Celebrating “The Gap,” community gathers for some family fun at September Fest 2.0 in Cranfills Gap
CRANFILLS GAP – With a population of just 303, Cranfills Gap is the epitome of a Texas small town. Its population is proud to be a Texan, proud of their Norwegian heritage, proud to be a Lion, and proud of their rural community, small as it is. And probably most of the town’s population came out to celebrate “The Gap,” during their annual September Fest activities Saturday.
They enjoyed a long parade with trucks, fire trucks, Sheriff Office vehicles, ATV’s, motorcycles, horses and trailers with the maroon-clad cheerleaders and football players. Everybody knew everybody in the parade. Young spectators scrambled to gather the large amount of candy thrown at the crowd, as parents looked on. Leading the parade were this year’s Grand Marshals, Jan and Doug Kieta.
“They are very involved in our community,” September Fest event committee member Cindy Wiese said, explaining the choice for Grand Marshal. “As chamber president and school board member, they have done so much for the community.”
Wiese was one of the community members that brought back September Fest in 2020 after it had petered away in 2017. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, September Fest 2.0 didn’t officially start until 2021. The event is now officially a 501(c)3, putting the proceeds back into the event, offering scholarships and community improvements.
Over 60 vintage cars shone in the sun at the car show. Vendors lined the side street, or had a more comfortable, air-conditioned space in the community center. Bounce houses awaited the kids to frolic and the Cranfills Gap High School juniors made cotton candy and took their spot in the dunking booth.
A motley crew of goats awaited the chance to elude the lassos in the goat roping event. And if the goat roping didn’t go as planned, visitors could redeem themselves at the corn hole tournament. Butterflies, oblivious to Meatloaf’s songs blaring from the speakers, flitted daintily in the flower bed.
“It is a beautiful thing to live in a community like this,” Gap resident Eric Vanderbeck said. “It is a community with values, with the kindest people. And they all come out for community events like this. It’s heartwarming.”
Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
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Love the article.
Thanks for sharing your talents with the Bosque County community.
Don Spitzenberger