People from across the state met in Llano on Saturday under a clear blue sky and 70-degree weather for the Heritage Day Festival.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better day,” said Sarah Franklin, Main Street manager. “It was wonderful. I was absolutely elated.”

The day began with the rededication ceremony of the Llano County Courthouse cupola. Llano County Judge Wayne Brascom, former Llano County Judge R.G. Floyd, Congressman Mike Conaway, Sharon Fleming of the Texas Historical Commission and Donald Clark of the Sons of the Republic of Texas all spoke during the ceremony.

“The Chamber of Commerce did a fabulous job with the weather,” joked Congressman Mike Conaway.

Afterwards, attendees milled around the courthouse square, looking at goods that 80 vendors were selling. Franklin said the festival has never had that many vendors. One of the vendors was James Drury, actor of the TV show “The Virginian.” He was signing autographs.

“It’s been a great weekend,” Drury said. “Fabulous weather and fabulous town.”

Other events during the day included gun shows by the Sabinal Bad Land Rangers, tours of the courthouse and Red Top Jail and a period dress contest. Franklin estimated that a few thousand people attended the weekend festivities.

“It was probably the best festival yet,” Franklin said.

Winners of Scarecrow Contest:

Senior Division

First Place: Travis Wimberley, Llano

Second Place: Taylor Stewart, Llano

Third Place: David Wimberley, Llano

Junior Division

First Place: Echo Farmer, Llano

Second Place: Lauren Wimberley, Llano

Third Place: Epic Farmer, Llano

Fourth Place: Madison Wimberley, Llano

Business Division

Best All-Around: Inman’s Kitchen

Second Best All-Around: Stonewall’s Pizza Wings & Things

Most Original: LaNell’s Hair Affair & Nail Salon

Best Old-Fashioned: Renee’s Flowers

Winners of Period Dress Contest:

Fancy Dress

First Place: Danielle Carmichael, Llano

Second Place: Cheryl Crabtree, Llano

Third Place: Linda Nelson, Brackettville

Day Dress

First Place: Patti Felts, Llano

Second Place: Carrie Kojak, Burnet

Third Place: Elizabeth Hayes, Llano

Distinguished Gentleman

First Place: Warren Turner, Llano

Second Place: Mike Farmer, Llano

Working Man/Woman

First Place: Raymond Whitaker, Bigfoot

Second Place: Robin Cheesa, Llano

Third Place: Frank Rowell, Llano

Girls

First Place: Katelyn Newman, Llano

Second Place: Lauren Wimberley, Llano

Third Place: Sydnee Whitaker, Bigfoot

Boys

First Place: Echo Farmer, Llano

Second Place: Epic Farmer, Llano