Texas State Blueberry Festival Keeps The Folklore Of 42 Tournaments Going In Nacogdoches, Texas

Growing up in Deep East Texas I spent many a summer in Nacogdoches with my grandfather learning to play 42. I was the only one around, and though not a worthy opponent by any stretch of the imagination, he needed someone to practice with.

Being a Baptist man, he didn't play cards. Cards were for gambling. 42 was just as intense without money changing hands. I wonder if he ever played in this tournament?

Saturday, June 11th, 2022 the Texas State Blueberry Festival has the Paul Kendrick Memorial 42 tournament coming up during the festival at the Nacogdoches County Courthouse Annex meeting room 101 on W. Main St.

The Texas State Blueberry Festival Has A 42 Tournament In Nacogdoches, Texas

Paul Kendrick was a volunteer at the festival and he headed up the 42 tournaments there for many years. Since he passed he has been memorialized in the name of the tournament.

The tournament will benefit the Salvation Army of Nacogdoches for the first time this year.

“What an honor to be involved with the festival’s 42 tourney and a good fit for the Salvation Army,” said Director Darla O’Neill. “The story of the game’s beginnings is fascinating. Two brothers living in a small town west of Ft. Worth in the late 1800s. They were forbidden to play card games by Baptist parents, so they created their own game using dominoes. They taught others, and it caught on and now, we have a 42 tournament in Nacogdoches that draws teams from across the state.”

If you need more information on the event check out www.texasblueberryfestival.com. Registration is at 8 am and is $20 a person or $40 a team. You can register as a team or be assigned a teammate.

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The Tournament runs from 9 am to around 3 pm and will be a round-robin format. There will be prizes for the winner, door prizes, and snacks. If you would like to pre-register a team call 936-560-5533.