Storyfest Capital of Texas (George West)

The city of George West (near Corpus Christi) holds an annual Storyfest since the 1980s and was named by the Texas Lesiglature in 1995 as the “Storyfest Capital of Texas.” A Texas State Liar’s Contest is a feature event.
 
There is a Tejas Storytelling Association and other Texas towns also hold similar events.
 
   
Handbook of Texas Online
GEORGE WEST, TEXAS. George West, the county seat of Live Oak County, is at the intersection of U.S. highways 281 and 59, sixty-three miles northwest of Corpus Christi, in the approximate geographic center of the county. It was named for George Washington West,qv who established his ranch in Live Oak County in the early 1900s. In 1912 he donated his name, a townsite, $100,000, and thirteen miles of railroad right-of-way through his ranch in order to establish a town on a railroad. The San Antonio, Uvalde and Gulf Railroad laid the tracks in 1913. 
 
Free Republic
George West Storyfest to hold Red Wagon Parade
[Storytelling Capital of Texas…Ergo, the world!]
The Progress | 10-25-06 | Nancy Deviney
 
You don’t have to wait much longer…George West Storyfest is almost here. The fun kicks off on Friday, November 3, with the Community Breakfast and Chuckwagon Dinner and then sails into Saturday, November 4, all day on the Live Oak County Courthouse Square, with storytellers and music for all.

In between all the breakfast tacos, tall tales and toe tapping tunes, you’ll find plenty to entertain you from the Red Wagon Parade to the Texas State Liar’s Contest © to Living History demonstrations to the Reptile Adventures display. Here’s just a sample of the Saturday line up and, remember, grounds admission is free all day long.

The Red Wagon Parade and Decorating Contest isn’t just for kids. There are three categories including youth (age 14 and under), adult (age 15 and above) and commercial. Tell your own story by decorating your red wagon to promote your business, your school spirit, your favorite holiday or whatever strikes your fancy and compete for the first, second and third prize trophies in each category.

This walking parade will begin at 10 a.m. on the Courthouse Square on East Houston Street in George West and will wind through the grounds where the wagons will remain on display until 5 p.m. when the trophies are awarded.

Entry fee for the parade is $5 per wagon. An entry form is available online at http://www.georgeweststoryfest.com or at the George West Chamber of Commerce. Deadline for entry is October 27.

The Civil War-era will come alive for one day at Storyfest thanks to the dedicated folks of the Living History groups, Behind the Lines and the Society of Historical Interpreters of Texas. You won’t want to miss the stories told through their reenactments using authentic uniforms, saddles, weapons and the like.

Behind the Lines will capture the drama and excitement of life during the Civil War through field demonstrations of living history. The Society of Historical Interpreters of Texas will portray “The Calvary of the West”, an actual Confederate home guard unit based in South Texas during the Civil War.

While the able-bodied young men were fighting the Yankees back East, the old men and boys of the home guard were defending South Texas. The Calvary of the West actually fought and won the last battle of the Civil War in Brownsville.
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Get ready for some really fantastic fibs during the second annual Texas State Liar’s Contest © from 2-4 p.m. Some of the state’s best liars will compete in this invitation-only event that would put Pinocchio to shame. Last year’s winner, Donna Ingham from Spicewood, will be back to defend her title.
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Don’t miss this 18th annual event in the Storytelling Capital of Texas.

 
Official Capital Designations - Texas State Library
Storyfest Capital of Texas
George West
House Resolution No. 517, 74th Legislature, Regular Session (1995)