The 2nd Annual Spirit of Texas Festival will offer a free family friendly event filled with performances, food, shopping, learning, live music - and a chance to be a part of history. Scheduled for March 23-25, the event is set for College Station’s Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater. Admission is free.
The weekend’s activities celebrate all things Texas. “The Lone Star State is so huge and so diverse. We are much more than hats and boots. Our festival gives families the opportunity to explore some of the best that Texas has to offer, all in one place. In addition, this event offers something for everyone in the family – the shopper, the foodie, the music lover, the budding performer,” said Cynthia Caronna, the festival’s executive director. “Bryan College Station is easily navigable so participants don’t have to worry about traffic headaches. Everyone is greeted with a warm ‘Howdy!’ ensuring everyone is welcome!”
The festival is supporting local nonprofits whose work affect the lives of youth: the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Brazos Valley; Von’s Vision (founded by Texas A&M football legend Von Miller); K-9s 4Kids; and Mobility Worldwide.
The festival’s sponsors include Spirit of Texas Bank, Copy Corner, Bolner’s Fiesta Spices, The Medical Center of College Station, the City of Bryan, the City of College Station, and the Bryan College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau. The event is supported by many team members including Mays Business School Department of Marketing, Texas A&M Big Event, and the Spirit of Texas Festival Student Organization.
A Weekend of Fun The weekend will be one for the record books (literally). Festival participants will have a chance to help a Guinness World Record by building and eating the world’s longest ice cream sundae on March 24. The current record set in 2016 stands at 1,105.73 meters (3,627 ft. 8.8 inches), according to the Guinness World Record.
The festival’s schedule also offers something for every member of the family:
- Idea Village – Educational pods will offer a variety of learning activities for children in grades 4-6. These learning experiences, created in partnership with Texas A&M and Allen Academy, range from chemistry experiments to milking cows.
- Trading Market – This combination of Round Top and the Nutcracker Market will include more than 200 vendors and artisan who offer all things Texas and more. Vendors and Artists will be set up March 23-25.
- Music – The festival boasts multiple stages that will feature a variety of Texas musical groups. The performance schedule will include a variety of genres, including country, gospel, cowboy, jazz, red dirt, funk, classical and Zydeco.
- Future Stars of Texas – This community stage will feature a variety of children’s and youth groups. Performances will include singing and dancing, martial arts and 4-H presentations and more.
- BBQ Cook-Off – This event, which is sanctioned by the International Barbecue Cookers Association, is set for March 23-24 and offers cash and prizes of $10,000. Last year’s event attracted more than 50 BBQ teams from across Texas.
- Curbside Smackdown Food Truck Competition – 20 food trucks hailing from around the state will offer tasty dishes for festival participants to enjoy from March 23-25. In addition, more than 50 trucks will compete for $11,000 in prize money awarded on March 25 to the trucks that offers the most crave-worthy dishes.
- Pony Hop Rodeo – This event gives participants the opportunity to hop their way to glory and prizes on inflated horses.
In addition, the festival will offer a VIP experience that includes a Spirit of Texas Bank VIP Tent, a sampling of brews and spirits, and special meal offerings.
For further information about the festival or to sign up as a vendor, food truck or performer, check out the festival’s website at https://sotxfest.com/ or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/spiritoftxfest
