Henrietta celebrates 95th Clay County Pioneer Reunion

HENRIETTA, Texas (KAUZ) - Clay County celebrates its 95th Pioneer Reunion, bringing the community together to celebrate its history and the people who help keep that history alive.

The organizers behind the week’s events started with an annual tradition, the Pioneer Luncheon, which recognizes the people and the year’s worth of work that goes into holding the Pioneer Reunion each year.

The reunion celebrates the families who settled in the area hundreds of years ago and helped build the community known today.

Murl Nelms, president of the Clay County Pioneer Association, said keeping younger generations connected to that past is important for their future.

“People 95 years ago had an idea and a plan, and to know that up to this point it’s been carried out. This old country wasn’t formed in fun and games. It was hard work, but just hope that they know that it takes work, but sometimes you can enjoy work,” Nelms said.

A nine-member board oversees the Pioneer Reunion. Board member Jacob Browning said the event is a special time, especially for younger generations.

“This is a big, big deal. Anybody that’s grown up in Clay County or around Clay County, known anybody in Clay County, they know that Pioneer Reunion’s nearly like celebrating Christmas with the family,” Browning said.

Board member Ty Chambers said he hopes everyone takes time to enjoy the week while remembering the role agriculture has played in Clay County.

“I hope that they take away the fellowship, the importance of agriculture in this area, because that is what built Clay County. And I just hope they have a great time,” Chambers said.

The week will include parades, themed days for school students and, of course, a rodeo.

The Pioneer Reunion continues throughout the week as the community comes together to celebrate Clay County’s history and traditions.