Steaks on Main Ribeye Cook-off and dinner brings hundreds to downtown Bonham

Bonham, Texas -- As the City of Bonham prepares to celebrate it's 175th birthday, you would have to believe that Saturday's Steaks on Main Ribeye Cook-off, dinner and concert would have made our city founders proud. In a county that is proud of it's farm and ranch heritage and laid-back rural lifestyle, there were plenty of fine cowboy hats around the city square and everyone tipped their hat to Fannin Agricultural Association, Inc. for months of meticulous planning and days of hard work that resulted in a spectacular event.

After a day of friendly competition between cooking teams, this year's bragging rights go to Double R Chuckwagon, comprised of Mark Rattan and his son, Tyler Rattan.

Front row: Tyler Rattan and Mark Rattan. Back row (L-R): Fannin Agricultural Association, Inc. staff members (L-R): Jaylen Wallace, Landon Shinpaugh, Cody Maxwell and Amy Lindsey

At 6:00 p.m. downtown Bonham filled with smoke as 800 ribeyes hit the grills. And twice that many people were in their seats when Jason Boland and the Stragglers hit the stage at 8:30 p.m.

Boland's new material like "Take Me Back to Austin" was just as impressive as the longtime favorite tune "Pearl Snaps" that had the crowd singing along.

Jason Boland and the Stragglers

Boland commented on the unique nature of this event.

"We play a lot of festivals, but I think this is the first Ribeye Festival we've played at," Boland told the audience. "Thanks for letting us be a part of this."

This is what it looks like when 800 ribeyes hit the grills in downtown Bonham.

What would it take to make Bonham as entertaining as Fredericksburg or Gruene? More nights like Saturday night. The combination of great live music with a fine steak dinner on the scenic courthouse square of one of the oldest towns in Texas attracted several hundred people for a memorable evening in Bonham.

Bonham has long been a diamond in the rough, but the city that calls itself "The Star of North Texas" is beginning to shine.

Matt Gibbs and family were having a big time!

The restored 1888 Fannin County Courthouse was a perfect backdrop for a special night in Bonham.

Second place winner BryBQ flanked by Fannin Agricultural Association, Inc. staff members (L-R): Jaylen Wallace, Landon Shinpaugh, Cody Maxwell and Amy Lindsey.