The 78th Neches River Festival rounds out the season this weekend with a grand parade, a new Queen and Ladies in Waiting, scholarship awards and much celebration of the community’s youth, their talents, and our river resources.
Founded in 1948, the Neches River Festival is one of Southeast Texas’s most enduring and beloved traditions – celebrating the heritage, culture, and unity of the Beaumont community for nearly eight decades. What began as a small civic celebration has grown into a signature regional event honoring leadership, service, and the young people who represent the future of the region.
Each spring, the festival brings together families, students, civic leaders, and longtime supporters through a series of community events, educational programs, and cherished ceremonies that reflect the spirit and resilience of Southeast Texas.
At its heart, the Neches River Festival is a celebration of the people who shape this community –honoring those who serve, preserving traditions that connect generations, and inspiring the next wave of leaders who will carry Beaumont forward.
The community is encouraged to attend a Street Party on Friday, April 17, at 5 p.m. at Event Centre Great Lawn and Lake area in downtown Beaumont, which includes music, food trucks and more for families to enjoy.
The main event of the evening is the parade comes at 6 p.m., which winds through downtown Beaumont’s Event Centre area with more than 60 floats, including local schools, marching bands, cheerleaders, community organizations and more. Families are encouraged to join in the fun, enjoy the show and get ready to catch beads and candy.
Grand Marshal of the year’s parade is The Examiner’s own Albert Nolen, whose unwavering dedication to serving the community and the youth exemplifies the spirit of the Neches River Festival.
The festival activities, which began many months ago, will culminate on Saturday, April 18, at the annual Coronation at 6 p.m. inside the Julie Rogers Theatre. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at nechesriverfestival.com.
More than 70 princesses representing area high schools will be presented with their escorts and one young lady from the group will be crowned Queen Neches LXXVIII to stand alongside King Neches LXXVIII, Mitchell A. Toups, who was revealed as the new King at a celebration at Riverfront Park in March. In addition, three Ladies in Waiting, Miss Congeniality, Best Escort, Grand Duchess, Lamar University Otho Plummer scholarships and nine additional scholarships will be awarded.
This year, in memory of two extraordinary young women, whose families chose to transform grief into purpose, the Neches River Festival will recognize the establishment of two new memorial scholarships – the Chloe Childress Memorial Scholarship for Mental Health Awareness established in memory of Chloe Childress, who served as a Duchess in the 77th Neches River Festival and the Full of Grace Scholarship established in memory of Mary Grace Baker and funded by the Mary Grace Baker Foundation.
Mary Grace was selected to serve as an Attendant to the Queen for the 78th Neches River Festival, an honor she would have embraced wholeheartedly. Both young women tragically lost their lives in Hunt, Texas during the flood on July 4, 2025. Through these educational opportunities, their light will continue to guide future generations of Festival participants.
Following the Coronation, the NRF Ball will be held at the Beaumont Civic Center to celebrate this grand and historic occasion in our community.
For detailed information, view nechesriverfestival.com.