THIS WEEKEND: 2023 Red Oak Founders Day, September 16, 2023

RED OAK – Sept. 16 will be a massive day for our community, and we want everyone to participate. 

Presented by Atmos Energy, along with our Strategic Partnership with the City of Red Oak, this year will be one of the most memorable events of 2023.

For this year’s Founders Day, we have shifted to the southern half of Watkins Park, across Waller St, where the open field and walking trail are. This is a move that we have been planning to make for some time now, and now with the new Red Oak Government Center open, this dream can now become a reality.

For this year, our theme is 50th Birthday Party, as we celebrate the Chamber’s 50th year. The parade will kick things off at 9 a.m., and will run from Fuego Church to Watkins Park. Then at 10 a.m., we will shift into the NEW park area to kick off the Birthday Celebration, including a birthday cake photo booth, and a Kids Scavenger Hunt, where the final prize is a cupcake for all participants.

For entertainment, not only do we have the band Pocket Change returning for the 3rd straight year, but we will also have Jade Flores performing for the first time since 2019. She will be performing both the National Anthem as well as an hour show.

To put everything together, we have the incomparable DJ Wild Thang running the stage with fun things to do between the bands.

Bring your appetite, because we have several all-new food trucks joining us this year. Baby Sweet Catering has all of your traditional “fair-favorites”, while Taste of the Wild features a Cajun twist, including Boudin and Fried Gator.

To quench your thirst, there are several options to choose from. Small Town Texas Treats features several tasty drink concoctions, Annie-Freeze Chill Fac-Tory has a wide variety of snow cones to choose from, and fan-favorite GelU will be returning this year with their flavorful Italian ice.

For dessert, don’t forget about Red Oak’s favorite cookie lady, Heartland Cookies & Treats, who will be here for the 4th year straight.

If you are bringing a child to the event, there is plenty for them to do this year. For the 3rd straight year, Red Oak ISD will have a dunk tank, and many “community celebrities” have volunteered. Along side that, we have Archery from the North Texas Royal Rangers, as well as booths featuring face painting and balloon animals.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 16 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

6 a.m.:  Setup begins

7 a.m.:  Parade lineup begins

8:45 a.m.: ROPD begins shutting down roads around parade area

9 a.m.: Parade starts

9:45 a.m.: Opening ceremonies for Founders Day

2 p.m.: Event concludes

For more information, please visit www.redoakareachamber.org, or call (972) 617-0906.