For 47 years, Farmersville has been celebrating a long-standing tradition with its annual Old Time Saturday event.

This year’s festivities are predicted to be better than ever with a mix of old and new traditions on display.

On Friday night, Sept. 30, there’s a kickoff 1-mile run titled the “Nomad Friday Night Lights Mile” along Farmersville Parkway that is open to all ages. According to OTS event organizer Kristen Herd, the race is hosted by the same group organizing the Audie Murphy Hero Run.

The kid’s mile for ages 1-12 will happen at 7 p.m., followed by the Open Mile for those 12 and above. The Elite Mile is open to men with mile times under six minutes and women with mile times under seven minutes. The fee is $20 to enter.

The next day, Saturday, Oct. 1, the event kicks off with the Audie Murphy Hero Run at 8 a.m. The race begins at 101 McKinney St. for the 5K and 8:10 a.m. for Fun Run participants.

If you’re more of a car or truck enthusiast, venture over to the parking lot on Washington Street across from the First Baptist Church to see the myriad of vehicles on display at the Classic Car & Truck Show. The show opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 1 p.m.

At 8:30 a.m. on the square by the Audie Murphy memorial, the Boy Scouts will conduct a flag raising ceremony prior to the 9 a.m. opening of the vendor area. There are currently 101 arts, crafts, retail and food vendors registered. Arts and crafts vendors will be on the square this year and the food court will be open along S. Main Street.

“Personally, I am very glad that we were able to expand back on to the downtown square,” Herd said. “I think it will really give that Old Time feeling that everyone was missing.”

Another new addition is what organizers call the First Responders Alley/Education Row. It is an area featuring 16 first responder and education vendors who will be set up on the square near the post office.

“Having a designated First Responders Alley and Education Row is something that we are proud to have this year,” Herd said. “I think it will bring positive attention to these groups and organizations and really emphasize the important role they play in our community.” 

One big change this year is the staging area and the parade route. The parade and winner announcements will no longer be on the square. Instead, a portion of Farmersville Parkway will be designated for the parade.

As in year’s past, Little Miss and Mr. Old Time Saturday winners will be announced, along with the Silver Centennial Senior Citizen prior to the parade — at 9:45 a.m.— although it will happen on the stage on Farmersville Parkway.  

The parade lineup for participants that are not walking happens at the FISD Engineering Center, also known as the “Old Feagin’s grocery store.” Parade walkers, on the other hand, line up at Farmersville Parkway and Hamilton Street. The parade begins at 10 a.m.

There will be a Bounce House Kid’s Zone open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at City Park, and for those who enjoy history, the Farmersville Historical Society will have the Bain-Honaker house open for tours from 10:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Dancing and singing performances begin on the square at noon, first with the Farmerettes, followed by Impact Dance, Studio T Dance, Powerhouse Xtreme and the Farmersville High School Choir.

Adults who prefer alcoholic beverages can find them in the Beer Garden again this year at the Onion Shed from noon to 6:30 p.m.

For those who want to know the Square Board and Little Mr. and Miss OTS raffle results, the drawing will happen at 4:30 p.m. on the Main Stage located on the corner of Farmersville Parkway and Main Street.

Following the raffles, live music begins on the Main Stage at 5 p.m. with Mark Hughes, followed by State Fair Record All Star Band at 6:30 p.m.

“We can’t wait for the community to join us for the fun and festivities that Old Time Saturday has in store this year,” Herd said.