54th Texas Rice Festival

For more than five decades, the Texas Rice Festival has celebrated rice harvest in Winnie, Texas since 1969. The 54th annual festival is now underway through Saturday, Oct. 7, at Winnie-Stowell Park (307 LeBlanc Rd.) in Winnie. The longstanding tradition draws locals from all over Southeast Texas and the fairgrounds are filled with fantastic food vendors, entertainment and activities for the entire family.

The carnival opens at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5, with live music from Jackie Caillier & Cajun Cousins, Wayne Toups and headliner Kevin Naquin at 10 p.m.

“Youth Day” is schedule for Friday, Oct. 6, with opening festivities at 9 a.m. Musicians scheduled to perform are Matt Sebastian, The Teague Brothers and William Beckmann takes the stage at 10 p.m.

The festival will conclude Saturday, Oct. 7, at 9 a.m. Live music begins at 4:30 p.m. with the Tejas Brothers, followed by Shenandoah (6:30 p.m.), Treaty Oak Revival (8:30 p.m.) and the Kings of Neon (10:30 p.m.)

Not to be over looked, the St. Louis Catholic Church in Winnie will be selling their “world famous rice balls.” What started as 80 rice balls in year one has now grown to more than 14,000 per festival. The rice ball is filled with rice, parmesan cheese, butter, chili and seasoning.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate for $15 (adults) and $5 for students (ages 6-18). Seniors 65 and older and kids 5 and under are admitted free.

For detailed information, visit texasricefestival.com or call (409) 296-4404.