Sometimes when you think the storm is coming to rain on your parade, it’s actually there to water your garden - Rob Hill Sr.
The much needed rain fell on our eighth annual Santa Rita Star Spangled Celebration during Polo Urias, Hispanic band, music set. The Reagan County stage was loaded with sound, lighting, video screens, and Jon Wolfe and Stoney LaRue’s equipment. All of their equipment got soaking wet and caused a cancellation of our event. Ronnie McEnery from Bad Boyz Fireworks, had all of his fireworks ready to light up the Big Lake sky, just as he usually does. After the rain we were hoping to have some sort of fireworks, but they were completely ruined. The Big Lake Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center staff and board of directors was terribly disappointed as this is our ‘BIG EVENT” of the year. We work on planning and organizing this event for months before it happens. However, regardless of how much planning we do, we have no control over the weather. Hopefully next year we get lots of rain weeks before and have a dry Santa Rita Star Spangled Celebration 2024.
However, we did get to enjoy our Fun Run, sponsored by American Momentum Bank along with the Star Spangle BBQ Showdown sponsored by Sweet Life Bakery and the Freedom Fest Car Show sponsored by Glasscock Chevrolet and Marco’s Body Shop. We had the best craft/sales and food vendors ever this year. We appreciate all the work that goes into setting these activities and booths up. Earlier in the afternoon, Big Lake Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center honored the Santa Rita Centennial Celebration with Cindy O’Bryan reading the Proclamation for the Historical Society from the State of Texas honoring Santa Rita #1. David Melms, Mayor of the City of Big Lake, read the Proclamation presented by the City of Big Lake in honor of the Centennial Celebration of May 28, 2023. Richard Brantley of University Lands in Midland, Texas, told several stories related to the Santa Rita #1 Oilwell.
Without the support from these sponsors and volunteers, Santa Rita Star Spangled Celebration would not have been possible.
Sponsors: Pioneer Natural Resources, Ralph O’Bryan Family, Big Lake Pump & Supply, Hibernia Resources, Kent Kwik, Glasscock Chevrolet, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Gay & Young Motors, JD Garber Contract Services, Fortenberry Fabrications, SEM Operating, Spartan Field Services, Zeich & Pickett Insurance, AEP Texas, BL Maco Automotive, Stephen and Michele Dodd, Entrotec/Hibbs/& Todd, Cobblestone Inn & Suites, Best Western Plus, HEB, Big Lake Wildcat, W5 Metal Designs, and United Rentals. Also Glasscock Chevrolet for furnishing us a vehicle to shuttle the bands, Kent Kwik for the water donated. The Santa Rita Balloon Company furnished beautiful balloon display for our Meet & Greet area for the bands. We sure appreciate all of our sponsors!
Volunteers: Mark Noland and American Momentum Bank employees, Amanda Lejia and Sweet Life Bakery, Marco Gomez, Reagan County Hospital employees, Sheri Benson and City Employees, Tim Sellman and County Employees, Big Lake Volunteer Fire Dept. and EMS, Jeff Garner and Reagan County Sheriff’s Dept., Lewis Epperson, Zack, Kendra & Whittley Epperson, Hayden & Madi Clark, Patti Davenport, Katie Sanchez, Cassandra DelaRosa, Jacy Mankin, Andi Melms and Big Lake Ambassadors.
I cannot begin to express my appreciation to the Chamber Board Members: JL Mankin, Dora Carrasco, Tiffany DelaRosa, Cindy Mitchell, Stephen Dodd, Sheri Benson, Yurika Salazar, and John Weatherby for helping me plan and work this event. THANK YOU BIG LAKE, for your attendance & support. It takes the whole community to support this kind of event, whether it is your time, money, or goods. We sure appreciate all of you and we will see you again next July.
Loretta Epperson, Director
