Friday, September 2, 2016

FCAA'S DRIVEN FILM FESTIVAL OVERVIEW

BANKHEAD HIGHWAY DRIVEN FILM FESTIVAL (September 9-10)----------This April (2016), the Optic-Herald reported approximately 40 vintage cars took time to circle the Mt. Vernon plaza, stopping 30 minutes before continuing on their trip commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Bankhead Highway.  That was 15 minutes more than was reported SEVENTY-NINE years ago in May of 1937.  The Optic article at that time titled “Goodwill Caravan Welcomed by Band.” reported the time as exactly 2:49 Sunday afternoon.  Music blaring, a group of boosting townsmen welcomed the big Broadway of America Caravan of 35-40 automobiles.  The 2016 group was on its way to Odessa, Texas but the 1937 group was going across the country from San Diego, California to New York City. 

The Bankhead/Broadway of America traversed Mt. Vernon’s Main Street and was an early transcontinental highway.  Drivers and passengers in the mobile contraptions of the early days traveled at 10 miles an hour and watched in amazement as the fence posts flew by.  The Bankhead was a major reason for small town prosperity in its heyday.  Today, bypasses leave merchants fretting, but the Texas Historical Commission and Texas Tourism are working to reestablish the route’s former glory and increase traveler awareness of small town Texas. 

The DRIVEN Film Festival at the FCAA Cultural Arts Center in Mt. Vernon kicks off Friday, September 9th at 6 p.m. with a Tallulah Bankhead Glitz & Glamour Soiree.  Saturday, September 10th begins with films at 2 p.m. to include the Texas Historical Commission Bankhead Highway‘s competition videos collected to promote tourism and awareness of the Bankhead’s role in early Texas prosperity. 


Film personality both in front and behind the camera, Brad Maule will be speaking and showing a student film he directed.  The evening focuses on Jazz Fusion music by the Convivial Society and closes with Maule’s entertaining expertise.  Please call Jean at 903-305-8023 or Christian at franklincountyarts@gmail.com for more information about the film festival.  Sorry, website not current. 

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