| Cooped up and feeling a bit antsy these days? Then load up the family wagon and head over to the 24th Annual Needville Harvest Festival for a fun-filled day of activities. Gates open at 8 a.m. Saturday behind KC Hall on Highway 36.
There will be non-stop entertainment throughout the day beginning with a talent contest at 9 a.m. New to this year's festival will be carnival games and rides destined to keep the little ones entertained for hours. For those shopaholics and early holiday gift-buying sprees, more than 100 vendors will be selling homemade crafts, games, jewelry, clothes and so much more. Don't forget to make a list, and check it twice.
OK, now, let's cut to the chase. If you're in the mood for a little polka, then hippity hop to the Harvest Park building for a lively romp of “No Beer in Heaven”, “A Ja Sam”, the lovely waltz “At the Spring” and topped off with everybody's favorite, “Roll Out the Barrel.” The Texas Legacy Czech Band will get the party started with a rousing set of polkas, waltzes and two-steps at noon.
Band leader Bob Suttie encourages all to come out and “hear some music that makes it hard to sit. We enjoy seeing happy people having fun and keeping in shape. Come and dance, come and listen, just come.”
Live music continues at 3 p.m. with Al Sulak in the Harvest Park building. Jennie Valka will perform on the outdoor stage at 3:30 p.m., followed by The Cow Creek band at 4 p.m. Aces Over Eights will perform at 5:30 p.m.
Now, don't panic if you happen to notice puffs of white clouds lingering above.
Where there's smoke, that must mean a cook-off is fast approaching.
Gentlemen start your barbecues.
Categories include brisket, pork ribs, pork loins, chicken, and fajitas. Come hungry.
After Saturday night's judging, fair goers may sample the mix. Teams will be located parallel to the Little League ball park.
Before the big showdown Saturday night, contestants will have the opportunity to grill up beef fajitas at 8 p.m. Friday night, and blend up frozen, or on the rocks margaritas during the “Best Rita” contest at 8:30 p.m.
Kicking off Saturday's annual cookoff will be the “Lady's Choice” contest.
“It's unique to us,” explained Evan Reindl, acting secretary and director of the Needville Harvest Festival. Reindl said this contest allows women to cook up their prize-winning entries from chicken and dumplings to pineapple upside down cake. The only catch, they must prepare their entries in a pot. Judging begins at 11:30 a.m.
“We have been doing this for years and years,” said Reindl, who has volunteered his time since the festival's inception in 1983.
Saturday night continues with non-stop activities from games and rides, to cookoffs and live entertainment.
Headlining this year's event will be singer-songwriter Wade Bowen and local musician Ryan James at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Other entertainment throughout the day include a talent contest, the Little Mr. & Miss contest, the Harvest Festival Queen Contest, along with numerous activities for all ages.
There will be a wide variety of food available to purchase, from hamburgers to kabobs, and from corn on the cob to turkey legs. Visitors may want to make room for the funnel cakes and Philly cheese steaks.
The Needville Harvest festival has come a long way over the years. Five years ago, the festival moved from downtown Main Street to the city park, originally used as a junk yard. With sheer determination and a lot of sweat equity, Needville volunteers rolled up their sleeves and cleaned up their new park.
“It use to be an eyesore, now its a beautiful community property for people to use.” said raffle Chairman Cotton Manville.
Proceeds from the festival benefit the maintenance and ongoing renovations of the park that is also rented out for reunions, parties and family barbecues.
Festival tickets are sold in two categories; daytime and evening. Those only wishing to stay until 6 p.m. may purchase a wristband for $5. Those who would like to stay past 6 p.m. will need to purchase a different colored wristband for $10. This wristband will allow visitors to enjoy the festival all day and have access the Wade Bowen concert Saturday night. Day-timers who decide to stay past 6 p.m. may upgrade their wristband for another $5. The gate admission fee is $10 for everyone after 6 p.m. with the exception of children 6 years old or younger, who are free.
Rain or shine, there's plenty to see and do during the Needville Harvest Festival.
For more information call the NHF hotline at 979-793-4030 or visit nhfest.com. For information on the drawing for a Volkswagen Beetle, call Manville at 281-344-7598.
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