Yams, not to be confused with sweet potatoes, are similar in shape but not taste. In Texas, yams and sweet potatoes have come to be synonymous and taste pretty good baked into a pie.

The East Texas Yamboree celebrates the yam’s rich heritage by hosting one of the longest running festivals in Texas. This year marks the 77th time folks have flocked to celebrate the venerable tuber.

More than 100,000 people flock to downtown Gilmer each year to visit the carnival, taste the sweet potato pie, and vie for a chance to see the Yam Queen. This year’s event is set for October 15 through 18.

The Queen’s Parade is a must-see event at the Yamboree. Held on Saturday morning, this parade isn’t your typical Texas parade full of horses, little kids, and candy flinging. Class is the name of the game at the Queen’s Parade. Throwing of candy is prohibited, horses and livestock are persona non grata, and small children can’t walk the parade route. What you will see at the Queen’s Parade is a long line of royal Queen candidates, marching bands from every school in the area, and classic cars and trucks shined to the hilt.

The biggest and best floats are reserved for the Queen and her court. These floats are prepared months in advance, and every care is taken to ensure the royal court looks the part. Each Queen candidate has her own float, some with steps leading up to a throne fit for a true queen. Some candidates have their own court made up of tiny princesses bedecked in sequins, beads, glitter, and glamor. You never know what you’ll see, as evidenced by last year’s parade, which featured floats with spinning Faberge eggs, live doves, and a Queen’s train that extended the entire length of her float in a sea of silver satin and intricate beading.

After the last band marches away and the final twirler has caught her baton, the carnival rides begin to spin and run all through the night. Not to be outdone by carnivals featuring only rides and games, the Yamboree carnival also features human oddities, such as the world’s smallest woman, and the woman with a human head and snake body. Visitors even have a chance to view Tiny Tim, the world’s smallest horse. No pictures are allowed with these special attractions, so viewing is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If you leave downtown hungry, it’s not for lack of food options. In addition to fair staples such a funnel cakes and fresh-squeezed lemonade, there are plenty of booths offering the Yamboree favorite, sweet potato pie.

Once you’ve had your fill of spinning rides, cotton candy, corn dogs, and the peculiarities of the human body, it’s time to dance the night away at the barn dance.

As with any festival worth its salt, there’s also a livestock show, arts and crafts for sale, art and photography exhibits, and lots of peoplewatching to be had. For more information, visit www.yamboree.com.

Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 unbaked pie crust, (recipe follows)
• 1 1/2 cups cooked, peeled and mashed sweet potatoes
• 1 heaping teaspoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk (canned, half and half, cream or whole milk)
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons margarine, melted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Roll out 1 pie crust and place it in a pie plate. Mix all of the remaining ingredients together and pour into the unbaked pie crust. Bake for 45 minutes or until pie is firm. Allow to cool completely.

Pie Crust (recipe for 4 pie crusts):

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups shortening (butter flavored)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Directions

1. Mix flour, shortening, salt, and sugar together with a pastry blender until well blended. Slightly beat egg, water, and vinegar together with a whisk and pour over the well blended flour mixture. Mix all ingredients together with a fork. Divide crust into 4 equal parts. Roll each with a rolling pin and place into 4 pie pans. Flute edges of crust.
2. Note: This filling is for 1 pie crust. The remaining 3 crusts can be used for other pies or frozen. Yield: 4 pie crusts.

*Recipe courtesy of www.yamboree.com.

The post Gotta Get Away? Gilmer Yamboree appeared first on Postcards Magazine.

Most residents in our area probably don’t know that Huntsville and Tomball are closely connected historically. Tomball gets its name from Thomas Ball, a three-time mayor of Huntsville and former congressman, who is also known as the “Father of the Port of Houston.” Ball brought the rail service to Tomball, and the city was founded in 1907. Rail industry flourished for more than a decade, but soon was replaced by gas and oil, which still provides economic stability to the area.

This all started in 1933 when the Humble Oil Company struck oil. For a time, Tomball was known as “Oiltown, USA.” Humble Oil eventually changed its name and became Exxon. Over the years, more than 100 million barrels of oil and 316 billion cubic feet of natural gas have been discovered in and around Tomball.

In another tie-in with Huntsville, General Sam Houston was a frequent visitor to the Pillot House, now part of the Tomball Museum Center. While the Tomball Railroad Plaza and Museum can be found at 201 S. Elm St., the Tomball Museum Center (TMC) operates at 510 North Pine St. The TMC offers ten buildings open for tours, including a Farm Museum, Wendish log cabin, doctor’s office and much more. The TMC is owned by the Spring Creek County Historical Association and is open Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, visit the Tomball Museum Center Website or call (281) 255-2148.

