Valentine, TX, Where All of the Love in West Texas can be Found

By: Madi Deskovick, Skyline Reporter  

ALPINE- Founded on Valentine’s Day in 1882, Valentine, Texas, has been celebrating “Valentine’s in Valentine”, on February 14th for the last 14 years, drawing over 1,000 visitors in a town with 59 residents. 

 Valentine is a very remote and small railroad town, but once a year it is transformed into a busy music festival, where people from all over West Texas come together to enjoy good music, food, and company.  

This year's music lineup was full of talented bands such as Shinyribs, Grand Tourists, Slim Brown, Trucker Band, Doodlin’ Hogwallops, and Los Arcos Hermanos Pena. In the gravel lot, people danced in front of the large wooden stage hand in hand with their Valentines, friends, and even strangers. 

 Everyone who steps into the Valentine Mercantile for this event feels the energy in the air that truly represents a happy and carefree feeling that all humans should experience on Valentine’s Day. The live music, food trucks, and community is what really brings this special day together. 

Many Sul Ross students attended this event, including sophomore Rylee Sabelko, who said, “I am having so much fun getting to spend quality time with my friends and explore the town!”  

“The community and the tourists were really nice people, and the small bands just made Valentine feel like an arms open community,”said Sul Ross junior Cutter Frank. “I’m also from a small town so it felt like I was home having a good time with all my friends.”

Jordan Miller a Valentine resident of 19 years, and Sul Ross student emphasized the importance the event for her community. “It’s our one big event a year. It’s when our town celebrates homecoming.”The true beauty of this event lies in bringing together people from all across West Texas, enjoying themselves in one little railroad town.  

“For all the kids who live in Valentine, you spend all year waiting on Valentine’s Day.” Miller explained. It seems like this sentiment isn’t only shared by the Valentine locals, but hundreds of people all over West Texas.