Summerfest 2022 launching at city park
Past Riverfest attendees enjoy kayak races and a slip-n-slide. This year, Riverfest has been replaced by Summerfest, with different organizers and proceeds benefitting a different organization. Courtesy Photo
On June 25, Bandera City Summerfest will hit the ground running at Bandera City Park.
Presented by the Bandera County 4-H Shotgun Club and partnered with the City of Bandera, organizers Vicki Browning, Misty Dietrich and Debbie Asher are working to host an attraction-packed summer event for the family.
On April 19, the City Council approved the facility use agreement for this event at City Park to the 4-H club.
The event will benefit the Bandera County 4H Shotgun team, Bandera County Boys & Girls Club (BGC), and the Bandera Volunteer Fire Department (VFD).
“By spreading the money around we hope to entertain our guests and hopefully raise enough for these groups that it will help them through these lean times. It's our way of giving more to our community,” said Browning.
Summerfest attractions include kid’s activities, a mechanical bull, duck races, slip & slide, a cornhole tournament, a car show, live music by Rebel Roxie, a Bandera Idol competition, food trucks, and retail vendors, of which 25 are registered.
Highlighting the festival is the official BBQ cook-off, sanctioned by the Lone Star Barbecue Society. This competition invites grilling and smoking buffs to “get your cook on” using their own BBQ pits and smokers.
On the river, there will be kayak races and their website hints that you might even see a floating water parade.
In addition, the event will include an educational event, presented by the Bandera County EMS, State Health Department, and Care Flight. Although not confirmed yet, there may be a care flight helicopter on site, a cooling station for visitors, and a display that shows how hot a car can get while sitting in the sun.
The kayak races will be hosted by the Bandera VFD. Festival goers bring their own kayaks. The corn hole tournament and the duck races will be hosted by BGC. Joseph Tharp, Assistant Director and Social Media Officer of the BGC Teen Center, is coordinating the rubber duck sales and has, to date, sold over 400 ducks to support the youth of the community.
Browning, Dietrich, and Asher have been Bandera community members for over 30 years. During those years, they have volunteered and raised money for different youth groups in Bandera County.
Browning summarized, “It’s a whole day of Summerfest fun. You will have a great time and help the organizations raise much needed money to stay afloat!”
Summerfest will run from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on June 25 at City Park located at 1102 Maple St. in Bandera. The fee is $10 per person. There will be free roadside parking.
Interested participants for the BBQ cook-off and vendors can go to the festival website to apply banderaparkfest.com