By Brian McKinney

A Historical Overview

Elgin's Western Days festival began in 1970 as a community "homecoming" celebration and has since grown into one of the city's most cherished annual traditions. In its early years, Western Days was a small-town affair centered on classic country fun – a downtown parade, local contests, and a carnival atmosphere were staples from the start. The festival's Western theme has always been front and center; many participants would dress in cowboy hats and boots as Elgin embraced its heritage.

By 1972, Western Days coincided with Elgin's Centennial celebrations, which featured what was billed as the largest parade in the city's history. This era established Western Days as a proud expression of local identity, and the tradition flourished in the following decades.

As the town and festival grew, Western Days expanded from a one-day celebration into a multi-day festival with events spanning several days. What began as primarily a Saturday parade and picnic evolved to include lead-up activities throughout the week. The festival has kicked off with pageantry and family fun ahead of the big weekend for years. For example, a Miss Western Days pageant (along with a Tiny Tot pageant) became an early tradition, typically held during Western Days week, to crown local young talent. A carnival soon became a fixture, bringing rides and midway games for children and families. Each year's festivities would culminate on Saturday with the Grand Parade down Main Street and an all-day party in Elgin Memorial Park.

Over time, additional attractions were introduced to keep the festival fresh: live music on the pavilion, street dances on summer nights, a vendor marketplace of arts & crafts, and various sporting tournaments (from softball to golf) have all found a place in the Western Days schedule. By the 2010s, Western Days had become three days of non-stop fun events with something for all ages while still anchored by the Saturday parade and park festivities.

One of the festival's strengths has been its ability to adapt and grow while honoring its roots. For instance, Western Days always celebrated Elgin's ranching and rodeo culture. In earlier years, a rodeo was a prominent part of the program, organized in partnership with the Texas Lost Pines Riding Club. Generations of local youth and riders competed in events like barrel racing and mutton-busting as part of the Western Days festivities. However, in recent years, the official Western Days schedule dropped the rodeo component due to shifting interests and logistics.

Western Days organizers have shown a willingness to partner with local organizations to reintroduce Western heritage elements in new ways. In 2023–2025, for example, the Elgin Chamber of Commerce teamed up with the riding club to bring a goat roping competition into the Western Days lineup. This delighted rodeo enthusiasts and drew in new attendees curious about rodeo culture.

Community homecoming has been at Western Days' heart since its inception. Every summer, Elginites who have moved away return to town, and old classmates use the festival as an occasion to reunite. 2010, this aspect was formalized by introducing the Purple and White Jubilee, an all-class high school reunion event intentionally scheduled during Western Days. The Jubilee pays tribute to Elgin High School's legacy and honors distinguished alums. This addition to Western Days has strengthened multi-generational involvement: grandparents, parents, and current students mingle during the festival, sharing stories of "the old days" of Elgin.

Over more than five decades, Western Days has experienced many changes in scale and offerings, yet it remains a meaningful touchstone for the Elgin community. The festival has weathered challenges, too. Notably, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of Western Days for the first time in memory. This unexpected hiatus only highlighted the tradition's uniqueness; organizers and residents eagerly brought Western Days back in 2021 with safety measures, determined to continue the legacy.

In recent years, Elgin has grown, and the demographics have shifted, but Western Days has adapted to stay relevant. The Chamber has introduced modern twists like a Family Foam Hoedown dance party for kids, a 5K run in some years, and new themes for the parade – all to keep younger generations excited about the festival while honoring its Western roots. Longtime traditions such as the parade, live country music, and tasty BBQ & sausage booths continue to anchor the experience, ensuring that the 56-year-strong spirit of Western Days endures. For more information:
https://www.elgintxchamber.com/western-days-2025/

Attribution & Source Acknowledgment

This article contains historical and factual information compiled through publicly available sources for the purposes of journalistic reporting, community education, and public interest. All historical references, quotations, and descriptions of past Elgin Western Days events were drawn from the following sources:

- Elgin Courier archives and public reporting on past Western Days events (accessed 2010–2024)
- Elgin Chamber of Commerce – Official Western Days promotional materials and website content
- City of Elgin – Public notices, community calendar listings, and festival permits
- Texas Lost Pines Riding Club – public interviews and statements available online and in local press
- Elgin Alumni Association – public documentation and promotions of the Purple & White Jubilee
- Publicly available community posts, flyers, and promotional material for Elgin Western Days (1970–2025)

All use of historical facts, quotations, and event descriptions falls under the principles of Fair Use as defined in 17 U.S. Code § 107, due to the non-commercial, educational, and transformative nature of this reporting. Where possible, sources are paraphrased, credited, or editorialized to reflect original journalistic intent.

For corrections or concerns related to attribution, please contact the editorial team at admin@elginchronicle.com.