Families came out for the second annual Fess Parker “Fess-tival” on Saturday, to celebrate the local actor’s 101st birthday, and share in Fort Concho’s history programs, and, naturally — the Davy Crockett lookalike contest.
Parker grew up in San Angelo, and lived on Jackson Street, where he attended Stephen F Austin Elementary, and graduated from the old Angelo High School in 1942.
After serving in the Navy, he made his fame acting in classic Hollywood films as Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, and later in other notable films like “Old Yeller” and “The Great Locomotive Chase”.
Though kids aren’t playing that much “cowboys and Indians” on the playground anymore, during the show’s original run it was a nationwide phenomenon.
Just about every kid in America had a “coon-skin cap.”
Parker was a supporter of the early San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, originally located at the fort.
Fort Education lead Sarah Thieme taught the children how to play croquet, based on original 1878 rules found in a Boston book of games. If you couldn’t quite get the knack, horseshoes were available.
A brief “400-year history” of period firearms followed, with a live firing demonstration.
Wrapping up with the lookalike contest: there were no adult entries, so the kids swept up the $150 prize purse.
The event began last year to commemorate the actors 100th birthday, organized by former City Councilman Larry Miller. All the art in the showcases was provided by the Parker family back in California.
The parents had a lot of fun learning about the frontier, and the kids were definitely happy about the prize money. Hopefully they won’t spend too much on video games.
