The future of Farmersville’s long-running “Old Time Saturday” event is uncertain as organizers face ongoing challenges with volunteer support, a concern raised during the Monday, April 6, City Council meeting.

Dustin Tarrant, a board member of Farmersville Centennial Inc. and lead organizer of the annual event, told council members the tradition — which would mark its 46th year in 2026 — may not continue without increased community involvement.

“The reality is the current model is no longer sustainable,” Tarrant said.

According to Tarrant, the event is currently planned and executed by six volunteers who oversee 11 components, including the Audie Murphy Hero Run, parade, vendor coordination, children’s activities, car show and live entertainment. Planning begins months in advance, with event-day operations running from early morning through late afternoon.

As the event has grown in size and popularity over the years, Tarrant said it has become increasingly difficult to manage with limited manpower.

“While the event has grown bigger and more successful, it has also become too large and too complex for six individuals,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Tarrant emphasized the event’s significance to the community, both culturally and financially.

“Old Time Saturday has always been about the community — it’s a day to slow down, celebrate our history and enjoy what makes Farmersville special,” he said.

During the discussion, Mayor Craig Overstreet asked about the event’s financial impact, prompting Tarrant to estimate that approximately $390,000 has been reinvested into the community over the past 13 years. Those funds have supported projects such as the O.E. Carlisle Civic Center, Farmersville Public Library, the Heritage Museum and local scholarships. 

Most recently, the organization contributed $90,000 toward improvements at the civic center complex.

In an effort to preserve the event, Farmersville Centennial will host a community workshop at 6 p.m. April 16 at the O.E. Carlisle Civic Center, inviting local organizations, churches and civic groups to help take on portions of the event.

Rather than relying on individual volunteers, organizers hope groups can collectively share responsibilities and sustain the event moving forward.

Following the workshop, organizers plan to assess community participation and determine the future of Old Time Saturday by mid-May. Potential outcomes include continuing the event as is, scaling it down, skipping 2026 to reorganize or discontinuing it entirely.

“We truly hope the community will rally around this tradition so it can continue for generations to come,” Tarrant said.

In other business, council approved several action items following discussion in executive session, including authorizing city staff to move forward with negotiations for a potential land purchase in the Blackland Prairie area. The project is contingent upon securing grant funding and would not involve taxpayer dollars.

Council members also approved a 90-day extension of the city’s exclusive solid waste and recycling contract, extending the agreement through Dec. 29, 2026.

Additionally, council unanimously reappointed George Crump to the North Texas Municipal Water District Board of Directors, citing his continued service and leadership within the organization.

Council also accepted the resignation of Mayor Craig Overstreet from his role as the city’s liaison to the Northeast Texas Trails Board and appointed Jim Bolin, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Board, as his replacement.

Council members received an update on code enforcement efforts from Code Enforcement Officer Rosa Ortega, who reported progress in addressing issues such as illegal dumping, unregistered vehicles and open storage violations. More than 80 cases have been initiated, with several already resolved through compliance efforts and community outreach.

Ortega noted that recent cleanup efforts drew strong participation from residents, highlighting increased engagement and awareness of city ordinances. City leaders indicated the next community cleanup event is tentatively planned for late summer or early fall.

The meeting concluded with council members discussing future agenda items, including technology upgrades for council equipment, updates on road project bids and continued conversations regarding downtown vacancies.

The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 20.

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By Mark Saldaña | [email protected]