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Get fired up! East Texas offers plethora for July 4th
 Reprint from Longview News Journal - 6/29/2009 - Skies will light up above Northeast Texas throughout the coming Independence Day weekend.
'We want to kick off the holiday,' said Margo Talley, a founding member of the Longview League of Business Owners. LOBO sponsors the annual fireworks display launched from the Longview Fairgrounds on July 3rd where the $37,500 show will be launched, and a band is scheduled, is $100 per carload. Donations also will be accepted at the gate, Talley said.
'The city still does give us some money, but 80 percent of it is still raised from the community,' Talley said. 'It's still one of the largest fireworks shows in East Texas that is put on for the public. We are having a harder time, this year, raising funds. But most of it is still going up in the air.'
For more East Texas Fireworks shows click here
Read more... | Driving Through the Past - US 80
Reprint from The Monroe News Star - 6/29/09 - After it was pieced together just after the turn of the 20th century, U.S. 80 in northeastern Louisiana was part of the great Dixie Overland Highway that stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
In 1914, the idea came up that we needed a continental highway, but it didn't happen until 1926 and 1927,' said Larry Foreman of the Ouachita Parish Public Library. 'Before that, (U.S. 80) actually began as a pig trail that was used by the Indians and early explorers in the area.'
For decades after that, Ole' Highway 80 was the major traffic corridor for the region. Communities sprang up and existing towns grew all along the route: Delta, Mound, Tallulah, Delhi, Dunn, Holly Ridge, Rayville, Girard, Crew Lake, Monroe, Calhoun, Choudrant, Ruston, Grambling Corners and Simsboro.
'Ruston and West Monroe are good examples of landmarks that remain here because of the highway,' Foreman said.
Read more... | Galveston Island State Park Reopens Beach Camping July 2
Galveston Island State Park, whose facilities were devastated by Hurricane Ike last September, has made a remarkable comeback and will once again offer beachside camping in time for the busy Fourth of July weekend. Beginning July 2, visitors will be able to choose from 36 beachside campsites situated on three loops.
Two camping loops will accommodate tents or recreational vehicles and have restrooms and showers. Each $15 campsite will have water, a shade shelter, fire ring and picnic table. The third camping loop is wired for 50 amp electric service and will be for RVs only. Those sites will cost $25 per night. All beachside camping sites will provide foot traffic access to the Gulf of Mexico.
The popular state park, which was closed for six months and has been reopening in stages since last spring, only recently returned to a seven-day schedule and began allowing daytime access to a little more than a mile of beachfront. For more information click here.
Read more... | East Texas Vacation Guide - ONLINE!
 East Texas Tourism Association is 'Thinking Green.' With hundreds of request coming each year for copies of the East Texas Vacation Guide it just makes sense to offer an online version. Now more than ever, vacation planners are choosing destinations closer to home.
'Now you can preview the cities you want to visit and print only the pages you need,' said Mary Ramos, ETTA Executive Director. 'Plus you get the information faster than waiting on the mail.'
The East Texas Vacation Guide is still available for those that want a hard copy by calling or email.
Read more... | Submit Your Event!
 We've added a new feature to our website! You can now submit your event directly to our online East Texas Guide Calendar of Events.
To submit a new event, click on 'Calendar of Events', on the left side of our homepage, then follow the appropriate link from there.
Once we receive your event we will review and approve it and you should expect to see your new event online within 2 business days. Please feel free to contact us at info@etta.com or (903)757-4444 if you have any questions.
Read more... | Texas Outdoor Family Workshops - No Experience Necessary!
 Have you wanted to take your family on a camping trip, but you didn't feel you knew everything you might need to know to have a successful camping experience?
Texas Outdoor Family (TOF) workshops are hosted at state parks and at various partner sites (such as city and county parks) where your family receives hands-on experience learning basic outdoor skills by highly skilled outdoor specialists. You will learn everything you need to create great memories enjoying the outdoors with your family, including: How to set up and break down camp, fire starting, outdoor cooking, nature activities, how to use a GPS, introductions to a wide range of outdoor activities (such as fishing, kayaking, wildlife watching) depending on the site location, facilities and the season of the year.
The workshops are held throughout the year and are $55 per family. Click on ''Read more'' or call (512)389-8903 for additional details and to find a workshop near you!
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