Hiram's birthday to feature burgers, beans, black powder by Kathy Smith, Lifestyles Editor Hood County News On-Line Edition - March 22, 2000 Hiram Bronson Granbury never lived here and, to the best of historians' knowledge, never visited this area. But that doesn't keep Granbury, Texas from celebrating the birthday of one of the most respected generals of the Confederate States Army, which it will do Saturday and Sunday during the 22nd Annual Gen. Granbury's Birthday Party & Bean and Rib Cook-off and 1st Annual Kids Hamburger and Hot Dog Cook-off and Stick Horse Race. The event, which may go in to the Guinness World Book of Records as the "event with the longest name," begins before the sun rises as competition bean and rib cookers set up their makeshift kitchens on the historic square. The opening ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday on the south side of the square will feature a black powder salute by living history members of Gen. Granbury's unit, the 7th Texas Infantry. Gen. Granbury, personified by Granbury resident Darrell Morgan, will cut huge, Texas-size portions of birthday cake, which will be given to spectators. Several new events are being added to the event, including numerous activities for children and teen-agers. In addition to Saturday's beans and ribs, cooking participants can also show off their culinary skill on Sunday with a chicken and brisket cook-off. The kiddos can get in to the act on Sunday themselves during the first annual hamburger and hot dog cook-off for children only. "The hot dog judging will mainly be on the garnishes," stated events coordinator Duane McGregor, "but the hamburgers will be on the hamburger recipe, plus garnishes." McGregor also stated that the judges for the children's cook-off will be 10- to 16-year-olds. Other fun scheduled for children include a stick horse race in which entrants ages 5 - 9 will make their own stick horse, then race in a barrel race on the square. "We're very excited," McGregor says, "Professional rodeo clowns will be here to help and we'll have a mechanical bull set up for the kids." "It's a Gas" is the theme of the Outrageous Outhouse Races that will take place on Saturday afternoon at 3:15 p.m. "This year we are doing something a little different," McGregor says. "We have increased the prize money and the entrants will be racing on behalf of their favorite local charity." Custom-made "outhouse" trophies will be awarded in addition to cash prizes. The General Granbury's Birthday Party began in 1978 as a way to honor the town's namesake. Gen. Hiram Bronson Granbury organized the Waco Guards-the 7th Texas Infantry-at the onset of the War Between the States. He rose to the rank of Brigadier General and was killed during the Battle of Franklin, Tenn. on Nov. 30, 1864. Originally buried in Franklin, Granbury's remains were moved to Granbury and reinterred in the Granbury cemetery on Nov. 30, 1893. Members of the 7th Texas Infantry will hold a memorial service at General Granbury's grave at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The public is invited to attend. The General Granbury's Birthday Party is sponsored by the Historic Granbury Merchants Association. For more information about the birthday celebration, call the convention and visitors bureau at 573-5548. © 2000 Hood County News and HCN Online Services - All Rights Reserved