Category: Events

Local Events in Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot, Moore in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties!

Devine Food Pantry Ministry – Friday Evening Sessions are Back!

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.

Testing of Outdoor Warning Sirens on Friday, Oct 3

The Medina County Office of Emergency Management & Fire Marshal’s Office will be conducting testing of the outdoor warning sirens on Friday, October 3rd, at noon. This is a monthly operational test ONLY.
Outdoor warning sirens are designed to only be heard outdoors and within close proximity, roughly a half mile depending on terrain and structures, of the outdoor siren. If you are not near one of the sirens and outside at the time of the testing, you will not hear it. Sirens are meant to advise people who are outside to go inside, turn on the news or check weather conditions, and seek safety.

VFW upcoming Fall Events

VFW Post 3966 has several events coming up this Fall. The most notable event coming up will be the haunted house in partnership with Sinister Harvest. The haunted house will be open through November 2, 2025.
On Friday, October 3, 2025, Sinister Harvest will host a blood drive at the VFW. All donors will receive one FREE ticket to the Sinister Harvest Haunted House. Additional information can be found on Facebook at Sinister Harvest Haunted Attraction.
On October 7, 2025 Post 3966 will provide a Color Guard for the opening ceremony for National Night Out.
November 8 will be the VFW Golf Tournament at the Devine Golf Course. Contact Gary Saathoff at 210-289-6204.
December 6, 2025, Post 3966 will be hosting a Christmas Market from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Booths will be available in the Hall and outdoors in the Courtyard and parking lot. Contact James Dossey at 210-882-7689

Annual Art Show Coming up… Featuring local Artists, Students, and Distinguished Art Judge

Friendship Art Club presents area artists and art students in its annual show on Saturday, September 27, 9 am to 3 pm at the Lytle Community Center, with artwork honors awarded by distinguished judge Vie Dunn-Harr and the voting public in attendance.
Viie Dunn-Harr is a well-known area artist who throughout her 50-year career has shared her own contemporary realist artwork and teaching expertise with many people across the United States and Europe. She currently teaches classes and workshops in the San Antonio area, but her world-wide career has included many exhibitions, numerous classes and creative workshops each year, and publication of several art books along with featured resources for other publications.
The art show has for many years featured artisans exhibiting in booths, a competition identifying Best of Show and other awards, student artwork from participating area secondary schools, and a People’s Choice Award. A drawing of varied prizes benefits art education opportunities sponsored by the art club. The public is invited to the show, which is free, and has the opportunity to visit with the artists and purchase many arts and crafts on display.

Devine HS HOMECOMING –THIS WEEKEND-

This Warhorse in battle regalia was on the cover of the Devine High School 1975 yearbook. This spirited revision was created by DHS Senior Julian Hernandez ’75.

Homecoming is a special weekend each year when Devine Ex-Students & Teachers gather to catch up on old friendships and reminisce about their schooldays in Devine.
People will come from far away, and right next door, to “Cheer, Cheer for Ole’ Devine High”, at the Friday night football game!
Come early to stop by the Ex-Students/Teachers table by the home stands to check in with your DExSTA board members to get name tags. There will be an area for Exes in the south end of the home stands, by the ramp. It will be a good place to gather and sit with former classmates and teachers. Watching the 7:00pm kick-off of the Warhorse football team with DHS Cheerleaders & Band and seeing the Homecoming mums & court should bring back some fun memories of Friday nights in the Fall at DHS.
At halftime, the DHS Class of 1975 will be recognized and honored for their 50th Reunion! Classmates will gather on the track in front of the home stands and will be introduced to the fans.
Also, this year former Cheerleaders, Mascots, and Pep Squads will be there to be introduced in the stands, as will the Class of 1955 for their 70th reunion, the Class of 1965 for their 60th reunion, and the Class of 2010 for their 15th reunion, all being held on Saturday!
On Saturday, will be another opportunity to gather and visit with former classmates & teachers and meet other Devine Exes at the Devine Ex-Students/Teachers Association annual Homecoming Celebration! It starts at 1:00pm at the Old Green Alamo, now the Devine VFW Post 3966 on College Ave. All Devine alumni, from all school years, are invited to attend and have a good time socializing with their classmates and friends. The Class of 1975 and other reunion classes will be honored, along with former Cheerleaders, Mascots, and Pep Squads.
Other highlights of the day include an on-going slide show presentation with many, many pictures of students and teachers from past days at Devine schools, class posters, uniforms, football and band jackets, and other memorabilia will be displayed. *If you have pictures or copies of pictures, or other school memorabilia that you would like to include in the displays, please bring them with you.
2025 Homecoming Court Representatives are as follows:
Freshmen- Jade Garcia & Chase Teetsel
Sophomores- Emma Kate Caballero & Enoch Hall
Junior- Ava Rangel & Cole Reyes
Senior Candidates:
Girls: Hailey Eads, Bella Flores, Brianna Chavez, Darilynn Garcia
Boys: Aiden Harper, Mason Beaver, Riley Gutierrez, TJ Buvinghausen

All about homecoming:


