shrapnel penetrated buildings 2 miles away
We try to go to West Fest at least every other year. Good people have been really hurt-
Please help donate to this fund---
http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Media-Outlets-Collecting-Funds-for-People-Affected-by-Plant-Explosion-203600011.html
A little about the town
West is a city in McLennan County, Texas, United States.[5] As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,807.[1][6] It is named after T.M. West, the first postmaster of the city.[7] The city isn't located in West Texas but instead in the north-central part of the state.
The first settlers of northern McLennan County arrived in the 1840s. They were farm and ranch families drawn from the east by the rich lands made available by the government sale of land to build schools in Texas. The area farmers cultivated the land and grew cotton, wheat, and grain sorghum, and raised cattle. The farming community centered around a freshwater spring that became known as Bold Springs. In 1860, Bold Springs had a population of about 300 and provided services such as a blacksmith, churches, and a post office.[7]
The Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad was laid between Hillsboro and Waco in the fall of 1881. The path of the railroad passed through land owned by Thomas West, who had moved to the area in 1859. He farmed land that he had purchased and served as postmaster of Bold Springs. A train depot was built on the land he sold to the railroad company and the land running beside the tracks was divided into small sections and sold to people wanting to start businesses. The new depot included a post office, and from that time forward it was known as the West Post Office. Mr. West served as postmaster and opened the first general store. He became a successful businessman and later owned a hotel, a furniture store, and a bank.[citation needed]
The railroad brought prosperity to the area during the 1880s. More businesses were opened and more surrounding land was purchased. Czech immigrants came to the area, purchasing the rich lands to farm and start a fresh life in the new world. They also opened businesses, sharing their European culture. By the 1890s, the Czech businesses flourished in West.[citation needed]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West,_Texas
Pictures from past West Fest-
Westfest offers Czechoslovakian culture in heart of Texas
By Jessica Foreman
Reporter
Labor Day weekend’s 36th annual Westfest offered a wide range of various ethnic entertainment, cultural foods, Czechoslovakian dancing and costumes, competitions and one of the largest parades in Central Texas.
With competitions like horseshoe pitching, tractor pulls, the Kolache 5000 race, and the kolache baking contest, the festival in West attracts visitors from as far as Germany, Czechoslovakia, Russia and Japan, officials said.
The event kicked off Friday, with a preview party that featured Texas country artist Kyle Park, Johnny Lee & The Urban Cowboy Band and the Miss Westfest contest.
Saturday morning began with the annual parade. The West Fair & Rodeo Groups fairgrounds provided visitors with cultural entertainment, food, vendors and carnival rides until after midnight. The festival featured polka bands The Harvesters, Brave Combo and several others.
The Brazos Valley Cloggers from Waco and Csardas Hungarian Dancers from Austin performed Saturday under the fairground pavilions, along with several other acts. The parade of costumes, a colorful and cultural Westfest tradition, showcased original, handmade Czechoslovakian costumes.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http://baylorlariat.com/2011/09/07/westfest-offers-czechoslovakian-culture-in-heart-of-texas/&usg=__a4ygbsbGPVVPprFIfit1HcqHBNU=&h=540&w=720&sz=401&hl=en&start=1&sig2=rdzsMKrNcTjxynIRErMZtg&zoom=1&tbnid=Up4D-Qe_ei4t9M:&tbnh=105&tbnw=140&ei=xcVwUaTKF6qG2gXv7oHoBA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dwest%2Bfest%2Btexas%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&sa=X&ved=0CCwQrQMwAA
= new reply since forum marked as read
Is your link just for mail-in donations? I didn't see any way to donate on-line.
