Houston Founders Day returns from pandemic with high attendance

HOUSTON — The annual Houston Founder’s Day went off without a hitch, returning to the limelight with lots of vendors, large crowds, enthusiastic contest participants, and several spectacles such as the community parade, fireworks show, and a new aviation performance.

“It went great. We didn’t have any problems. It seemed like everyone had a lot of fun. We weren’t sure how many people would attend. So, we were happy with the attendance, considering we had to cancel last year. I think it was awesome,” Houston Mayor Virgie Thompson said.

Hunter Lewis and Jasmine Gagnon won this year’s egg toss competition. Lewis said that he was supremely excited they were able to pull it off, especially since they only practiced for about an hour earlier that day.

“I looked at her and I was like, ‘we got this,’” Lewis said with a laugh. “It was a lot of fun.”

Gagnon and Lewis walked away with $50 each for winning the egg toss. Gagnon quickly called her mom to tell her about her victory. She said that she’s attended Founder’s Day most of her life and waited a long time for this day.

“I’ve been wanting to win this every year,” Gagnon said.

Thompson said there was a huge overall participation rate in this year’s egg toss, pie-eating contests, and other competitions with highly invested community members of all ages readily giving their all to come out on top.

“I think we could’ve done it every hour on the hour. People just get so excited,” Thompson said with a laugh.

Thompson said that she’s thankful they were able to get back to this cherished gathering and she’s hopeful it will continue to grow with the people of Houston and greater Mat-Su Valley for years to come. She said many people mark their calendars for this event and many households start family traditions each time they put this event on.

“It’s really important. It’s an amazing community event. You get to see people you don’t get to see all the time,” Thompson said.

Thompson’s tradition for Founder’s Day is putting on a white and red cap and sweater to hide amongst the crowd in the spirit of the classic book series, “Where’s Waldo?” She was seen putting on the pie-eating contest and other events in her Waldo outfit.

Thompson thanked the large pool of dedicated volunteers from all walks of life who dedicated their time and resources to make this event happen.

“It takes a whole team and we’ve got a really good team this year,” Thompson said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com