PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORTY EIGHTH ANNUAL TEXAS RICE FESTIVAL WINNIE, TEXAS
The Texas Rice Festival celebrates everything to do with rice and good times! Chartered in 1969, the festival is a weeklong event held annually in Winnie, Texas, beginning with the BBQ Cook-off the last weekend in September. The event, currently in its 48th year, is held as a celebration of the rice harvest and features family entertainment with down-home country flair. More than 100,000 people crowd the Winnie-Stowell Park annually.
BBQ Weekend, sponsored by Whataburger, starts off the festivities with a Fajita Jackpot and BBQ Cook-off, Horseshoe Pitching & Washer Tournaments. The finale of the cook-off weekend will be the Gospel Jubilee on Sunday afternoon. Wright’s Amusement Carnival (with a one-price bracelet available each day) will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday of BBQ Weekend.
The festival begins with FREE admission for all on Wednesday, October 4th, 2017. Activities include Wright’s Amusement Carnival, vendor booths and Rice Education Exhibits. The entertainment is non- stop along with lots of GREAT FOOD, including rice balls, gumbo, ettouffe, pistolletes, blooming onions, crab balls, boudain balls, pork-ka-bobs and many other delicious delicacies! The event is renowned for its outstanding cuisine.
Wednesday, Oct 4th, is opening night and is FREE admission. The featured entertainers are Get Right Ramblers, Drugstore Gypsies and William Clark Green. The first 1000 adults receive a special designed T-shirt on Wednesday night sponsored by Orange County Building Materials.
Thursday, October 5th will begin with Geno Delafose, Travis Matte and end with Wayne Toups.
Friday, October 6th, is Youth Day, sponsored by Whataburger. The park opens at 9am and is free admission for kids 18 and under until 5pm. Youth Day Activities include a 4-H & FFA Livestock Show, Diaper Derby, Baby Costume Contest, Little Rice King and Miss La Petite Contests, Little Rice Sweetheart Pageant, Junior Queen Pageant, Characters in the park, Face Painting, Poster, Youth Parade, Photography & Art Contests and an Ice Cream Eating Contest. Night Performances by Honky Tonk Jones, Red Shahan and Pat Green.
Saturday, October 7th, is a full day of family fun! It is a harvest celebration featuring non-stop entertainment beginning with the Grand Parade followed by Opening Ceremonies. Saturday’s entertainers will begin with the American Cancer Auction, a Rice Cooking Contest, Craft Show featuring booths, Photography and Art Exhibits and Antique Car Show. Starting at 4:30pm on stage will be Flatland Cavalry, Joe Diffie, Reckless Kelly and ending with Bag of Donuts. The performance by Bag of Donuts will conclude the 2017 festival. So come on out and enjoy the great food and entertainment offered by the Texas Rice Festival.
For more information on ticket prices please visit the Texas Rice Festival website at www.texasricefestival.com.
Winnie is located just off IH-10, Exit 829, between Houston and Beaumont, with lodging and RV facilities available. For information call Chris Street at 718-0205 or check out our web site at texasricefestival.com
The Texas Rice Festival is sponsored by Budweiser, Winnie Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, H&E Equipment Services, Riceland Healthcare, Philpott Motors, Market Basket, Chambers County, Swat Construction, Whataburger, Elissa’s Playhouse, WOWCO Equipment Co, Neches Federal Credit Union and Coors Light.