BURTON COTTON GIN FESTIVAL TO CELEBRATE THE GIN’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

Frank Wagner April 24, 2014

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It was 100 years ago this year that the Burton Cotton Gin began its operation. The Gin quickly became the major industry for Burton, producing enough cotton to make thousands of sheets and shirts and other important products.

The Burton Cotton Gin closed in the 1970s after operating over 50 years. This year’s Burton Cotton Gin Festival is dedicated to celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the Gin and its preservation. Linda Russell, the director of the Cotton Gin Museum says a centennial celebration is the highlight of the festival.

The Burton Cotton Gin fesatival has become a great place to gather for fun, food and tours of the Cotton Gin.

Russell says you can see the cotton being ginned during the festival and the tour guides will be attired in the garb of cotton gin workers from 100 years ago.

This is the 25^th annual Cotton Gin Festival. The Festival was organized in the 1980s in order to preserve the Cotton Gin, and to raise funds for the Cotton Gin Museum.

Russell says the Shrimp Boil has already sold out but the major festivities go on all day Saturday.

The parade begins at 10am, and throughout the day the festival will feature a variety of entertainment including the Shiner Hobo Band, the Hill Top Wranglers and Alison Crowson.

The Festival will also have an antique car and tractor show, a bubble gum blowing contest, food booths and a multiple children activities.

Russell says they will have a ‘cotton pickin’ good time’ from 10 to eight Saturday.