Calling all Arabians and Warhorses, if you bleed maroon and gold–get ready for the big homecoming game and festivities this Friday and Saturday.
Please see below for the schedule of events for Devine High School’s 2025 Homecoming which kicks off on Wednesday with the big bonfire, game and ceremony on Friday, the class of ‘75 50th reunion, as well as the big gathering for all ex students and teachers on Saturday:
Homecoming Bonfire
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
7:30 PM – Rally Begins
7:45 PM –Bonfire will be lit
Homecoming Game & Ceremony
Friday, September 26, 2025
4:00 PM – Community Tailgate
at Warhorse Stadium Parking Lot
Tailgating area marked off near the tennis courts
Open to the community – first come, first serve
No registration or fee required
Each spot is responsible for its own set-up and clean-up
6:45 PM – “Wake Up Call” featuring the Devine High School Band and Cheerleaders before heading into the stadium
7:30 PM – Kickoff
Halftime – Homecoming Ceremony
The ceremony will begin promptly after the San Antonio Christian Band exits the field.
“We invite the community to join us as we celebrate Homecoming 2025 and support our Warhorses and Arabians,” said DHS Principal Michael Gomez.
Tickets are sold at the gate or online devineisd.org
All Devine Exes – look for the check-in tables and the DHS seating section in the stands
1975 Honor Class recognition at half-time on the track in front of the press box. Wave as your name is called out! Class photo on the track
Other reunion classes of ’65, ’55, 2015, Cheerleaders, Mascots, Pep Squads will be announced and recognized while in the stands, before halftime. Please stand and/or wave from your seat when your group is called.
Devine Ex Students ( DxSTA)
Saturday,Sept 27th @ Devine VFW 211 College
(old Green Alamo)
All former and current students and staff are welcome to join a homecoming celebration with the Devine Ex Students and Teachers Association. Registration Begins at 1:00pm and the Program Begins at 2:00pm, followed by Social time until 5:00pm. Here’s what to expect:
Registration & Name Tags
Admission to Celebration included in Membership
Non-Membership to pay $5.00 at the door
Not set up for Credit Card transactions, Cash only
Meet and Greet/Refreshments/Slide Show
Devine Ex-Students/Teachers Assoc. Meeting
Social Time to visit with old friends
1975 Honor Class, Cheerleader, Mascot, & Pep Squad photo, plus other reunion classes

Haunted House opening in Devine September 27th in “old haunted schoolhouse”

You might have seen some info about the “Sinister Harvest” Haunted House that will open it’s doors in Devine this September Saturday the 27 th.
But it’s bigger and spookier than it might appear on first glance….the new structure being built on the outside of the Devine VFW is just the entrance!
The spooky tour will take you deep into the hallways of the old 1920s school and classrooms.
“It’ll be about 1,800 sq ft in all,” said Gary Saathoff with the Devine VFW. “You’ll go in and out of the old classrooms, through an old doctor’s office, and end up in the hallway with a chainsaws chasing you! It should be pretty good!”
Brandon Harris, who is heading up the haunted house said he is thrilled to be able to do it in such a spooky location full of history.
“We have been told that there has been paranormal readings here,” Harris said. “The building is so authentic…the orginal floors, the walls, even the way it smells.
“It’s definitely the kind of place where you hear doors opening and closing by themselves and footsteps down the hallway” Harris claims.
There will be over a dozen scenes inside the haunted house including everything scary–from chainsaws to clowns!
“It’s about a 15-minute walk-thru,” Harris said. “Parts of it are pitch black, so you and your group will have to find your way out!”
SCHEDULE
Sinister Harvest will be open:
Every Friday & Saturday, 8:00 pm – 12:00 am, from September 26 – November 1.
Sunday, October 26 and November 2, from 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
GRAND OPENING SPECIAL: $5 off tickets September 26 & 27
HALLOWEEN NIGHT SPECIAL: $5 off tickets October 31
They encourage visitors to buy tickets on their website, but will also take cash at the gate.
25% of profits will go back to the Devine VFW. More info at:
SinisterHarvestHaunt.com

Stream cleanup for Geronimo/ Alligator creeks slated for Oct. 4

By AgriLife Today
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Watershed Partnership will hold the sixth annual Fall Community Stream Cleanup on Oct. 4 in Seguin and New Braunfels.
Community members are invited to join the partnership to pick up litter from stream banks, roadways and other public spaces.
The event begins at 9 a.m. Volunteers will meet at the Seguin Independent School District’s Irma Lewis Outdoor Learning Center, 1865 E. U.S. Highway 90, or at Oak Creek Elementary School in New Braunfels, 3060 Goodwin Lane. Participants should preregister online at https://tx.ag/StreamCleanup to ensure adequate supplies are available.
About the partnership
Since the first spring cleanup in 2013, volunteers have removed over 40,500 pounds of waste from the watershed. Individuals and groups have made a difference in their communities by restoring and protecting local water quality, and future volunteers can continue this impactful work.
The partnership was established by local stakeholders in 2012 as a response to elevated E. coli levels in Geronimo and Alligator creeks. Through free educational programs and outreach events, the partnership seeks to promote the implementation of best management practices by all watershed residents.
To learn more about this program, visit www.geronimocreek.org or contact Epps at annalee.epps@ag.tamu.edu.

Devine’s Fall Festival Sat. Nov. 1, Carnival 4 days Wed-Saturday

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.
How to Apply:
Attached to this email is the official festival application, which includes booth fees, guidelines, policies, setup instructions and other important information. Please complete and return the application as soon as possible.
Note: Application review and approval may take up to 2 weeks. Once your application is reviewed, we will personally email you.
Price details are included on the form—booth spots are not reserved until payment is received, spots are NOT guaranteed.

Special Notes:
All food vendors must comply with Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) regulations, including any required permits, labeling, licensing, and certifications.
Cottage Food Vendors must follow Texas Cottage Food Law. Products must be non-potentially hazardous, made in a home kitchen, and properly labeled. A food safety training course is required.
Hot Food Vendors must have all appropriate permits and operate from an approved facility. This includes food trucks, trailers, or booths serving food that requires temperature control.
Cactus Fall Festival Application- email us for a copy of it.
We can’t wait for another amazing Cactus Festival and look forward to showcasing all the talent, creativity, and community spirit that makes Devine so special.
“If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m happy to help!” Savannah Kendrick, Devine Market Association Secretary.
Email: DevineMarketAssociation@gmail.com