Coleman was treated to a wealth of entertainment this last Saturday, October 22, 2016 as the annual Prickly Pear Festival came to life.

 
 
 
With some of the finest food and wine paired together anywhere, locals and visitors alike were treated to an amazing line up of musical talent. One of the artists; Coffey Anderson, stole the show for many as he is indeed the small town boy who made it big.

Coffey is a local, raised only a few miles east of Coleman in Bangs Texas and a graduate of Howard Payne university in Brownwood, Texas with a ministry degree. Coffey has not forgotten his roots.

Many there were inspired to find out that Coffey and his band have raised over $300,000 to refurbish and give, mortgage free housing to our vets in need. In doing this, he inspired other bands and record labels to get on board, resulting in more than 200 houses in total being built or refurbished for our wounded veterans.

Coffey, with a deep passion to create a bridge in racial and social differences made internet history by creating the first video on Facebook to have more than 30,000,000 (million) views.  This video has now been duplicated multiple times being both praised and criticized. Having this large internet audience, Coffey was invited to speak with President Obama at the POTUS town hall meeting filmed by ABC. 

Coleman is certainly honored to have been a part of Coffey's early environment where he participated in many small town youth activities that brought him to Coleman. Coffey's spiritual foundation is seen clearly now in his life as an entertainer as well as an inspirational speaker. Small town pride and small town values cannot be duplicated, depreciated or ignored!

ColemanConnected.com is proud to post this video that features a few minutes of music, a great ensemble of Sweet Home Alabama Texas, finishing up with few words from Coffey directly to Coleman and youth everywhere on his thoughts about  coming from a small town.

Click here to view the video in the forum.

 

 

We had a chance to talk with Calina Mishay Johnson, the artist who is doing the mural downtown on College. As promised, she has returned today during the Prickly Pear Festival to add the finishing touches and it is simply vibrant.
 
It is easy to argue that this work of art adds much life to College street, yet even more, it will surely delight visitors and locals for years to come. Thank you Calina and to all who have contributed! Click read more to view the video.

Click Video Interview with Calina Mishay Johnson to read the post.

Hopefully by now you've had a chance to drive past the prickly pear mural that is nearly done and now exploding with color, located just east of the Shoppin' Basket on College, expertly painted on the north side of  Charlotte Purl's Uncommon Goods building. The mural is simply stunning, it's a must see for all who come to Coleman, pictures simply don't do it justice, but we'll try.

Click Prickly Pear Mural to read the post.

Article in Texas Monthly that features Coleman and Rancho Pizzeria

Just Back From: Coleman

Is this small West Texas town poised to be the next Marfa?

Interior of Rancho Pizzeria in Coleman.
Photo by Jordan Breal

Click Texas Monthly visits Coleman to read the post.