KESA

AT THE KERENS LIBRARY
DOWNTOWN KERENS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5

Before he was the 55-foot cowboy Texans know today, Big Tex was Santa Claus. 🎅🤠

The story started in Kerens, Texas, where local merchants built a 49-foot Santa in 1949 to encourage people to shop locally during Christmas.

A few years later, the State Fair of Texas bought the giant figure for $750. Artist Jack Bridges transformed Santa into a cowboy, and in 1952, Big Tex made his State Fair debut.

More than 70 years later, he's one of the most recognizable symbols in Texas.

From a small-town Christmas promotion to a Texas icon.

How many Texans actually knew Big Tex started out as Santa?

🇺🇸 Step back into the 1940s and help us celebrate America’s 250th birthday!

Join us Friday, October 16, for God Bless America: A WWII Radio Hour, written and performed by Shellie O’Neal. As fictional radio host Sally Brennan, Shellie brings history to life through six beloved American anthems, the stories behind them and entertaining radio commercials from the era.

📅 Friday, October 16, 2026
🍽️ Soup dinner served at 5:00 p.m.
🎙️ Performance begins at 6 p.m.
📍 KESA Building, Kerens
🎟️ Tickets: $10 in advance or $15 at the door

Presented in partnership by Kerens Veterans Memorial, KESA and the Kerens Cotton Harvest Festival.

KESA 2026 HOMECOMING GOLF
CLOSEST TO PIN on HOLE #4

WINNER was BOBBY BAIN.

KESA 2026 HOMECOMING GOLF
CLOSEST TO PIN on HOLE #2
WINNER was COLE ARMSTRONG.
His dad, MIKE ARMSTRONG is accepting the prize.

KESA 2026 HOMECOMING GOLF
FIRST PLACE TEAM Members are

GREG PRIDDY
JAKE MERRICK
PERRY WILLETT
MARIANO GONZALES

KESA ANNUAL MEETING
is on Saturday, September 19 at 11:30 am.

Come hear how KESA is paying it forward to the students and staff of KERENS ISD and the community.

KESA new awnings are now in place.
The original awnings were placed in 2010 and beyond repair.
We are ready for HOMECOMING 2026!!

The GOLDEN CLASS of KHS 1976