It is also famous for having the first ever dance-drill team, the Kilgore College Rangerettes, which began in 1940 under the direction of Gussie Nell Davis.

The East Texas oil boom that started near Kilgore in late 1930 generated large amounts of revenue that made it possible to establish a community college.

College classes began that fall with 11 faculty members and 229 students temporarily using the Kilgore public school facilities.

The college provides financial support and facilities for the festival, which is a vital cultural asset for all of East Texas.

[7] As defined by the Texas Legislature, the official service area of KC includes territory within the following school districts:[8]