Family-friendly FREE festival to feature Bank Robbery Reenactments, Soap Box Challenge, Live Entertainment, Exhibits, Crafts, Food and Evening Concert with Brave Combo
Pilot Point, Texas –– Pilot Point’s Main Street Program today announced that its 8th Annual Bonnie and Clyde Days festival will be held Saturday, October 14, 2017 on the historic town square. The festival starts at 10:00 a.m. and runs through 5:00 p.m. Local favorite Brave Combo headlines the evening’s free concert, held at the nearby Western Sons Distillery. LOCATION: Pilot Point, Texas is 11 miles north of Denton on 377.
BACKGROUND: The annual festival is held to commemorate and reenact the 1967 filming of the “bank robbery scene” in the Warner Brothers movie “Bonnie and Clyde” (starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty), at the historic bank building on the town square. This year commemorates 50 years since the release of the movie. In addition to the movie, Pilot Point was a known hangout of the REAL Bonnie and Clyde and the Barrow Gang. Local legend has it that a family member lived in the area and offered the gang safe haven.
BANK ROBBERY REENACTMENT: The featured event – the annual “Bank Robbery Scene Reenactment” – complete with gangsters and police squad cars – occurs at high noon and again at 3:00 p.m. This year commemorates 50 years since the release of the movie.
ANNUAL CABINET MAKERS’ SOAP BOX CHALLENGE: The popular Annual Soap Box Challenge takes place at 1:00 p.m. on the town square (practice runs and qualifying event times to be announced). Challenge drivers must be between the ages of 6-12. Trophies are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Chandler Cabinets, the event is open to all businesses, clubs, families and individuals. FREE soap-box car rides will be available from 9:00-11:00 a.m. for kids aged 6-12. For more information, or to register, contact the Chamber of Commerce or visit the festival’s website, below. .
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS: During the all-day festival, Pilot Point becomes a piece of living history with 1930's-era family fun! Festivalgoers step back in time with a Model A and Classic Car Show, a Chain Gang Walk, a Pie Eating Contest and Peanut Thrashing Demonstrations. Bonnie & Clyde Days also offers street and food vendors, live musical entertainment throughout the day, and a FREE Kids Zone featuring children's activities.
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES:
"QUICK GETAWAY": 5K Family Fun-Run / Walk starts at 7:30 a.m. (prior to the festival).
REENACTMENTS: Two bank robbery movie-scene reenactments this year, 12 noon and 3:00 p.m., featuring hired gunmen re-enactors, local actors and drama students.
LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS, FOOD VENDORS, PIE-EATING CONTEST, KID ZONE and CAR SHOW
FREE KID ZONE: rock climbing wall, zip line, 3 bounce houses, face painting and a petting zoo.
CABINET MAKERS’ SOAP BOX CHALLENGE: Race begins at 1:00 p.m. Awards presentation is at 3:15 p.m.
FREE EVENING CONCERT AT WESTERN SONS DISTILLERY: The Beer Man plays 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Headliners Brave Combo play from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Stage Location: 217 W. Division St., walking distance of town square.
For more information, sponsorship and vendor opportunities, visit the event website at BonnieAndClydeDays.org.