22nd Annual Old Blanco County Courthouse Gala to Be Held September 29

Once again, the Old Blanco County Courthouse Preservation Society is sponsoring an elegant evening on the grounds of the historic Old Blanco County Courthouse. The theme of this year’s Gala is “Rhinestones and Ropers." Dinner, which begins at 6 p.m., will be catered by Riley’s Custom Catering and will include the following menu items: An Appetizer Station that will include various cheeses, meats, & crackers, an All You Can Eat Garden Salad, and Entree which will include Prime Rib or Chicken Breast, Green Beans with New Potatoes, and dinner rolls. If that isn't enough, then make way for dessert - New York Cheesecake! Music before and during dinner will be provided by Dave McCullough. Guests can bid on Silent Auction items donated by local merchants and artisans. A Live Auction will follow dinner, including an autographed Darrell Royal football and a signed George Strait guitar.

Tickets are $50 and may be reserved by calling (830) 833-2211 or by mailing your payment with the names of attendees to OBCCPS, P.O. Box 302, Blanco, Texas 78606.

Free True Grit Movie Showing

Friday evening, at sundown on Sept. 28, 2012, will kick-off the weekend’s festivities with a FREE showing of the recent remake of "True Grit" on the courthouse lawn, weather permitting. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets! The courthouse was the site of the filming of the courtroom scene in the Coen Brothers re-make of the old John Wayne classic. The LBJ National Historic Park has graciously made this possible.

Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament

Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m., the third annual “True Grit” Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament will begin on the second floor of the courthouse. Participants are asked to be seated by 10:00AM. The Grand Prize is a VIP trip to Las Vegas (there is a $200 airfare allowance), but prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners with Re-Buys and Re-Fresh available during the tournament. Early registration (before September 29, 2012) is $50 per person. Entrance fee the day of the tournament is $60 per person. Registration is limited to the first 100 entrants. To register, mail names of players and registration fees to OBCCPS, P.O. Box 302, Blanco, TX 78606. For more information, call (830) 833-2211 or Mable Rollins at (210) 393 3377, or e-mail her at .

Proceeds from the gala will be used for the continuing restoration and maintenance of the historic building, one of the few original Texas courthouse buildings owned by the community. The courthouse, designated a Texas Historic Landmark, retains the aura of a bygone age. It is the jewel of the town of Blanco and a source of pride to every resident. It is supported largely by private donations and contributions. Upcoming projects include renovating additional rooms and repairing the floor in the upstairs courtroom. Now that landscaping of the grounds is complete, other exterior projects include painting and restoring the historic cresting atop the building.