Bullard hosted the annual Red, White and Blue Festival Saturday, Nov. 7. The festival honored veterans who served or are serving in the Armed Forces. The event also featured a parade, vendor booths, a carnival, live entertainment and drill team and cheeerleader shows. Bullard High School senior Brenna Hinton, right, was named Miss Armed Forces for her winning essay, “True Heroes.” Officials estimated that thousands attended the festival. Thousands of people lined the parade route and filled downtown Bullard for the 2009 Red, White and Blue Festival.

A constant flow of traffic moved through the festival grounds in Bullard Saturday, Nov. 7. The Red, White and Blue Festival honored veterans and military personnel serving in the Armed Forces. Soldiers of each branch of the Armed Forces were recognized and the Bullard High School band played the official hymn of each branch.

“It was our biggest ever. It was a huge success,” said Bullard Mayor Teresa Adams-Wilks. “It was a lot of fun.”

(Banner Staff Photos by Don Treul) Joan Hallmark, KLTV feature editor of Tyler, was the keynote speaker. The program also included speeches by Texas Legislators Leo Berman (Rep.–Tyler) and Chuck Hopson (Dem.– Jack- sonville).

Todd Anderson, administrative director for Bethesda Health Center, and his wife, Andrea Anderson, served as emcees for the program.

Brenna Hinton was named Miss Armed Forces for the 2009 festival. Her winning essay was titled, “True Heroes.”

Susan Lowrie was first runner-up with her essay, “Veterans’ Effect on America.” Second runner-up honors went to Marissa Hicks. Her essay was titled, “The Word Veteran.”

The Red, White and Blue Festival parade featured rence who exemplifies what Drive Clean Across Texas is all about,” said Dianna Noble, Director of TxDOT’s Environmental Affairs Division. “We encourage all Texans to follow her lead and do their part to reduce air pollution. We wish her many happy years ‘driving green’ in her new hybrid SUV.”

Driving a hybrid or other fuel-efficient vehicle is among things motorists can do to help improve air quality in the Lone Star State, campaign organizers say. By driving a vehicle that pollutes less, drivers not only keep the air cleaner, they save money at the pump.

“I’m delighted that I’ll now be driving a more ecofriendly vehicle,” said Tarrant. “To celebrate, I plan on driving my new car to the Texas Panhandle to visit my mother.”

Drive Clean Across Texas organizers from TxDOT and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality say there are plenty of other steps drivers can take to reduce harmful vehicle emissions. Keeping cars and trucks well maintained tops the list of clean air suggestions. A poorly maintained vehicle can release 10 times more pollution than one in top condition.