This coming Saturday, Fairfield citizens of old will be back in town, in the form of marionettes created by Fairfield Junior High students.
“Once Upon A Time” will highlight Freestone County citizens of the past on September 15, 2018 on the courthouse square. The marionettes will interact with the public, teaching a bit of hometown history.
Twenty of Rachel Bossier’s gifted and talent students have been hard at work stringing puppets together in the likeness of local historical figures such as:
–John Parker – who ran the Bonner ferry at Parker’s Bluff that allowed passage across the Trinity River,
–David Hall Love – who originally donated the land to establish the town of Fairfield,
–Keechi Indians – who lived in the area and came to town to trade,
–Joseph Paxton Philpott – a farmer who survived an Indian attack,
–Gail – a ranch hand who also made moonshine,
–Texas Ranger Tim Willard – who was killed on a whiskey still raid,
–Fagan – a big-time moonshine whiskey maker.
The Fairfield students have been researching the history of these and other citizens from oral stories, history books, and searches of the internet.
Not only have they created marionettes, but also have written and recorded poems and songs about each person.
Participating in the project this year includes Hudson Little, Skylar Bonner, Luke Cruce, Aaron Evans, Jason Salomon, Anderson, Elizabeth Salomon, Johnnie Sims, Casey Couture, Jase Schick, Ronni Walia, Benjamin Kilkenny, Mason Edwards, Austin Smith, Newton, Logan Campbell, Devin Bonner, Preston Scott, Bailey Holland, and Jesse Schick.
The marionette project will be displayed at a later date at the Freestone County Museum, the Fairfield Library, and the County Fair.
(Photos by Karen Leidy)
