Tyler County Dogwood Festival

The Tyler County Dogwood Festival is held annually in the spring in Woodville, the county seat of Tyler County. In 1938 at a public meeting called to consider the completion of U.S. Highway 190, Judge James E. Wheat introduced the idea for a spring festival celebrating the natural beauty and abundance of dogwood trees in the area. Acting upon his idea, the Tyler County Chamber of Commerce sponsored the first Dogwood Festival in 1940. Because of World War II, no festivals were held from 1942 to 1945. The third Tyler County Dogwood Festival was held in 1946, and the festival has continued to be an annual event. The Tyler County Dogwood Festival Association was incorporated in 1946 for the purposes of sponsoring the festival, planting and preserving dogwood trees, and promoting Tyler County history. In 1948 the association began publishing an annual booklet highlighting specific aspects of Tyler County history. The festival was expanded to two consecutive weekends in 1968 in order to include events on a western theme. Several customs have evolved, including the crowning of the Dogwood Festival Queen and a historical pageant. Activities have included parades, trail rides, dances, and an arts and crafts show.