--------------------------XIT Rodeo Parade--------------------------
The XIT Rodeo parade is Americana at its best. There are few like it left in America today. A tree-lined, 100-year-old street dotted with American flags, horses, antique cars, bands... There are lots of horses, rodeo queen contestants, and old farm equipment.Not to mention lots of candy for the kids!
Want to be in the parade? You can pick up a registration form at the Dalhart Chamber office or download it here. Entry in the parade is free, and the deadline to register is July 28 at 5:00 pm. Forms should be returned to:
Dalhart Chamber of Commerce
102 E. 7th
Dalhart, Texas 79022
2008 XIT Rodeo Parade Marshall - Orville Henry (O.H.) Finch Jr.
OH was born July 28, 1924 and was raised in Dalhart on the family ranch. When O.H. was 18 he entered the Kemper Military School in Missouri. He served in the Army 782 Tank Battalion during WWII in Europe, while being stationed in France he was a passenger on a train that had a tragic wreck and limited his duty.
After returning from his duties with the Army O.H. enrolled in the University of Texas where he got his B.B.A after College, he returned to live and work on the ranch and in 1958 he met a young lady who was teaching Home Ec. by the name of Leabelle. In February 1960 O.H. and Leabelle were married in her hometown of Olton, TX and have lived in Dalhart every since. O.H. and Leabelle have two children Donna and Carl and Three Grandkids, Caleb, Megan, and Taylor Sewell. O.H. has owned several planes and has enjoyed flying them around the ranch, and has a great passion for playing music along with painting and drawing.
In 1987 they moved from the ranch into Dalhart, O.H. has served on various Boards of Directors and has been a life member of the Central United Methodist church where he teaches the Open Door Sunday School Class. He is currently on the Board of Trustees for the XIT Museum and helps out one day a week at the Senior Center.
XIT Rodeo & Reunion was fortunate to recruit O.H. to serve on the Board of Directors from 1962 - 1964. During this time O.H. was the "Dance Man" and served as President of the Board in 1964. A few of the entertainers that appeared were: Wanda Jackson, Hank Thompson and Leon McAuliffe.
During his years on the board there were a few changes taking place. They replaced the pens and arena that were constructed with wood and replaced it with pipe and poured the concrete between the east and west barns at the coliseum allowing for the Dance to be held outdoors.
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