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Vendor Norma Jean Leigh, of Amarillo, polished jewelry for the West Texas Western Swing Festival. The event will begin Wednesday night with the annual burgers and bean welcome dinner and informal jam session at The Coliseum.
Many western swing fans are arriving in Snyder, but one group of friends arrived on Saturday.
Vendors Larry and Norma Jean Leigh, of Amarillo, have attended the West Texas Western Swing Festival for 24 years, before it was a Snyder Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event.
Friends Gregg and Brenda Jones, of Seminole, began joining them in 1998 and Dave and Mary Jane Cape, of Albuquerque, N.M., started coming to the festival with the group in 2007.
The group comes together to help out with the vending, to dance and spend time with friends and family every year.
Brenda Jones said she and her husband are here despite Gregg Jones having heart surgery in March.
“It’s not just about the music and the dancing, it’s the comradery,” said Brenda Jones. “This is rehab for him.”
She also said that they do not have many relatives, but they have a lot of family within the western swing community.
“Two western swing families stopped by to visit when (Gregg Jones) was recuperating,” said Brenda Jones. “We are part of the Western Swing Prayer Network.”
Larry and Norma Jean Leigh said they enjoy coming to the Snyder festival because the people are nice.
“The people, city of Snyder, chamber and the places of business take care of us,” Norma Jean Leigh said.
Larry Leigh said they received an award for all the years they attended the festival in Snyder and Dave and Mary Jane Cape received one for helping others.
“This is what it’s about right here,” Larry Leigh said as he stretched his arms toward the group.
The group said they are looking forward Wednesday’s burgers and beans welcome dinner and informal jam session and all of the music Thursday through Saturday at The Coliseum. Tickets will be available at the door.