MERCEDES — Like a reflex, Texas Street Festival organizers have this year’s event already planned.
The Labor Day weekend event is slated for Sept. 3.
“I am so excited about this year because we have two Grammy Award wining artists coming this year,” said Raquel Gomez, festival co-chair and Mercedes Chamber of Commerce president. “David Lee Garza y Los Musicales and Grupo Solido will be taking the stage.”
Two stages with live music from noon until midnight will highlight the eighth annual Texas Street Festival.
“And we are bringing in different bands that will attract the younger people,” Gomez said.
She said the festival will have a children’s carnival, cooling zones, live wrestling, an art walk and wine tasting and mascots from different companies will also be there.
“When the mascots come in the kids just want to take pictures and hug them,” Gomez said. “They are just fun and the kids just gravitate toward them.”
Gomez said the Texas Street Festival has become a staple in the community for families and friends Valley-wide. They are expecting more than 20,000 people at this year’s festival because of the music artists.
“We have had anywhere from 18,000 to 22,000 people come in a year,” Gomez said. “Maybe they are not all there all at one time, but we do hire a company who counts every person who comes in.”
The free festival, hosted by the city of Mercedes, the Development Corporation of Mercedes and the Mercedes Area Chamber of Commerce, takes up three city blocks.
“The event is going to be very entertaining and fun,” Gomez said.
The festival is set in Mercedes’ historic downtown district between Business 83 and Fifth Street.
Off-street parking is available, but organizers suggest getting their early to get a good spot close to the festival.
“It brings a lot of pride to the city and people who live here are starting to boast about it,” Gomez said. “We offer all of our entertainment for free.”
