Bullard gets ready for 'Red, White & Blue' celebration

Bullard's annual Red, White and Blue Festival is beginning to move forward after music program chair nailed down the headliner for the event -- slated for Nov. 10 -- late last week.

Todd Fritsch -- a name known around East Texas -- will be the featured act for the festival's street dance, according to music chairman Mike Alexander.

"Todd's really an up and coming artist," Alexander said. "He'll be a big draw to the festival and to Bullard."

And Alexander ought to know: his daughter, Lauren, a staple in East Texas Country and Western music, will be the act preceding Fritsch.

Fritsch said two years and 200,000 miles might change most men, but neither the time nor the miles have really changed him; he said he's still the down-to-earth, two-stepping, cattle-ranching cowboy who burst onto the country music scene in 2005.

Alexander said Fritsch "owns" his vocals now, his band has gelled and his stage show is tighter, and he's writing more of his own material. His second CD "Sawdust" kicks off with "What's Wrong With Me." The track is punchy and dynamic and Fritsch's far-ranging vocals meld with the song's lyrics, making for a great radio record.

Fritsch won't deny that he hopes this track will boost him to the Billboard chart and place him at the top of the Music Row chart as well. "It's one of my goals for 2007," Fritsch said. "It's part of the reason we did the video -- and it's cool, with guest stars Roger Clemens and Eddy Raven, so there's sort of something for everyone."

In addition to Fritsch, local talent Lauren Alexander and "Nearly There," as well as area gospel groups will make a great backdrop to the rest of the festival.

The festival is a long-standing tradition, put together by the Bullard Chamber of Commerce. This is, however, the first year the festival has been moved to November.

Local events kick off with a carnival open downtown on Friday, Nov. 9. But events really gear up on Saturday, Nov. 10, beginning with a parade at 10 a.m. Entries will line up beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Bullard Middle School parking lot. There will be trophies for first, second and third place parade entries.

At noon all past and present members of the military who are present will be individually recognized with a token of appreciation from the chamber and a salute from a member of the armed forces.

Throughout the day there will be arts, crafts and other vendors, a car show, myriad children's activities including a clown, face painters, an obstacle course and pony rides, and a firefighter challenge.

For more information or to help volunteer for the event, call the Bullard Chamber of Commerce at 903-894-4238.