Each year, the Doan’s Crossing Picnic is held in Wilbarger County north of Vernon. It is the oldest running pioneer celebration in Texas, held the first Saturday in May since 1884. The old settlement of Doan’s Crossing is located about 12 miles north of Vernon close to the intersection of FM 2916 and FM 924, near where the old cattle drives used to cross the Red River. The celebration includes the coronation of a king and queen, country and western music and other activities. For decades the picnic was a gathering place where old timers would tell of the early days in this Red River settlement, passing their stories down to later generations.
TEXAS HISTORY NOTEBOOK 