Draft:Culture of Kilgore

Kilgore is the home of the Mount Tabor Indian Community, a cultural heritage organization and nonprofit organization.^[1]

Rangerettes

The Kilgore College Rangerettes, founded in 1940, known for being the worlds-first precision drill team, their high-kick routines and disciplined formations. Based in Kilgore, Texas, they gained fame for their performances at college football halftimes and have become a symbol of American spirit and tradition. The Rangerettes wear their iconic red, white, and blue uniforms with white boots and are celebrated for their athleticism and precision in both national and international performances. The Rangerettes performs in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, showcasing their iconic high-kicks and their precision drills. Their performance alongside artists like Mariah Carey adds a vibrant energy to the parade, blending Texas spirit with the grandeur of New York City and the holiday tradition.

Texas Shakespeare Festival

Kilgore is home to the Texas Shakespeare Festival, an annual summer repertory company. Founded in 1986, the Texas Shakespeare Festival presents four shows in rotating repertory every summer at the Van Cliburn Auditorium on the campus of Kilgore College.

Kilgore Public Library

Based on the style of Normandy cottages, construction of the Kilgore Public Library began in 1933 and was completed in 1939. The New Deal agencies, the Public Works Administration and Works Progress Administration of the President Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, participated in the construction.

East Texas Pipe Organ Festival

Every November, Kilgore hosts the East Texas Pipe Organ Festival, which honors the work of pipe organ voicer Roy Perry (1906–1978). Perry, a longtime resident of Kilgore, worked for the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company, and he oversaw the construction of highly regarded pipe organs at St. Mark's Cathedral (Shreveport, Louisiana) and Washington National Cathedral.^[2]

Kilgore Film Festival

The Kilgore Film Festival began in 1998 under the sponsorship of KTPB, the former public radio station of Kilgore College.^[3] Each year a festival is held in the Spring and Fall offering moviegoers a chance to see unique and award-winning selections. The festival is held at Kilgore's 4 Star Cinema.

Great Texas Balloon Race

Kilgore plays a supportive role in the Great Texas Balloon Race at the nearby East Texas Regional Airport and having its community participate in the festivities. While Longview is the primary host city, Kilgore's involvement enhances regional pride and fosters collaboration between the two cities. Local residents actively engage in the celebrations, supporting businesses and enjoying the aerial spectacle that brings both communities together.

Van Cliburn Auditorium

Van Cliburn who was raised in Kilgore, Texas was a renowned American pianist From the age of six, Van Cliburn lived in Kilgore; he became an internationally known classical pianist, and cultural icon. He is the namesake for Van Cliburn Auditorium on the Kilgore College campus.

Museums

The East Texas Oil Museum, located in Kilgore, Texas, offers visitors a glimpse into the region's oil-rich history, particularly the dramatic events of the early 1930s oil boom. Known as the "Boom Town," Kilgore became a central hub of activity when oil was discovered in the East Texas Oil Field, one of the largest in the world. The museum recreates this period with life-sized dioramas, depicting the rough-and-tumble life of the oil workers, derricks, and the bustling streets of Kilgore during the oil boom. Visitors can explore the rise of Kilgore from a small town to a booming center of oil production, shaping the economic and cultural landscape of East Texas

The Rangerette Showcase and Museum, located on the campus of Kilgore College, is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history and legacy of the world-renowned Kilgore College Rangerettes. This museum offers visitors an immersive experience, featuring a wide array of memorabilia, photographs, costumes, and video footage that document the journey of the world’s first precision drill team since its founding in 1940. The showcase highlights the Rangerettes' contributions to collegiate and performance arts, with special exhibits on their appearances in events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Dallas Cowboys halftime show at AT&T Stadium, and the Cotton Bowl. Through interactive displays, the museum provides a glimpse into the rigorous training, discipline, and spirit that have made the Rangerettes iconic, all while honoring their role in shaping Kilgore's cultural identity.

References

^ Brewer, Graham Lee; Ahtone, Tristan (27 December 2021). "In Texas, a group claiming to be Cherokee faces questions about authenticity". NBC News. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
^ http://www.easttexaspipeorganfestival.com/
^ "Kilgore Film Festival celebrates ten years of unique movies". Kilgore News Herald. 21 September 2008. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011.

[1] Brewer, Graham Lee; Ahtone, Tristan (27 December 2021). "In Texas, a group claiming to be Cherokee faces questions about authenticity". NBC News. Retrieved 28 May 2022.

[2] ttp://www.easttexaspipeorganfestival.com/

[3] "Kilgore Film Festival celebrates ten years of unique movies". Kilgore News Herald. 21 September 2008. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011.

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