Category: Events

We’re thrilled to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 Devine Cactus Fall Festival—our largest and most anticipated event of the year! This two-day, family-friendly celebration will take place on Friday, October 31st and Saturday, November 1st, 2025, in downtown Devine as usual.
This year’s festival will be packed with live music, food trucks, artisan vendors, local organizations, games, contests, family activities, and more—drawing hundreds of attendees from Devine and surrounding areas.
Whether you’re a returning vendor, nonprofit, school club, or a new business, we’d love to have you be part of this exciting community event!
Event Details
Dates: Friday, October 31st (Evening Halloween Celebration) and Saturday, November 1st (Full-Day Festival)
Location: Highway 173 & Bright Street, Downtown Devine
Times: Friday 31st 2 pm-10 pm and Saturday 1st 8 am-12am
Friday night will focus on Halloween fun! All participating vendors are required to bring candy for trick-or-treaters—costumes and themed booths are encouraged!
Booth spaces are limited and will be assigned on a first-confirmed basis, spots are not guaranteed.

The Bigfoot Wallace Museum, located at 13798 FM472 in Bigfoot will be having a Bake Sale on Saturday, October 11th starting at 9:00 a.m.

“You just can’t get all your visitin’ done in one sittin’!” so that’s why Homecoming in Devine was a two-day event – a “meetin’ & greetin’” at the Friday night football game as well as a Saturday afternoon “get-together” at the former “Green Alamo” school (now VFW), hosted by the Devine Ex-Students Teachers Association (DExSTA). All former students and teachers were invited to both days of gathering with old classmates and friends to revive memories of their schooldays together in Devine.
Friday night highlights included the current DHS HC Court, and the introductions at halftime of the 50th Reunion Honor Class of 1975 and their class HC Queen, Karen Ricord Traylor! Some classmates had not been back to Devine since graduation, so this was an extra special night for them! The ‘75ers later met with more classmates at Chayitos Restaurant for late night snacks and drinks to continue their reunion weekend celebration!
On Saturday, the “Green Alamo” was hoppin’ with excitement as a full house of alumni enjoyed an afternoon of fellowship, food, and fun with former classmates and colleagues, in a festively decorated hall filled with displays of cheerleader and band uniforms, pompoms, megaphones, letterman jackets, class posters, and lots of photos. Other classes and groups were also honored, along with a special Memory Roll of classmates who had passed since the 2024 Homecoming. Honored groups were: class of 2010 – 15th reunion, class of 1975 – 50th reunion, class of 1965 – 60th reunion, class of 1955 – 70th reunion, and former Cheerleaders, Mascots, and Pep Squads! Several of the honor classes concluded their evening with private reunions at local restaurants with even more laughter and fun!
But nothing compares to seein’ things for yourself, so check out the meetin’ & greetin and gettin’ together pictures in this issue of The Devine News, as well as on the Facebook page for the Devine Ex-Students Teachers Association! So long for now and see ya’ll at Homecoming 2026!
The Devine Ex-Student Teacher Association would like to thank the many former students, teachers, and guests for their enthusiastic attendance of the annual DExSTA Homecoming Celebration! You are what makes Homecoming so special, and we are blessed with the opportunity to serve and honor our alumni and school each year. We will be looking forward to seeing you again next year for Homecoming 2026!
DExSTA Board of Directors at Homecoming 2025: Standing – Ofilia Hernandez Pedroza ’75, Wendy Maxwell, former DISD teacher, Neva Muennink Saathoff ’69 and former teacher, Keri Crouch James’86, Nancy Speilman Briscoe ’81 and former teacher. Seated – Sandy Wilkinson Beck ’72, Nancy Ehlinger Saathoff ’75 and former teacher, Katie Keilman Shults ’71, Mary Ambriz Castellano ’69.

Norma Carol McEntyre 68 and Sandy Vance 65

Gwen Park Janes 75, Denise Long Johnson 75, Cindy Hundley 75

Dennis Haass 65 with wife Bertha (75 Lytle grad) and Andi

DExSTA Treasurer Mary Ambriz Castellano 69 and husband Hector.

