Few city leaders remain part of a community’s story for decades. In Grapevine, Mayor William D. Tate has helped shape the city’s story for half a century. This May, Grapevine will officially launch a yearlong Golden Jubilee celebration honoring Tate’s 50 years in office, a milestone that makes him the longest-serving mayor in Texas history and the longest-serving mayor in the United States for a city of comparable size.
The celebration begins during the city’s beloved Main Street Fest, blending history, public art, live entertainment and community traditions into a multi-day tribute to one of the city’s defining figures.
A Mayor Who Helped Transform Grapevine
When Tate first took office in 1976, Grapevine looked very different from what it does today.
Over the decades, the city evolved from a small farming community into one of North Texas’ most recognizable tourism and entertainment destinations, now home to resorts, wineries, attractions and major developments that attract millions of visitors annually…