The return of carnival rides at Gusher Days is peak news for the 2025 – truckloads have been rolling into town, and Lois Reed to see them dotting downtown.
“We’re having them staged up at Fred’s until they can move down to where they’re going to be,” the Gladewater Chamber of Commerce dynamo said Monday. “Everybody in our area’s excited about Gusher Days. It’s always a big draw.”
Look inside for the 2025 Gusher Days tab. Downtown street closures began Wednesday ahead of the two-day festival Friday and Saturday.
The event stage was delivered Monday, primed for Sheila and the Caddo Kats the evening of April 19 before the Darrin Morris Band returns the night of April 20.
Carnival, concessions and craftsmen kick-off Friday, too, along with the 2 p.m. Helicopter Egg Drop on the grounds of Broadway Elementary School.
“I’ve got over 12,000 Easter Eggs in the office,” Reed said, alongside trophies for the 2025 Gusher Days Car Show, set for Saturday.
Find more details about the weekend schedule at GladewaterMirror.com.
Heads-up, Reed says, to the 2025 senior classes at Gladewater High School and Union Grove – the Gusher Days Committee is raising money for scholarships, including $1,000 for a social media savvy senior.
It’s an atypical scholarship application, she added, but a fun one.
“Yes, we do want to know your standing in class and that type of thing, but we also expect you to create a 3-5 minute video of downtown and what Gusher Days means to Gladewater.”
It’s the third year for the video challenge, and the seniors will want to tailor it to their social media platform of choice (i.e. TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube.
It’s a great way to encourage students and ensure their work is both original and creative, Reed added.
Hard-copy applications are available in the chamber office at 215 N. Main Street, due back (with the video link) in early May.
“This is $1,000!” Reed said, good money for students while also promoting their hometown. “We want to make this worthwhile.”
For more information, log on to GusherDays.com or call the chamber at 903-845-5501.
Gusher Days 2025
Car Show Categories
• Judges’ Choice
• Most Unique
• Lowest of the Low
• Most Likely to be in a Police Pursuit
• Best 1980 & Up
• Best Corvette
• Best Rat Rod
• “Just for Fun Award”
• Best Chrome & Fins Award (1949-1963)