Charlie Hall, president of the Spring Creek County Historical Association

Charlie Hall, president of the association, takes pride in coordinating efforts to keep the buildings preserved. “Every building here is over 100 years old,” Hall said, during a recent summer afternoon on the grounds. “We maintain them and keep them up.” All buildings were moved to the site except one, the Farm Museum, which houses an antique ox-driven cotton gin. “Every building has all the furnishings from back in that time,” he said. Tours of the museum grounds last as long as two hours. Events, such as weddings and receptions, are often held at the historic church on the grounds. Much of Tomball’s history is tied in closely with the railroad community. To preserve this, the Tomball Railroad Depot Plaza and Museum features train memorabilia, art, antiques, and a model railroad. The museum is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Railroad Depot is also open during Second Saturday at the Depot, an event hosted by the City of Tomball, which features music and an outdoor movie. For more information, call (281) 351-5484.

After a full day spent learning and marveling at the history of Tomball, plenty of unique shopping and dining experiences await. The Relics by the Railroad shopping center is a natural choice for a first stop on the shopping trail. The shopping center features many shops connected by a common boardwalk, shaded by tin roofing and screened areas that let in the sun. With shops like The Bath Hut, which features apparel, gifts and bath products and Tender Touch Gifts, which specializes in home décor, candles, furniture – you’d be hard-pressed not to find a gift for that special someone or a treat for yourself.

Ask a local where to go for lunch, and you’ll likely be directed to the Whistle Stop Tea Room, located at 107 Commerce in the Relics by the Railroad shopping center. The Whistle Stop is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. While the shop has been in operation for 20 years, owner Cindy Vincik just celebrated her 12th year as proprietor. “We specialize in soups, sandwiches, quiche, salads, and 15 homemade desserts every day,” Vincik said. “Our bestseller is our bread pudding made out of croissants.” Vincik said her favorite thing about the business is the people. “I grew up in this community, and it’s just a hoot for me. It’s an honor to be part of the business community here. The growth in Tomball is phenomenal, and they are continuing to upgrade the downtown historical area.” For more information, call (281) 255-2455 or visit the Whistle Stop Tomball Website.

Some shops at Relics by the Railroad specialize in the unusual. A western outfitter in Texas is not uncommon, but one specializing in English riding gear is a horse of a different color. Charlotte’s Saddlery features a full line of Western and English riding gear, including saddles, blankets, riding crops, helmets, riding boots, and much more. A healthy selection of Breyer horses are also available for children or collectors. For more information, visit 114 W. Main, the Charlotte’s Saddlery website or call (281) 351-1705.

As with most historic Texas towns, antique shops dot the downtown area with treasures galore. Just as the history walks and shopping excursions have you ready to collapse, Mel’s Country Cafe (24814 Stanolind Rd.) is ready and waiting to welcome and feed weary travelers. Don’t let the out-of-the-way location and nondescript red brick facade fool you – Mel’s is THE place to go for comfort food and country hospitality. No hunger is too big for Mel’s, which features the belly busting Mega Mel’s Burger – a gastric challenge served since 1994. Have your picture posted on the Wall of Fame if you can finish the burger in two hours.

Those who want to eat a good meal have plenty to choose from at Mel’s. Daily specials change, but rotating favorites are chicken and dumplings, roast beef over onions and potatoes, and Cajun grilled catfish with shrimp and crawfish Veracruz, which features a cilantro cream sauce. There’s also a 14 oz. grilled sirloin steak with grilled mushrooms and garlic butter. Owner Charles Weirich’s family built the cafe in 1978 and, while it has had other owners, it’s been back in the Weirich fold since 1994. Bestsellers are the fried catfish, chicken fried steak, and burgers, all of which are served in hearty portions. In May, Mel’s updated its menu and added new items that have quickly become favorites. “We added a deep-fried Monte Cristo, turkey club, and a chicken chipotle,” Weirich said. Another new favorite is the chocolate pecan pie, which is always handmade. For more information, call (281) 255-6357 or visit MelsCountryCafe.com or their Facebook Page. Mel’s is open Tuesday through Sunday – call for times.

Now that you’ve filled your head with history and your belly with food, head 10 miles down the road to the Showboat Drive-In in Hockley. This drive-in theatre is one of the few still in existence in Texas. The film’s audio streams through your car’s radio, or visitors can bring portable stereos and sit outside. Located at 22422 FM 2920, double-feature movies are $6 per adult, $4 for children 3 to 12, and kids under 3 get in free. The Showboat has two screens, and there’s always a kid-friendly option so parents can bring the whole crew. The theatre is open Wednesday through Sunday and gates open at 7:30 p.m. during the summer months. The first feature begins at dusk. For more information, call (281) 351-5224 or visit the Showboat Drive-In Website.

Top 5 Fare*

1. Mel’s Country Cafe
   24814 Stanolind Rd
2. Julio’s Cantina
   19235 FM 2920 Rd
3. The Original Rib Tickler
   28930 State Hwy 249,
4. Goodson’s Cafe
   27931 State Hwy 249
5. Texas Roadhouse
   24530 Tomball Pkwy

*As rated by reviewers on TripAdvisor.com as of August 30, 2013).

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