1st Cavalry Division Rock Band performing at the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival in Burnet, Texas on April 10, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Bluebonnet Festival
Burnet is deep in the Texas Hill Country, in the Highland Lakes region. The city is easily accessible from all directions, located at the intersection of Highways 281 and 29. Surrounded by sparkling lakes and rugged hills, it’s a scenic drive from all directions. But there is a special magic to the Hill Country when bluebonnets carpet the roadside, hills and pastures in blue at the height of the wildflower season.
Burnet is considered one of the best places in Texas for viewing wildflowers. The town officially gained recognition to the well-known fact in 1981, when the Texas State Legislature officially designated Burnet the “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas”. Community leaders decided to make the most of both the beautiful wildflowers and the recent state designation and created the Bluebonnet Festival. Through the hard work of festival founders Pat Riddell and Cary Johnson, along with the Chamber Board and dozens of volunteers from the community, the first Bluebonnet Festival held in 1983 was a huge success.
The annual Bluebonnet Festival has grown into one of the most exciting and successful small-town festivals in Texas. Always taking place the second weekend in April, the event draws crowds topping 30,000 each year. Each year, activities are added to keep the annual event exciting for first time visitors as well as repeat festival fans.
From its humble beginning to now, the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival is an annual tradition both residents and visitors alike enjoy each spring. Once you’ve attended your first festival, you’ll be hooked. Go ahead and mark your calendar for the second weekend in April. You’ll want to come back year after year.
Live Music
If you’re a music fan, then the Bluebonnet Festival is just what you are looking for! They have a stellar line-up of local artists and performers coupled with well-known Texas performers. The live music begins Friday evening and jams through Sunday afternoon. Friday and Saturday afternoon concerts are free. There is a admission fee for Saturday night’s concert.
Demolition Derby
Make plans to join fans for a fun-filled night of car crashing, metal crunching excitement. The 28th Annual Demolition Derby will take place on Saturday, April 10th at the Burnet County Rodeo Arena beginning at 6:00pm, doors open at 5:00. This is a cash only event and tickets will be on sale at the gate. Kids age 5 and under are free, age 6-9 are $5.00, age 10 and older are $15.00. This event is BYOB, with a $10 cooler fee. Entertainment during the derby will include a Kids Power Wheel Race and Mrs. Demo Derby contest.
Pet Parade
Opening ceremonies for the Bluebonnet Festival are full of traditional activities including singing of the National Anthem and saying the Pledge of Allegiance, Confederate Air Force Fly-Over, introducing Chamber Board members and thanking the many volunteers and supporters.
The most exciting event is the Pet Parade, sponsored by RE/MAX Burnet. Any type of well-behaved pet is welcome to enter the parade. The parade has always included a variety of critters: dogs, cats, hamsters, snakes, birds, goats and even a pig. Some pets are wearing the latest fashions, some pets and their owners share a theme, but most come as they are, ready for lots of tail-wagging excitement. There is no age limit on pets or their owners and many entrants make it a family affair. There is no entry fee for the parade and prizes will be given away for a variety of categories.
1st Cavalry Division Rock Band
The First Cavalry Division Band was constituted the Band of the 2nd Cavalry on March 3rd, 1855. Organized at Camp Verde, Texas in 1856, it participated in the War Against the Comanche. Redesignated in 1856, the band campaigned in the Civil War and was present at Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and Appomattox. The unit disbanded in 1866 and reorganized at Camp Sedgewick in Washington D. C. In 1869, the band participated in the Indian Wars against the Sioux, Cheyenne, Utes, and Apache, as well as General Pershing’s Mexican Expeditionary Force.
The band evolved into its modern form on June 3rd, 1945. It was formed from the battle-scarred remains of three regimental bands--the 5th Cavalry Regimental Band, the 7th Cavalry Regimental Band, and the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery Band. Stationed in Japan, this new band was present from World War II through the Korean War. Serving at several different posts, the band enhanced morale, and promoted American popular music to both U.S. troops and the Japanese during post war occupations. Since World War II the “First Team” Band has participated in the war efforts in Korea and Vietnam, as well as Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and during Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia. The band also deployed with the division to Germany for Reforger '83 and Reforger ‘87.
While serving with Task Force Eagle, the “First Team” Band helped boost division morale during the holiday season, as well as spread goodwill throughout the civilian community. The band participated with the 1st Cavalry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom II, Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08, Operation Iraqi Freedom 09-10, and most recently returned from it first deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 11-12.
Presently, the first team band is a modern professional organization, trained and equipped to perform in a multitude of configurations, from soloists to a formal concert band, to support a wide variety of events. The band's modern day mission is to provide music throughout the spectrum of operations and instill in our Soldiers the will to fight and win, to foster the support of our citizens, and to promote our national interests at home and abroad.
Today, the “First Team” Band continues to promote the traditions and spirit of the cavalry, "wherever it performs."
1st Cavalry Division Rock Band
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Burnet Bluebonnet Festival
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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