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Year Two For Texas Reds Festival: Downtown Bryan's Signature Event By NIKA HANCOCK

The second annual Texas Reds Steak & Grape Festival will be held in Downtown Bryan on Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21. “It’s a great day to spend outside enjoying all kinds of things . . . in one great area,” explains Gwynne Shillings, Bryan’s Special Events and Marketing Coordinator. Organizers hope to double attendance at this year’s event and have plans in place to ensure its continued success.

In 2007, the inaugural Texas Reds celebration garnered attention after The Texas Downtown Association, a statewide nonprofit organization of downtown revitalization projects, granted Bryan the Best Promotional Event or Festival award. The Steak & Grape Festival pays homage to Bryan’s early economic growth spurred by the cattle industry and more recently the thriving business and tourism associated with Messina Hof Winery & Resort, a leader in the development of Texas’ wine industry.

The event highlights steak and wine as its key attractions. A 26 team steak competition will ensue on Saturday, judged by area celebrities including weatherman Bob French, radio personality Will Welch, and Mayors Mark Conlee and Ben White. Festival goers get their stab at steak by purchasing a steak ticket, which includes one 16-ounce rib eye, two sides, bread and iced tea. Steaks will be served on Saturday from 11:00am - 8:00pm. Purchase your steak ticket early to save money, as advance steak tickets are $15 but are $20 on event day. Steak tickets can be purchased on the website or at 11 area locations listed on the website.

Last year, the event featured eleven wineries and has increased this year to sixteen committee-selected Texas wineries. Selection was based on criteria like proximity to the Brazos Valley, wine types and cost, and a vineyard’s ability to provide for the needs of the festival. The wine selections, a few from each establishment to provide a wide variety, are available on Saturday for tasting, drinking, or purchase by the bottle. This part of the festival is very popular with attendees, according to Shillings. Wine tickets, an official Texas Reds wine glass, and a wristband indicating legal age are required for on-site consumption. Another wine related activity, the Grape Stomp bracketed tournament, will take place in front of the Carnegie Library. All proceeds from the Grape Stomp will benefit the Texas Reds 4-H Scholarship program.

Other activities planned for this event include chef demonstrations, roaming Mariachis, a treasure hunt, and many craft vendors. A free shuttle will take people out for tours of the Messina Hof Winery as well. The Kid Zone, expanded from last year, will include a 25-foot high zip line, climbing wall, moonwalks, bungee jump, petting zoo, mechanical bull, live entertainment and many other activities. Schillings stated that the activities appeal to all ages, including teenagers. While there are free Kid Zone activities, a separate wristband for $10.00 enables kids to participate in all of the offered events.

Another important feature of this festival is the free live music. Music is planned for both Friday and Saturday on two stages. Event planners have outdone themselves this year by booking Jerry Jeff Walker as the headliner on Saturday night at 9:00 pm. Spanning five decades, the country singer’s career has produced the hit Sangria Wine, Mr. Bojangles, and Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother. “He has a huge following,” says Shillings. Since the music portion of the festival is free to all, crowds are expected for such a sought-after and legendary performer.

Parking for the event will be available at Blinn College, just down 29th Street from the festival. A free shuttle service is provided and highly recommended, running every 15 minutes to and from the festival grounds from 9:00am - 11:00pm. Refer to www.texasredsfestival.com for steak ticket pre-sale and a wealth of other information. Be sure to look at the ticket packages for additional savings. Ticketing booths at the event will be able to process credit/debit cards and cash. Schillings invites you to “enjoy yesteryear with today” in Downtown Bryan at Texas Reds Steak & Grape Festival.