WOODVILLE –In 1941, Judge James E. Wheat, the founding father of the Dogwood Festival, eloquently described the significance of the dogwood in an invitation address: “The faithful dogwood has proclaimed the passing of winter and the coming of Spring. Each succeeding generation has enjoyed its beauty and looked upon it as a good omen. From its opening, the farmer has decided when to plant his crops, the sportsman when to go fishing, and the politician when to announce for office.”
In Tyler County, the annual festival certainly highlights the beautiful renewal and healing afforded by the spring season, as it has for eight decades now. This weekend, which is Queen’s Weekend, will see the conclusion of the festival once again, and the crowning of a new Dogwood Queen.
What began as a humble one-day gathering in 1940 has since evolved into a festival spanning three weekends, filled with events and cherished traditions. Year after year, the Dogwood Festival continues to unite the community, celebrating the enduring beauty of East Texas and the spirit of those who call it home.
The theme of the 2026 Dogwood Festival is “The Ties That Bind,” and the traditional historical play that highlights a piece of the county’s history will highlight the tradition of faith within the county’s story.
The coronation and play will take place Saturday, April 4, at the Joe E. Wheat Amphitheater, and will begin at 7 p.m. with pre-show activities, followed by the show at 7:30 p.m.
Before the play, the new queen will be crowned, and she will be presented with her crown, scepter and a beautiful dogwood ring to commemorate her reign.
Tickets to the event and the commemorative Dogwood Festival books are on sale now, for $10 each, at Sullivan’s Hardware; McClure’s Furniture; Everything U; Dixie’s Vintage Vogue and Tolar Feed. Also of note: for the first time in the festival’s history, all tickets are general admission; there is no more reserved seating.
The reigning Dogwood Queen is Lily Grace Read, from Chester. Read is currently attending Angelina College, and plans to transfer to Stephen F. Austin State University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in agriculture communications. She considers being crowned the 82nd Dogwood Queen a tremendous honor, and she is looking forward to this year’s festival, and getting to know the young women participating.
Be sure and check out the Dogwood Festival’s history, schedule of events and various other festival-related fun in our special Dogwood section inside this issue.
