The Doan’s May Picnic is a pioneer celebration held every first Saturday in May at Doans, Texas, near Doans Crossing on Red River north of Vernon.

   The event dates from 1884, making it the oldest continuously celebrated pioneer festival in the state of Texas. The old adobe house at Doans is the oldest in the county. Built in 1881, it housed Corwin F. Doan and his family. Doan traded with the Indians and supplied drovers as they took herds of cattle and horses up the old Western Trail.

   Altus’ Bull Watkins will be leading a “Crossing of the Red” Saturday, May 7. Anyone wanting to participate can meet Watkins at the Elmer General Store south of Altus at 7:30AM. This will be the 139th crossing and Doan’s event. For more information about the crossing can contact Watkins at (580) 482-1999.

   The main event of the day is the coronation of a Picnic Queen and King at 11:30 AM, followed by lunch. Other activities are planned throughout the day including the naming of the Man and Woman of the Year, music by Gina Seedig, games, and color guard by the Santa Rosa Palomino Club.

   Doan’s Crossing is part of the Great Western Trail, historically used as a route for driving cattle north. Located north of Vernon, Texas, Doan’s Crossing was an important location for the cattle trading industry in the late 1800s, and even featured in the TV series 1883, episode 6

    Come out and enjoy the day, and be sure and bring your own picnic lunch.