Albany, Fort Griffin full of things to do
You've got two kids, a restless streak and some time to kill in Albany before the Fandangle show. What do you do?
How about browsing downtown shops, eating barbecue, touring the Old Jail Art Center or listening to an organ concert?
Many events accompany the Fandangle to Albany every year. Here is a run down of some things to do while in Albany during the Fandangle:
-- Authentic chuck wagon dinners are served each performance day beginning at 5 p.m. on the courthouse lawn. The dinners are cooked by Tom Perini of the Perini Ranch Steakhouse in Buffalo Gap. Cost is $7.50 for adults and $4.50 for children under 10.
-- Organ concerts are given from 5-7 p.m. at the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church, one block west of the courthouse. The church was built in 1898 to accommodate a growing congregation and remodeled in 1954. It houses a handmade pipe organ with 1,293 pipes.
-- The Old Jail Art Center has permanent and touring art exhibits and a video on local history for viewing. The center is located in the original county jail, one block east of the courthouse. There is no charge. For information on tours or exhibits, call the center at (915) 762-2269.
-- The Shackelford County Courthouse, built in 1883, will stay open late for tours. In the lobby is a meticulously traced duplicate of the plans for the building that were traced in 1883 by the architect J. E. Flanders.
-- The Ledbetter Picket House was built by W. H. Ledbetter who started the Ledbetter Salt Works. It is open for tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The house was built sometime between 1874 and 1877. It was moved from its original site north of Albany to Main Street in 1953 to ensure its preservation. There is no admission charge.
-- The People's Heritage Center, a museum that honors Shackelford County residents killed in war and Albany residents who have contributed to their community. The museum houses posters on servicemen, a variety of related items and newspaper headlines. It is located in the American Legion building across from the courthouse on the north side of the square. Admission is free.
-- Fifteen historical markers, several of which are situated along Main Street, tell the history of Albany and Shackelford County. A map of historical markers is available at the Chamber of Commerce in the old railroad depot. Among the historical sites are the first permanent home in Albany, Fort Griffin Civil Jail, the Cook Ranch oil field, the Lynch Building, and the Jackson Warehouse.
-- Fort Griffin State Park, located north of Albany on U.S. Highway 283, contains the ruins of the frontier outpost. Fort Griffin was part of a line of forts built to protect settlers from Indians. The park is home to part of the official State of Texas Longhorn Herd. During the Fandangle, the park offers living history programs which cover topics from soldier attire of the pioneer time period to guns of the frontier.
Park admission is $2 for people ages 13-64 and free for children 12 and under and adults 65 and over. The park also has picnic and camping facilities and hiking trails. For more information on dates and times of programs, camping arrangements or guided tours call the park headquarters at (915) 762-3592.
-- The Aztec Theater is hosting "An Afternoon with A.C. Greene" at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Living Room Theater of Salado will perform "The Rangers Raid on Happy Bottom, Texas" and "The Highland Park Woman" based on Greene's writings.
The Gillette Brothers are performing cowboy music at the Aztec at 4 p.m. on June 26-28. Admission for each show is $3.
-- The Fandangle 5000 Fun Run is scheduled for 8 a.m. June 28. The course starts at the courthouse and is a 5-kilometer (3 mile) walk or run. Entry fees are $15 in advance for adults and $10 for children under 15. Entry fee on race day is $20. To enter call (915) 762-2447. Proceeds benefit the Shackelford County Community Resource Center.
-- Downtown stores will be participating in the window decorating contest. The windows are typically done in pioneer fashion and can include antiques, collections and Fandangle memorabilia.
-- The Fandangle Parade starts at 6 p.m. June 26. The parade route begins at the elementary school and runs down Main Street and around the courthouse. It includes about 100 floats and groups. To enter, call (915) 762-3838 or (915) 762-2516. Entry is free.
-- For information on other events, call the Fandangle office at (915) 762-3838.