Published October 2011
Yoakum County
One would be hard pressed to find another county with more community spirit and as many unique characteristics as ours.
Yoakum County is located in West Texas in the region called the Panhandle of Texas along the New Mexico state border. The county covers almost 800 square miles complete with prairie grasses, mesquite, and in wet years, wild flowers. We are home to a portion of the world’s largest contiguous oak forest of shinnery, not to mention Sulphur Springs Draw, which begins in Bronco and stretches across the county. Along with vegetation, the southern half of the county is populated with pump jacks, resulting in our top five ranking of oil-producing counties in the state.
There are several events that visitors to Yoakum County would enjoy throughout the year, but three stand out the most. An all-day Fourth of July celebration in Moorhead Park in Denver City, with many vendors and competition events for children, families, and pets can be enjoyed by all who attend. The day is finished after dusk with a large fireworks display honoring our local veterans; the event is sponsored by local businesses and the Denver City Chamber of Commerce.
The Old Settlers Reunion and Barbeque is held the first weekend in August of each year in Plains, the county seat. This is a time for reunions and a parade on Saturday prior to the barbeque served in the Plains Park, all sponsored by the local Roping Club and the Plains Chamber of Commerce. Rodeo weekend brings lots of family and friends back to Plains.
Our biggest attraction of the year is our annual Watermelon Roundup the Saturday before Labor Day. This is held on the square in downtown Plains in front of the Yoakum County Courthouse and includes an arts and crafts show, classic car show, a seed spitting contest, Watermelon Olympics, cow patty bingo, and a range of other events including live entertainment. On this day the population of Yoakum County has more than doubled in size. The event originated in 1996, and we are proud of the many successful seasons it has had.
Yoakum County offers a beautiful, well-manicured 6,600-yard, par 71 golf course featuring rolling terrain and West Texas desert areas coupled with a variety of native grasses. Each hole is designed to fully complement the natural lay of the land. It is a course that all levels of golfers can enjoy, remember, and want to play time and time again. You can take a tour by going to www.yoakumcountygolf.com to see what you have been missing.
With all that said, let me extend to you an open invitation to visit Yoakum County any time of the year. – County Judge Jim Barron