Parker Family Holding First Annual Quanah Parker Medicine Mound Gathering

Parker Family Holding First Annual Quanah Parker Medicine Mound Gathering

Members of the Quanah Parker Family perform during the Quanah High School Homecoming festivities this past year. Photo courtesy of Shane Lance with Quanah Tribune-Chief.

Published May 7, 2021, By SHANE LANCE

This coming June, the Quanah Parker family will be holding the first Annual Quanah Parker Medicine Mounds Gathering on June 17th through the 20th.

This coming June, the Quanah Parker family will be holding the 1st Annual Quanah Parker Medicine Mounds Gathering on June 17th through the 20th. 

The festivities begin on Thursday, June 17th with the Gathering's Kickoff Event. Beginning at 5:00 p.m. at 2nd Street and Mercer in downtown Quanah, everyone is invited for free live music. The musical guests are Monica Taylor, Travis Fite, Jared Tyler, and Casey Van Beek. Native Comanche Fry Bread along with food trucks will be available. After the kickoff event, the activities will shift out to the Mounds with Ceremonial Sweat Lodges and a campfire gathering under the stars with stories, drums, and more live music.

On Friday, June 18th, Opening Ceremonies will begin at the Hardeman County Courthouse at 9:30 a.m. The opening ceremonies will feature the Parker Family along with Comanche drummers, musicians, and dancers. For lunch (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.), food trucks will be located at 2nd Street and Mercer in downtown Quanah. 

Beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Quanah High School Auditorium at 501 West 7th Street, a history panel will feature historians who will be discussing their family legacy and history. For dinner (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.), food trucks will be located at 2nd Street and Mercer in downtown Quanah.

Friday evening, Country Music legend Larry Gatlin takes the Quanah High School Auditorium stage at 7:30 p.m. Gatlin is the lead singer of the Gatlin Brothers. Gatlin is known for his hit songs Broken Lady, All the Gold in California, Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You), I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love, Night Time Magic, and many more. Gatlin has had 17 top 10 hits including three number one hits. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Darby Sparkman will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. and the Red Dirt Rangers will follow. Tickets are on sale now at www.quanahparkermedicinemounds.com.

Immediately following the concert, there will be an "After Concert Jam" at the Old Bank Saloon in downtown Quanah. At the Medicine Mounds, there will also be another campfire gathering with stories, drums, and live music.

On Saturday morning, there will be a Spiritual Journey to the Medicine Mound. Beginning at 8:00 a.m., everyone is invited to the base of the Medicine Mound for a spiritual ceremony from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Afterwards, those who have registered (maximum 100 people), will have the opportunity to have their own "Spiritual Journey" to the top of the Medicine Mound for a small ceremony at 9:30 a.m. To participate in the Spiritual Journey to the Medicine Mound, you must register at www.quanahparkermedicinemounds.com. For lunch (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.), food trucks will be located at 2nd Street and Mercer in downtown Quanah and at Medicine Mounds. 

From 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., a series of historical lectures will begin at the Quanah High School Auditorium. A full list of speakers and topics will be released shortly. We can tell you, Steve Houser will be teaching attendees who are interested in learning about Comanche Marker Trees on Saturday, June 19th at 3:30 p.m. in the Quanah High School Auditorium.

Also, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., live music will be available for free in the 3 Rivers Ballroom. For dinner (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.), food trucks will be located at 2nd Street and Mercer in downtown Quanah and at Medicine Mounds. 

Saturday evening beginning at 7:00 p.m. there will be free, live music with Travis Komacheet and Friends in the 3 Rivers Ballroom. At 8:00 p.m. at the Medicine Mounds, there will be a campfire gathering with stories, drums, and live music and Ceremonial Sweat Lodges. At 9:00 p.m. at 2nd Street and Mercer, there will be more free, live music with Jason Swindell and Hillbilly Weed. 

Ceremonial Sweat Lodges

At the Medicine Mound Ranch, Comanche Sweat Lodges will be available on the 17th, 18th, and 19th at 8:00 p.m. There will be both a men's and women's lodge. Seating is limited to a maximum of 15 for each day's lodges. Cost is free. To participate in the sweat lodge, you must register at www.quanahparkermedicinemounds.com. 

Camping on the Medicine Mound Ranch

Camping spots will be available to those that want to camp at the Medicine Mounds. All camping at the mounds is PRIMITIVE camping with electricity, water hookups, or showers available. Gray water service will be available in Quanah. Camping cost is $50.00 for all three nights. 

Hardeman County Historical Museum

The museum is located at 102 Mercer and will be open extended hours on the 17th, 18th, and 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The museum will be holding book signings. More information will be available on who will be signing books at the museum soon.

Downtown Medicine Mound Museum

The museum is located at the Medicine Mound in the old Cobb and Hicks Store. The museum will be open on the 17th, 18th, and 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

On Your Own Mound Climbs

The Mounds will be open for climbs to the top of the Medicine Mound on the 17th, 18th, and 19th. For those venturing to the top on their own, you must first register at the Check-out/Check-in Station so they can keep track of who is on the Mounds at all times. 

Dining Options at the Medicine Mounds

Food will be available at the Medicine Mounds throughout the event. The Parker Family will be serving their family fry bread and Indian tacos. Holy Smokes BBQ and a buffalo burger food truck will also be available.