Big Festivals, Small Towns: Organizing Large-Scale Events in Historic Downtowns

In this episode of Festival Soup, host Mike Baxter sits down with Kelly Augustine from the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce to dive deep into the unique aspects of hosting festivals in historic downtown settings. They explore the Texas Blueberry Festival, its roots, growth, and the benefits of organizing a large-scale event in a small town. From community involvement to the challenges of brick streets and balancing modern amenities with historical preservation, this episode provides a rich discussion on creating a successful, culturally connected festival.

Key Points:  

[0:00] – Introduction  

Mike Baxter introduces the podcast and the episode's focus on the Texas Blueberry Festival, featuring guest Kelly Augustine from the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce.

[1:29] – The Roots of the Blueberry Festival  

Kelly shares the origins of the Texas Blueberry Festival, founded by Drs. Patsy and Leon Hallman in the late 1980s to celebrate Nacogdoches’ rich blueberry production and historic downtown.

[3:16] – Festival Highlights  

Kelly gives an overview of the festival, which features blueberry pancakes, pie-eating contests, a pet parade, and various family-friendly activities, all while emphasizing the involvement of local businesses and community partnerships.

[5:06] – Challenges and Benefits of a Downtown Festival  

The discussion shifts to the logistical hurdles, such as shutting down streets and managing vendor spaces, and how the historic charm of the area makes it all worthwhile.

[12:33] – Managing Power and Noise  

Kelly talks about the importance of sound management during the event, balancing generators and electrical hookups to ensure the festival maintains its lively, welcoming atmosphere.

[21:53] – Festival Park Activities

A breakdown of the additional activities held in Festival Park, including petting zoos, car shows, and carnivals, making it a hub for kids and families during the event.

[28:15] – Economic Impact  

Kelly highlights the positive economic impact of the festival on the local community, from job creation to increased lodging, dining, and shopping revenues.

Quotable Moments:  

[0:01] – "The Blueberry Festival is a true example of a community coming together to celebrate its unique heritage." – Kelly Augustine  

[5:35] – "Even the downtown shops have come to embrace this festival because of the traffic it pulls in." – Kelly Augustine  

[28:15] – "This festival brought in over $1 million in total business sales for our community—it's supporting local businesses and jobs." – Kelly Augustine  

 Links Mentioned:  

• Texas Blueberry Festival Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TexasBlueberryFestival
• Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce: https://www.nacogdoches.org/
• Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful: https://www.keepnacogdochesbeautiful.org/

This episode provides a fascinating look at the benefits and challenges of hosting a festival in a historic downtown setting. Kelly Augustine’s insights offer invaluable lessons for anyone planning a community event, especially in small towns with rich histories. Be sure to follow Festival Soup for more festival planning tips and insights, and don’t forget to visit Nacogdoches next June for the Texas Blueberry Festival!