Music and more at Marsh Fest

In November of 2017, 10-year-old Trevor Lee Chasson of Hamshire died during an ATV accident. The Southeast Texas communities including Winnie, Hamshire and Fannett, then rallied to honor the legacy of Chasson by creating an annual event called Marsh Fest.

Now entering its fifth year, Marsh Fest is scheduled for May 18-20 at Winnie-Stowell Community Park (335 S Park St.) in the heart of Winnie, Texas. The festival includes a weekend of family fun, live music, food and a slew of commercial vendors.

Gates open at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, with live music by Conjunto Ambicion, Ricardo Y Genaro and Grupo Zenzio.

Day 2 also begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 19, with a night filled with country music from the Teague Brothers Band, Jake Bush and headliner Glen Templeton (9:30 p.m.).

Born and raised in Tuscaloosa Alabama, Templeton is no stranger to the roots and history of country music. He’s an Alabama boy who took his dream of a music career to Nashville and the rest is history. In 2008 Templeton was selected, by the daughters of country music legend Conway Twitty, to portray their father in a touring musical tribute to the late great singer. He went on to appear at the Grand Ole Opry and recorded radio hits like “Ball Cap,” “I Could Be the One” and “Sing That Song Again.”

Marsh Fest concludes Saturday, May 20, beginning with the Duck Duck 1K/5K at 8:30 a.m. followed by a Jeep/ATV/UTV show at 9 a.m. The popular mutton bustin’ event is slated for 11 a.m. then the Marsh Fest Pageant will take over the main stage from noon to 1:30 p.m. There will also be crawfish races (2 p.m.) and a washer tournament (3 p.m.).

Local standouts Adam Leger (3:30 p.m.) and Spencer Marks (5:30 p.m.) will entertain the crowd with their festive tunes. Will Banister is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and headliner Jason Boland and the Stragglers at 9:30 p.m.

Banister grew up on the sounds of legends like Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, George Strait, and Brooks and Dunn blaring through the speakers of his dad’s pickup truck. This made a huge impact in shaping the sound of Banister’s songs. The lyrics along with the fiddle and steel in Bannister’s music will have you reminiscing about the days of country radio. Popular tunes are “Find a New Home,” “Right Where We Belong” and “Ain’t That the Truth.”

For the past 20 years, Boland and his band have dazzled audiences all over as one of the leading ambassadors of the Oklahoma and Texas music movement. Millions of fans cheering him on, over 500,000 records sold independently and 10 albums later, Boland is a career musician whose legacy continues to grow. From his early days touring in cramped vans and playing in front of tiny bar crowds to the packed venues he performs in today, Boland’s uncompromising approach has grown his profile dramatically, especially in the past handful of years. Recognizable songs are “Somewhere Down in Texas,” “Comal County Blues,” “Dark & Dirty Mile,” “Proud Souls” and “Telephone Romeo.”

Daily entry tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, military members and those 65 years and older. Kids 5 and younger are in free.

Marsh Fest is presented by the Winnie Area Chamber of Commerce. The fest also provides scholarships to area schools like East Chambers, High Island and Hamshire-Fannett.

For more information, view marshfest.com or call (409) 296-2231.