This year’s Garland Heritage Celebration provided free entertainment for all ages. There was live music by the Dogensteins and a Tom Petty tribute band, Petty Theft, as well as games, food and a new Landmark Museum exhibit on display at the Plaza Theatre.
Called ‘Garland Hats: Harry, William and John,’ the exhibit featured the last 100 years of hat manufacturing in Garland. It provided an interesting history of the big three hat makers, Harry Rolnick of Byer-Rolnick Hat Co., William C. Cook of Master Hatters and John Milano of Milano Hat Co. Additionally, the exhibit explained a connection between the three, which was that both Cook and Milano got their starts in the hat making industry as employees of Byer-Rolnick Hat Co.
Lots of Heritage Celebration attendees enjoyed giving the mechanical bull a try. District 5 Council Member Rich Aubin and District 8 Council Member Robert J. Smith had a showdown to see who could stay on the bull longer. Aubin won the most points on time, but Smith edged him out on points for style. Both predicted that they would be in pain the next day.
A live cowboy shootout provided laughs for everyone and kids got to try their skill in a hat throwing contest. This year’s scavenger event ended with participants receiving goody bags filled with Garland memorabilia. Historic downtown tours were also available for those wishing to learn more about the city’s history.
For those with a sweet tooth, a variety of cotton candy flavors were available as well as peanut brittle from Betty Ann’s and all kinds of candied apples. Downtown restaurant Dos Banderas offered delicious tamales and Intrinsic Brewery beers were available at an outdoor bar. Most of Garland’s Historic Downtown restaurants were open to give attendees a variety of great food items.
On the same weekend, the city also offered a free Film Noir Festival that featured six classic movies of the genre in the historic Plaza Theatre.