Beginning on October 3, we will once again hold Friday evening food distribution sessions. Volunteers have stepped up in order for us to provide this valuable service.
Hours of Operation: 4:30pm – 7:00pm Process: At 4:30pm, all families in the parking lot will be asked to come in and will be given a number sheet to complete. Announcements and new applications, if needed, will be taken care of. Actual food distribution will begin when we have registered clients into the computer and volunteers are ready to go. We anticipate this will be around 5:00 pm. With the limited time and number of volunteers, we will only be able to serve 17 households on any given Friday.

The South Central Texas Chapter of the Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas will be holding their 20th Annual Fundraiser Ranch Rodeo on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Young Farmers Arena in Pleasanton, Texas. The event will feature double mugging, branding, trailer loading, relay race, and buckles for the winning team!
There are limited entries for teams, so please contact Dickie Jackson at (830) 391-3153 to register today! Interested in having your company’s name or logo displayed at the event, and additional advertisement opportunities? Become a sponsor today, by contacting Dickie Jackson or mailing your donation to Jeff Oltjendiers at 214 CR 403, Floresville, Texas 78114. Event admission for kids 11 years old and under get in FREE, and $20 for ages 12 and up. It’s BYOB and $20.00 to bring your cooler with refreshments. The menu for the concession stand will include calf fries. The rodeo starts at 6:30PM, so mark your calendar and join in the fun!

The Annual City-Wide Yard Sale is this Saturday, October 4, 2024.
It is FREE for City of Devine residents, student clubs, churches and businesses to host a yard sale without a permit during this date. NO permit is needed.
It is hosted by the City of Devine. See cityofdevine.org for information on the city.

Community to Honor Veterans with Wreaths Across America Ceremony
The Current Events Club is once again gearing up to participate in the Wreaths Across America program, a heartfelt initiative to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. This year, the club invites the community to join in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony for local veterans at Devine Evergreen and St. Joseph Cemeteries.
Remembering Our Heroes
The mission of Wreaths Across America is simple yet powerful: to remember, honor, and teach the next generation about the importance of freedom and the sacrifices made by those who serve in the military. Volunteers across the nation place fresh, balsam wreaths on the graves of veterans during the holiday season, ensuring that each soldier’s sacrifice is never forgotten.
Locally, the ceremony will recognize veterans who have passed and are laid to rest in Devine Evergreen and St. Joseph Cemeteries. The Current Events Club is asking families and community members to check the list of veterans buried in these cemeteries to ensure that all fallen heroes are included in this year’s wreath-laying event.
“We want to make sure that every veteran’s grave is honored,” said club president, Linda Kreinhop. “This list helps us ensure that no one is overlooked, and each individual who served our country is remembered with dignity and respect.”
The Ceremony
The Wreaths Across America Day ceremony will take place on:
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Devine Evergreen and St. Joseph Cemeteries
The event is open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to attend, whether to participate in placing wreaths, attend the ceremony, or simply take a moment of reflection at the gravesites.
How You Can Help
The Current Events Club also invites community members to sponsor a wreath. Each wreath costs $17, and donations go directly toward the wreath placement. The wreaths are a symbol of respect and gratitude for those who served and are a cherished part of the event.
If you have family members or know of veterans who are buried at either of the cemeteries, please take a moment to review the list of veterans provided by the club. If you notice any names missing, or if you want to ensure a loved one is included in this year’s wreath-laying, please contact Linda Kreinhop at 830-665-6377 or Martha Wall at 210-213-5620.
Why We Do This
“Wreaths Across America is more than just a ceremony; it’s a way for us to teach future generations the importance of remembering those who came before them,” said Kreinhop. “It’s a reminder of the sacrifices made, not just by soldiers, but by their families and communities. This holiday season, let’s come together to honor these heroes.”
Join Us
The Wreaths Across America ceremony provides a meaningful opportunity for reflection and community bonding, and the Current Events Club invites everyone to participate. Mark your calendars and make plans to join us in honoring our nation’s veterans and ensuring their legacy endures.

Beginning on October 3, we will once again hold Friday evening food distribution sessions. Volunteers have stepped up in order for us to provide this valuable service.
Hours of Operation: 4:30pm – 7:00pm Process: At 4:30pm, all families in the parking lot will be asked to come in and will be given a number sheet to complete. Announcements and new applications, if needed, will be taken care of. Actual food distribution will begin when we have registered clients into the computer and volunteers are ready to go. We anticipate this will be around 5:00 pm. With the limited time and number of volunteers, we will only be able to serve 17 households on any given Friday.