Published: October 13, 2008 10:12 am      

Depot Day attracts thousands

Downtown Gainesville is booming with area residents and visitors who have come to enjoy this year’s Depot Day Festival which began at 9 a.m. with the Depot Dash Fun Run and will continue until 5 p.m.

Depot Day attendees can chose from a wide variety of activities like the Kid’s Zone with inflatable jump houses and obstacle courses, the Cowboy Up Pony Rides and petting zoo, a dunk tank, rock climbing, a huge antique and classic car show, gun fight performances, trolley rides and much more.

Jason and Toni Baker, owners of the Cowboy Up Pony Rides, came all the way from Paris, Texas with a couple of baby pigs, goats, bunnies and shetland ponies. Their fourth year to travel to Gainesville’s Depot Day, Jason Baker said it is well worth the trip.

“We come every year and it’s always a lot of fun,” said Baker. “It’s going to be a good day with pretty weather.”

Thanks to a donation made by friends, Justin and Janice Brewer and daughter, Shelby, have set up Krista’s Castle in memory of their daughter, Krista, for children to come and draw.

Krista Erin Brewer died recently from brain and bone cancer. She was only 11 and had battled over four types of cancer beginning when she was just 4 months old, said Janice Brewer.

The idea for Krista’s Castle was based on Krista’s love for drawing.

“We thought it would be a good idea because Krista loved to color and draw and now the kids can come inside the castle and do what she loved to do,” said Janice Brewer.

While visiting, attendees may make donations for the Krista Erin Brewer Sunshine Scholarship.

Father and son, Randy and Ryan Firth are just two of the many owners of antique and classic cars here in Gainesville to show off their prized possessions.

A family tradition, Randy Firth said he received his 1968 Corvette when he was 16 and in turn, bought his son a 1984 Corvette for his 16th birthday as well. The years for both cars are also significant, said Randy Firth, because they are the first year that both body styles were released.

“I’m just trying to keep the family tradition alive,” said Randy Firth. “But of course, that means now he’s got to do the same for his kids.”

Artist Susie Holamon recently moved to Lake Kiowa and is selling some of her original paintings and one print of her Last Super painting. The original painting is currently in the Milagras Studio in Fort Worth.

Holamon said she has been an artist for over 20 years and is the new art teacher at Pilot Point.

“I’ve already sold a couple paintings,” said Holamon. “It’s been a lot of fun and I just really wanted the exposure. I’m the new “old” artist in town so I want to get out there and let people see my work.”

Later this evening, Depot Day After Dark will begin at 5 p.m. and last until 10 p.m. The feature entertainment will include a concert by a Beatles’ tribute band named “Me and My Monkey,” dance and catfish fry.