and staff, were stretched when the festival day started at 7 a.m. and ended after midnight.”
Additionally, Siders commented that dividing the two allowed more accommodating servicing from our local city partners. She said, the city street staff and local law enforcement are imperative in hosting events.
Details on the Cotton and Crude Concert are coming as the Chamber staff awaits signed contract agreements from the selected artists that will perform.”
Hockley County residents will have the first opportunity as the Chamber has started taking for vendors on Monday, July 15, 2024. All details are available on the Chamber’s webpage at www.levelland.com.
Siders bragged on the many volunteers who have been involved in this transition.
“The input of our local businesses that volunteer, sponsor and have been long time supporters of the Chamber events is invaluable,” said Siders. “They truly play a key part in providing quality events for our citizens and out of town guests to enjoy.”
For more information, please contact Mary Siders at 806-8943157.
The Home Sweet Hoc Co calendar is as follows: The Levelland Breakfast Rotary Pancakes will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Avenue G and Houston Street. Plates will be $6 and kids under five-years-old can eat for free.
The Smith Auto Family Grand Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Lineup will begin at 8:45 a.m. and entries will need to lined up by 9 a.m. to be judged before the parade begins. Parade judges will select from all entries. “Best of Parade” floats win prizes. First place will be awarded $300, second place will be awarded $200 and third place will be awarded $100.
Restrictions for the parade include: - Candy or other items may not be thrown in the parade.
- Candy or other items may be distributed by persons walking adjacent to the crowd only. This will be strictly enforced for safety.
- No water guns will be allowed in the parade.
- No one under the age of 16years-old will be allowed to operate a motorized vehicle in the parade. (Includes: go-carts, motorcycles, 4-wheelers, dirt bikes and other such vehicles) - An adult (over 18-years old) must be on or around any float to supervise at all times.
- Participants who walk should be prepared to complete a one-mile route in less than an hour.
- Any entry using horse or mule must participate in parade in category 9 (mounted horse and horse drawn wagon/carriage).
The Hockley County 4-H events will begin with the Sack Race starting at 11 a.m. The Stick Horse Race will begin at 11:30 a.m. The Turtle Race will begin at 12 p.m. and the Best Decorated Turtle will be decided at 12 p.m.
The cornhole tournament is scheduled to being at 11 a.m.
Food trucks and vendors will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
South Plains Creative Arts will be providing live music starting at 11 a.m.
Meet the Lobos and Loboettes will be held at 12:30 p.m.