Houston Founder’s Day 2018, bigger and better than ever

HOUSTON — The annual Houston Founder’s Day festival manages to grow each year, pulling in hundreds of people throughout the annual event. Houston Fire Department Chief Christian Hartley affirmed that this year was noticeably busier than the one before Saturday.

“Founders Day was busier and more trafficked this year than last year, for sure. With new events like the earthquake simulator, blood drive, and fire dancing from AK Fire Circus, and as well as activities like archery and tomahawk throwing to the schedule, there was a lot of action,” Hartley said.

Troves of people gathered at the Houston Fire Station for a slew of activities, games, and spectacles for all ages. It was also a chance to listen to live music, grab a free hot dog and shop from local vendors and food trucks. It’s the city’s biggest celebration of the year, with family and community at its core, according to Hartley.

“And that's on top of our regular events like the Society of Creative Anachronisms knights, kids fans, turkey shoot, live music from The Wild Cat Trio, and parade,” Hartley said.

There seemed to be something for just about everyone on Founder’s day, especially families. Most of the events — save a few Houston High School fundraisers — were free of charge. Volunteers fired up a huge grill and handed out free hot dogs, soda and water to attendees. The full incorporation of the 2nd annual Alaska BBQ Competition was very well received this year, according to Hartley. There was a a People's Taste table sponsored by Three Bears and Triple J Roadhouse for people to choose the best local flavor of the year.

Aside from the fireworks at the end, the parade is surely one of the most iconic and sought after components of each Founder’s Day, especially on years like this. This is a big year for elections so many politicians filled up the parade. In fact, most of the floats were political, save a few creative displays like the army of witches dancing with brooms- all led by Willow Witch, or as you many know her, “The Witch of Willow.” This is the second year she’s been in the Houston Founder’s Day parade and her second time in a parade, period.

“It went pretty well,” Willow said.

Willow and about 17 other women and one man all donned witchy wardrobes and danced with their brooms in the parade and afterwards, performed their own original routine based on the viral internet video, “Wolfshäger Hexenbrut - Witches Dance "Schüttel deine Speck.” They spent about 4 weeks practicing and Willow said she plans to practice more and add another dance next year.

“We’re only going bigger and better,” Willow said.

Many attendees gathered around the witch dance, to the right of the fire station, many of them recording on their phones. Willow has only been in Houston for a couple years after moving around a bit since she had her divorce and left her infamous location that drew in countless locals and tourists alike. She said that the people in Houston have been accepting and she plans on sticking around. Her roots are settling into the community, which she said is full of potential.

“The town is up and coming,” Willow said.

It’s been 52 years since Houston was officially established and this Founder’s Day was the 34th one, with plenty more on the horizon. There’s no sign of anything slowing down either.

“We don’t ever stay put,” Willow said.