The Parks and Recreation Department planned exciting City-wide events, hosting regular monthly Trade Days and providing special seasonal events throughout the year.

• Trade Days completed its 10th year of operations with an average of 151 vendors attending each monthly event. Advertising efforts attracted vendors and shoppers from Livingston and from as far away as Wisconsin, Utah, South Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Illinois, California, Minnesota, North Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania and Iowa. Trade Days events included the 8th Annual Spring Outdoor Expo held in March, the Texas Pioneer Bird Show held in June, the Fall Fun Bash held in October, and the annual Dog Show held in November. To show appreciation to Trade Days vendors, City sponsored vendor dinners were hosted in August and November.

• The City’s 10th Annual “Easter Eggstravaganza” drew large crowds of children who hunted more than 20,000 Easter Eggs stuffed with candy and prize tokens. Local businesses donated candy and more than 200 prizes, including bicycles, tricycles, swimming pools, sports equipment, Easter baskets, stuffed animals, electronics and other toys and games.

• The annual Kid's Fishing Frenzy fishing tournament was held in April for children ranging in age from toddlers to 17 years old. The event promotes fishing as a hobby to Livingston’s children and youth. For the event, the Texas Game Wardens Association stocked Pedigo Park Pond with catfish. Other sponsors of the Kid's Fishing Frenzy event included Academy Sports & Outdoors (Lufkin), First National Bank, First State Bank and the VFW.

• Twelve summer camps were offered by the City in 2009, which were attended by more than 160 participants.

• The annual Hometown Christmas celebration attracted many visitors in spite of inclement weather and approximately 168 walkers and runners, many in costume, participated in the event’s Jingle Bell Fun Run. Vendors, a petting zoo and carriage rides were popular attractions surrounding City Hall, and the event concluded with a lighted evening parade and an appearance from Santa at City Hall.

• Pedigo Park was the site for several community events, notably the 8th Annual Polk County Relay for Life which raised more than $295,000 for the American Cancer Society, and “The Battle of Long King Creek” Civil War Re-enactment which was hosted by the Ike Turner Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

• The City’s Matthews Park Swimming Pool offered a summer full of activities, including swimming lessons for over 476 children and its first annual Beach Party.