Bonham, Texas -- On Saturday, an alligator was stopping traffic on Fifth Street and a corporate jet lifting off Jones Field probably had the best view of a communitywide celebration that filled one of the oldest towns in Texas with revelers.

To say the least, March 29 was a fascinating day in historic downtown Bonham.

Saturday, March 29, 2025, was Fannin Agricultural Association's 3rd Annual Steaks on Main and the smoked 'gator, courtesy of L4 Construction, was just one of many hors d’oeuvres served to the crowd by teams competing for $5,000 of prize money in a cook-off that pitted some of the region's best grilling teams against each other in a friendly competition.

A ribeye is known as a Scotch fillet in Australia and New Zealand, or entrecôte in French cuisine, and a tomahawk ribeye may soon take its place as the official Steak of Texas. On Saturday a panel of lucky judges took their places around the table at Bonham Visitor Center to sample hot-off-the-grill steaks and decide which ribeye would earn its team the top prize of $2,000.

When the smoke cleared from the grills, the 2025 winner was Weber Ninja.  Patterson Electric took second place worth $1,500, Pierson & Fendley Insurance won third place worth $750, Edge Aviation placed fourth and won $500, and C&A Farms rounded out the top five with a $250 fifth place finish.

2025 First Place - Weber Ninja (L-R) Cody Maxwell, Amy Lindsey and Landon Shinpaugh of Fannin Agricultural Association, the first-place winner, and Blaine Alexander, Christy Flanagan and Jessica Withrow of Fannin Agricultural Association

Any organization would be proud to hang their hat on this event that has blossomed into a rite of spring, and what Fannin Agricultural Association has managed to accomplish in only three years is remarkable. The association has raised $56,000 for Fannin County FFA and 4-H programs over the last two years.

But Steaks on Main is more than a good cause -- it's a larruping good time. In three years, Fannin Agricultural Association has brought Texas music stars Jason Boland (2023), Cody Canada (2024) and this year's headliner, Cory Morrow to town.

The Cory Morrow Band

 So, there was plenty of good food, a good time and a rural community that sat down to break bread together for a good cause. To borrow a line from a Cory Morrow song, for a little while Saturday night, we were all time-travelin' through Texas.

"I wanna go time travelin' through Texas you and me
I wanna be there, breathe the air and see all I can see."
-- Cory Morrow

Fannin Agricultural Association President Jaylen Wallace (right) briefs the judges.

Second Place - Patterson Electric

Third Place - Fendley Insurance

Fourth Place - Edge Aviation

Fifth Place - C&A Farms

Teams prepare hors d'oeuvres for visitors.

The Bear Creek Ranch outfit seasons steaks.

Pure D Cattle of Savoy, Texas finishes up a bunch of ribeyes.

A corporate jet lifts off Jones Field and passes over the celebration.

The Lackey boys were stopping traffic on 5th Street with their 'gator bites.

The Rattan boys are all business as they go to work preparing steaks.

Big John has his grill fired up.

The Poole Board Company springs into action!

John Carroll, talented lead guitarist for Cory Morrow

Cory Morrow

photos by Allen Rich