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In what’s quickly becoming a highly anticipated annual event, the City of Magnolia and the Magnolia Community Foundation (MCF) have set Aug. 18 as the date for the second annual Magnolia Tailgate Party on the Stroll.

‘Last year’s turnout was amazing,” MCF President Deborah Rose Miller said. “And this year, more is being planned for all ages. It is a great way to end the summer with a family-friendly evening that celebrates all school activities with the entire community.”

Miller said there will be a few enhancements to this year’s event.

“The biggest change is two-fold,” she said. “First the bands and other groups will have performances throughout the evening on four side streets around the Stroll, instead of just one big performance. The other will be a district-wide pep rally at Sullivan Park at 7:30 p.m.”

Groups performing will be the various bands, drill teams, drumlines, cheerleaders and others from the Magnolia schools.

Karaoke has been added to this year’s event, while the Magnolia Rotary Club will have a dunking booth. Football coaches and principals from both Magnolia High School and Magnolia West High School will be inside the booth taunting tossers who will pay $1 for each throw. Proceeds from the dunking booth will benefit the Magnolia ISD athletic programs.

“The dunking booth we have this year is brand new and bigger,” Miller said.

Booster club’s from the various schools will have booths set up to sell spirit items, while other vendor and food booths will be set up along the Stroll. Vendor and food booth spots are still available for $50.

MCF has also set up a contest that offers a $500 cash prize to the school that receives the most likes on the MCF Facebook page.

“The evening will not only be a great party for all ages, but will benefit our community in tangible ways, especially the children,” Miller said. “Seeing all the kids come together in one place is something I am really excited about.”

Miller said the idea for the tailgate party came after a brainstorming session of MCF members.

“The tailgate was a creation of the Stroll committee and Ravelle Smith, who originated the concept,” she said.

There is no charge to attend the tailgate, however alcohol is not allowed. Students are encouraged to wear their activity uniform or attire to the event.

The entrance to the Stroll is located at Sullivan Park, at the intersection of FM 1488 and FM 1774. For more information or to purchase booth space call 713-806-3453, visit magnoliacommunityfoundation.org, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

A recent weekend offered two community events just hours apart for Magnolia residents to enjoy. The second annual Tailgate Party, held on The Stroll Aug. 18, had a large turnout – that is, until a major thunderstorm drowned out the festivities a bit early. Football teams, marching bands, cheerleaders and flag drill teams from both Magnolia high schools provided a celebratory spirit to get everyone in the mood for cheering.

Magnolia Community Foundation President Deborah Rose Miller initiated enhancements to this year’s event, such as rotating performances at several Stroll locations, rather than just one main location and a combined pep rally for both area high schools. The crowd enthusiastically applauded the performers and chomped on goodies from the food stands. A dunking booth, sponsored by the Magnolia Rotary Club, was a popular attraction that offered people a chance to soak the high school coaches and principals. All proceeds benefited the Magnolia ISD athletic programs.

This year’s Tailgate Party had 36 vendors and an estimated 2,000 attendees, which was approximately a 10 percent increase over last year.

“Things had just started really buzzing and then a huge thunderstorm forced us to shut down,” said Miller, “but we expect next year’s event to be even bigger and better.”

The Community Foundation wants the Tailgate Party to continue to build community spirit among residents and students.

Also that evening, the Montgomery County Search & Rescue organization held its annual fundraiser at the Montgomery County Community Building in Magnolia. The barbeque plate sales and silent auction raised more than $18,000 this year.

The organization operates solely with volunteers, but needs money for operational expenses, training and equipment repairs, according to Vice President J. Carter Miller.

Montgomery County Search & Rescue offers services to people in need of locating missing family members. For more information, or to volunteer to help the organization, visit the website at www.moscar.org.

Also on hand at the fundraiser were booths from civic and emergency response organizations such as Montgomery County CPS, Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Montgomery County Sheriff Citizen’s Academy, Texas Wheels of Justice and Montgomery County Emergency Management.