Blog

A Night of Royal Tradition

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

The Coronation of Queen Yam Danica Jo Vestal. Tradition, pageantry, and Yamboree pride filled the Gilmer Civic Center on Wednesday evening, October 14, 2026, as Danica Jo Vestal was crowned the 89th East Texas Yamboree Queen.Before an audience gathered to witness one of the festival’s most cherished traditions, Yamboree President Janice Gage placed the royal scepter upon Queen Danica hands, marking the beginning of her reign and another memorable chapter in the history of the East Texas Yamboree.The daughter of BJ and Sabrina Vestal, Queen Danica made a breathtaking entrance in an elegant baby-blue gown complemented by a regal mantle and magnificent sweeping train. More than 5,000 beads and gemstones adorned the ensemble, catching the stage lights and sparkling throughout the evening as she made her way across the coronation stage.Representing the Gilmer Rotary Club, Queen Danica was escorted by Eli Duvall.The Queen’s Coronation has long been one of the signature events of the East Texas Yamboree, bringing together generations of families and community members in celebration of a tradition that has become synonymous with the festival. A second coronation performance was presented Thursday evening as Yamboree festivities continued through Saturday night.Adding to the evening’s sense of tradition was the formal presentation of 88th East Texas Yamboree Queen Mia René Gage, symbolically connecting one Yamboree reign to the next.Also presented was Princess Sophia Dean, Duchess of the Bluebonnet Literary Club, along with the Ladies-in-Waiting, visiting duchesses, escorts, and the Queen’s child attendants. Together, the members of the royal court filled the stage with the elegance and pageantry that have distinguished the Queen’s Coronation for generations.For Queen Danica Jo Vestal, the evening was more than the placing of a crown. It was a moment surrounded by family, friends, community, and nearly nine decades of Yamboree tradition, a night of celebration that will forever hold a special place in the story of the 89th East Texas Yamboree.... Read More

Twenty Seasons. Countless Memories. A Lifetime Behind the Lens.

Thursday, October 08, 2026

Today marks my 20th season as a photographer for the East Texas Yamboree.As photographers, we are entrusted with something extraordinary, the ability to freeze a fleeting moment in someone’s life, preserving it as a memory they can revisit for a lifetime. A single photograph can hold a story, an emotion, a milestone, or a chapter of someone's life that time can never take away.As I reflect on these past two decades, I realize just how many lives have passed before my lens. I have witnessed young faces grow into adults, dreams turn into careers, and generations come full circle. Some have become successful doctors, lawyers, teachers, and leaders in their communities. Others have become parents, raising families of their own and beginning new chapters in the beautiful cycle of life.And somewhere along the way, a thought occurred to me.While I spent twenty years freezing moments in other people's lives, perhaps, in some ways, I had frozen a part of my own.The world around me continued to change. People grew older, pursued their ambitions, built families, and moved on to different seasons of their lives. Yet, year after year, I remained behind the camera, watching, documenting, and preserving the moments that mattered to them.There is something both beautiful and bittersweet about that realization.Twenty years later, I am still the photographer. Still standing behind the lens. Still searching for that perfect moment when time seems to stand still.Perhaps my life wasn't truly frozen after all. Perhaps it was quietly unfolding through the countless lives I was privileged to photograph.Because while everyone else was busy making memories, I was there making sure those memories would never be forgotten.Twenty seasons later, the faces have changed, the generations have grown, and the stories continue. But my purpose remains the same, to capture a moment today that someone will treasure for a lifetime.... Read More

The 89th East Texas Yamboree has been announced!

