New event at Autumn in Bonham

Bonham, Texas — A longtime Bonham tradition is taking on a new life during the 40th Anniversary of Autumn in Bonham. On Saturday, October 3, residents and visitors of all ages are invited to walk, run or roll through local history during the Vive le Bois d’Arc Family 5K: A Historic Passport Tour.

The 3.8-mile, non-timed route can be completed by bike or foot and combines outdoor activity, local history, and six of Bonham’s historic and cultural destinations into one family-friendly adventure.

Participants will begin by picking up a Vive Passport at Rider Check-In at the Roy V. Floyd Community Center, 1100 W. 5th St. Vive participants will be the final group to depart following the 8:00am Autumn in Bonham bicycle rally start, with flexible starts available through approximately 9:00 a.m.

From there, it’s time to collect, explore and discover Bonham. Participants will travel from stop to stop, learning a little local history and collecting a passport stamp at each of six locations: Powder Creek Park, Fannin County Museum of History, Fannin County Courthouse, Creative Arts Center, Sam Rayburn Museum Library, and Fort Inglish Village Museum.

A Storybook Trail Rooted in Bonham

One particularly special experience awaits at Powder Creek Park, where participants will follow a Storybook Trail featuring The Story of the Bois d’Arc: The Roots of Bonham, Texas.

The new book was created through the passion and dedication of members of the Bonham community who believe its history is a story worth preserving. It explores the remarkable bois d’arc tree and its connections to the people, places, and traditions that helped shape Bonham, introducing readers to stories surrounding the bois d’arc tree and creek, Fort Inglish, Bailey Inglish, Fannin County, and the community that eventually became Bonham.

Experiencing that story outdoors at Powder Creek Park adds another layer to the adventure, allowing families to learn about the roots of Bonham while traveling through the very community whose story the book tells.

After visiting all six stops, participants will make their way through the official Autumn in Bonham finish line and then visit the Vive le Bois d’Arc Info Booth near Fort Inglish Museum. A stamp from every stop is required to complete the passport, which can be redeemed through 4:00 p.m. for a special finisher prize.

Take Home a Little Piece of Vive!

For the first finishers, there is an extra-special piece of Bonham waiting at the end.

Hoppy Farms Neighborhood Nurseries is sponsoring bois d’arc tree saplings for the first 20 passport holders to complete the route with all six stamps.

The living souvenirs provide a fitting connection to everything participants will discover along the way—and an opportunity for the roots of Vive le Bois d’Arc to quite literally continue growing throughout the community.

The Historic Passport Tour is open to all ages, and everyone who wants to participate may receive their own passport. The route can be completed by bike or foot, and helmets are required for all bicycle participants.

Registration is $35 for ages 12 and older and $25 for children under 12. Event T-shirts are available for purchase separately.

Vive le Bois d’Arc has long celebrated the history and heritage that make Bonham special. This new Historic Passport Tour carries that tradition forward by encouraging residents and visitors to get outside, explore the community, and discover the stories behind places they may pass every day.

From the deep roots of Bonham’s history to new bois d’arc trees taking root after the event, Vive le Bois d’Arc is helping ensure that story continues to grow.

The Vive le Bois d’Arc Family 5K is part of the 40th Anniversary of Autumn in Bonham, presented by the Bonham Area Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

Registration is available through BikeReg — Autumn in Bonham at www.bikereg.com/autumn-in-bonham
Additional event information is available at www.AutumnInBonham.com.

For more information, contact the Bonham Area Chamber of Commerce at 903-583-4811 or Info@BonhamChamber.com.