The first Leonard Picnic was held in 1880 by a residents who wanted to celebrate the sale of the first lots in the new town, which was brought about by the extension of the Katy Railroad from Whitewright to Mineola, according to Volume one of the History of Leonard, Texas.
In 1881, the citizens of Leonard, population 50, had a bigger celebration to commemorate the town's first birthday and called it the Leonard Picnic. The celebration has continued, with 1918 and 1945 being the only years that the picnic was not held.
Those that remembered the early picnics recalled steamboat rides, masses of food, athletic events and even on one memorable picnic, two persons recalled in the History of Leonard, a girlie show.
"Yes, and we had a girlie show at one of the earlier picnics," recalled Mrs. W.A. Baxter in 1952.
"I know," said Joe Hall, then 77-years-old, "but it was closed up before I even got to see it! One of our straight-laced citizens took one look at the baggy bloomers and had the sheriff shut it up before I even got to see one well-turned ankle."
In the 1940s, then Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn made it a point to show up at the picnic for speechmaking and handshaking.
The picnic eventually evolved into a carnival, but the original premise of celebrating Leonard's heritage remains when the town gathers for three nights of music, a parade, a golf tournament, carnival, and the annual Leonard Volunteer Fire Department barbecue on Saturday night.
The 129th Leonard Picnic gets underway Thursday, July 17 when the carnival begins at 6:00 p.m. July 17 will be Arm Band Night and Kids Night begins at 7:00 p.m. (including various contests, activities, and an appearance by Trippy the Clown from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
For more information, contact Elizabeth or Angela at the First National Bank of Trenton at 903-989-2235.)
Entertainment begins at 8:00 p.m. featuring performances by Darian and Sarah Wilkinson, Collin Carder and Fakie.
Friday, July 18 will feature the 9th Annual Leonard Alumni Golf Tournament at Webb Hill Country Club, sponsored by the Leonard Athletic Club, which begins at 8:00 a.m. (For more information, contact Robert Moreland at 903-587-2634, Coylene Moreland at 903-587-3556, or Larry Thompson at 903-587-2493.)
A domino tournament will be held at the Leonard Elementary School Cafeteria. (For more information, contact Bobby Pannkuk at 214-534-8434.), The carnival begins at 6:00 p.m. and entertainment begins at 8:00 p.m. featuring Tyler Dow Bryant from Honey Grove.
Saturday, July 19
- Pancake Breakfast from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. at the Leonard Community Center
- Leonard Museum opens at 9:00 a.m.
- Parade begins at 10:00 a.m. on the Leonard Square. (For entries contact Allecia Booher at American Bank of Texas at 903-587-3314.)
- The Solomon Leonard Family Reunion begins 1:00 p.m. at the Leonard Community Center.
- The Annual Fireman’s Barbeque begins at 5:00 p.m. on the Leonard Square. (For tickets contact Charles Wrenn at 903-587-3336 or 903-587-2585.)
- The Plaids Quartet from Sulphur Springs will be performing during the barbeque.
- 1943 Fire Truck Fund Raiser to be sponsored by the Preservation League to be held during the barbeque.
- Preservation League Pie and Cake Auction to follow the barbeque.
- Carnival begins at 6:00 p.m.
- Entertainment begins at 8:00 p.m. featuring Mainstreet Showcase of Denison.
And don’t forget your T-shirts and hats!
They are on sale now at the American Bank of Texas, Summer House, The Leonard Pharmacy, The Furniture Gallery, and Sudderth Real Estate.
