Jackson County is in the Coastal Prairies region of Texas, two hours southwest of Houston. The population in 2009 was approximately 14,000, and the county includes Edna, Ganado City, and La Ward City. It's home to several museums and a wealth of Texas history; visitors to Jackson County have a choice of events from small to large throughout the year.
Flag City Opry
Edna, Texas, is also known as the "Flag City," dating back to its resolution in 1968 that the United States Flag would be flown on the streets of the city until peace had been secured. On the third Tuesday of each month, the city of Edna holds a Flag City Opry, with a catered meal, at 6:00 p.m. and live country music performances from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Opry is held in downtown Edna in the Jackson County Services Building Auditorium.
Texana Arts Council Fundraisers
The Texana Arts Council, a non-profit group founded to encourage the arts in Jackson County and preserve Jackson County's historic buildings, has ongoing events to support and restore local buildings of interest. Past events include a tour of the Historic Edna Theater in Edna City, fundraising dinners, and in February 2011 they hosted country musician David Church for a concert with a chicken-fried steak dinner. These fundraising activities restored the marquee lights of the theater in 2008 and they continue to raise funds for a full restoration of the theater.
Best of Texas Big Buck & Big Hog Contest
The hunting season brings the "Best of Texas" Big Buck and Big Hog contest, with seven divisions, including Whitetail Buck by location, Best Mule Deer, Best Hog and Best Deer Camp photos. Participants bring their deer or hogs to a participating Jackson County location between October and January during business hours for judging and weighing. Judging locations are Ganado Feed and More, in Ganado; Jackson County Feed; and Jacobs Animal Health Supplies, in Edna; and Ranch Depot in El Campo. Cash prizes, hunting gear and jackets are awarded at a banquet in February.
Jackson County Youth Fair
During the first full week of October, the Jackson County 4-H, Future Farmers of America and other youth groups participate in the Jackson County Youth Fair, a week-long event featuring shows, a parade, a Queen, and Little Mr./Little Miss pageant, carnival and rodeo. Rodeo events include youth barrel racing, livestock judging, a calf scramble and tractor-driving contest. The week's events also include senior citizen luncheons, a petting zoo, and a kindergarten day with a balloon clown and other children's entertainment.
Masters Pro-Am Golf Tournament
In April, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture hosts a Pro-Am golf tournament coincident with the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Teams are "paired" with a professional player and that player's Masters score is combined with the team's for their final score. Participants monitor the progress in Augusta over the Internet while playing a Best Ball-Best Position 4 player scramble tournament with a shotgun start. The event includes door prizes, an awards dinner, and prizes for the longest putt and longest drive.
Texana Chili Spill
The Texana Chili Spill, a chili cookoff at Brackenridge Plantation Park and Campground on Lake Texana, just south of Edna, is held each November. The event is cosponsored by the campground and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, and features a program honoring military veterans, an arts and crafts show, horseshoe and washer tournaments, games, rides and a petting zoo, in addition to a chili cook-off. The cook-off includes a chili cook-off, bean cook-off and bar-b-que, chicken and ribs competitions.