Saturday, June 27, 2026

Congratulations to Danica Vestal, the newly crowned 89th East Texas Yamboree Queen elect!Danica is the daughter of BJ and Sabrina Vestal and proudly represents the Gilmer Rotary Club.An upcoming senior at Union Grove High School, Danica is an accomplished student athlete, participating in varsity basketball, volleyball, track, and cross country. She is also an active member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the National Honor Society, demonstrating her commitment to leadership, academics, and service.Danica's love for the East Texas Yamboree has been evident for many years. She danced in the Yamboree Pageant for five years, competed in the Tater Trot for four years, volunteered at the No Limits Livestock Show for three years, and has proudly participated in numerous Yamboree parades and community events.Her enthusiasm, dedication, and genuine love for the Yamboree tradition make her an outstanding ambassador for this cherished East Texas celebration.Congratulations, Danica! We look forward to an incredible year as you represent the 89th East Texas Yamboree with grace, pride, and hometown spirit.... Read More

2nd Woman Elected to Lead East Texas Yamboree

Tuesday, May 05, 2026

Meet Janice Gage, the 89th President of the East Texas Yamboree. Janice is honored to serve in this distinguished role and proud to be only the second woman in the event’s history to hold the position.For the past 19 years, Janice has served the Gilmer community as a Farmers Insurance agent, building her business on a foundation of trust, integrity, and strong hometown values.She is deeply involved in civic and community service, contributing her time and leadership to organizations such as the Industrial Foundation, Rotary, Alpha Nu Epsilon Sorority, the 20th Century Club, the Gilmer Area Chamber of Commerce Board, BNI, and the Yamboree Board of Directors. She also faithfully serves her church, reflecting her enduring commitment to faith, service, and community.For more than 20 years, Janice, alongside her husband Richard and their family, has dedicated herself to the Yamboree in countless ways - supporting, volunteering, and helping ensure the continued success of one of Gilmer’s most treasured traditions.Janice and Richard are the proud parents of seven children and nine grandchildren, and they cherish the values of family, community, and service that the Yamboree represents.They cordially invite you to join them in celebrating the 89th anniversary of the Yamboree and to experience the very best of this cherished hometown tradition.... Read More

Mia Gage was crowned the 88th East Texas Yamboree Queen

Monday, October 20, 2025

Mia Gage was crowned the 88th East Texas Yamboree Queen... Read More

Mia Rene Gage is the Queen-Elect and will be the 88th East Texas Yamboree Queen. She’s representing the 20th Century Club.

Wednesday, July 02, 2025

Mia Rene Gage is the Queen-Elect and will be the 88th East Texas Yamboree Queen. She’s representing the 20th Century Club.... Read More

Devarjay “DJ” Daniel visits Gilmer, TX

Wednesday, April 09, 2025

DJ was diagnosed with terminal brain and spine cancer when he was just 6 years old.Despite undergoing 13 surgeries, the Texas boy’s determination to become a police officer has never wavered. In 2019, he was first sworn in as an officer by the Brookshire Police Department in Texas.When he was initially given five months to live, he set a goal of being sworn in by 100 police departments.Since then, he has been sworn in by 926 police departments across the U.S. and beyond, including recently in Gilmer PD and other Upshur County (TX) Law enforcement.... Read More

Mural Unveiled

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Gilmer Area Chamber of Commerce unveils New Mural... Read More

87th East Texas Yamboree Queen Announced!

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Gilmer, Texas — Friday night was the announcement of the 87th East Texas Yamboree Queen, Katie Ella Henson and this year’s Princess is Taylor Campbell at Queen’s Announcement dinner held at the Silver Alley Event Center.This year’s Yam Queen is a student from from Harmony High School.This moment is a realization of Katie's long-time dream to be a part of a long Henson dynasty of Yamboree Royalty that started with 71st Yamboree Queen Stephanie Lynn Henson, 74th Yamboree Queen Drew Danielle Henson-Hill, 78th Yamboree Queen Jayce Savanna Finch Henson and 84th Yamboree Queen Hannah Jean Henson.The festival, which began in 1935, has been held annually with the exception of three year period during WWII and Covid 19 in 2020. Over one hundred thousand people attend the 4-day event in October.The Queen’s Coronation will be held at the Gilmer Civic Center on the night of October 16, 2024 and again on the night of October 17, 2024.... Read More