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The Fayette County Record
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Published 4 years ago
Last updated 4 years ago
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Schulenburg Festival Attendance Down from Previous Years, But Event Still Draws Thousands

By Andy Behlen
  • The band “Little Texas” and country music up-and-comer Kolby Cooper performed Friday night before a well-attended crowd at the Schulenburg Festival. Photos by Andy Behlen
    The band “Little Texas” and country music up-and-comer Kolby Cooper performed Friday night before a well-attended crowd at the Schulenburg Festival. Photos by Andy Behlen
  • The parade on Sunday at the Schulenburg Festival featured 52 entries, down from the usual hundred or so floats in years past. Children were especially absent from the parade crowd, likely because organizers prohibited candy throwing this year due to COVID-19 precautions.
    The parade on Sunday at the Schulenburg Festival featured 52 entries, down from the usual hundred or so floats in years past. Children were especially absent from the parade crowd, likely because organizers prohibited candy throwing this year due to COVID-19 precautions.
  • Kolby Cooper performed Friday night at the Festival. Photos by Andy Behlen
    Kolby Cooper performed Friday night at the Festival. Photos by Andy Behlen
  • The Schulenburg High Athletic Booster Club hamburger stand kept people fed throughout the weekend.
    The Schulenburg High Athletic Booster Club hamburger stand kept people fed throughout the weekend.
  • Local team Spice, Spice Baby won the showmanship award in the CASI-sanctioned Chili cookoff.
    Local team Spice, Spice Baby won the showmanship award in the CASI-sanctioned Chili cookoff.
  • Shane Smith and the Saints performed Saturday night at the Festival.
    Shane Smith and the Saints performed Saturday night at the Festival.
  • Schulenburg High School Cheerleaders brought back the dunking booth to the Festival this year.
    Schulenburg High School Cheerleaders brought back the dunking booth to the Festival this year.

Thousands flocked to Wolters Park in Schulenburg for the 2021 Schulenburg Festival this past weekend.

The “National Party of Texas,” as the event bills itself, featured four days of music entertainment, rodeo action, cookoffs, sports tournaments, a parade, carnival and more.

Southbound 955 of Fayetteville opened up the festivities Thursday night.

“It’s great, an awesome crowd, things are finally getting back to normal a little bit,” said the band’s John Minarcik. “We’re having a good time. It looks like its going to be a good Festival.”

The band Little Texas and country music up-and-comer Kolby Cooper performed Friday night before a well-attended crowd.

On Saturday, former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini made an appearance at the Shorthorns Forever booth. Dozens lined up for autographs. Pastorini also signed a football and a jersey for Shorthorns Forever, which the group will give away in a fundraiser at a later date.

Cindi Mueller of Carmine won the CASI-sanctioned chili cookoff. Caleb Warden of Deer Park and his Kickin’ Kajun Smokehouse won the overall championship in the IBCAsanctioned Barbecue Cookoff. He also took home first place in brisket and ribs.

Shane Smith and the Saints headlined the entertainment lineup Saturday night. The band’s distinct four-part harmonies and fiddle-driven melodies wowed the audience. Some remarked that it may have been one of the best musical performances ever at the Festival.

The parade on Sunday featured 52 entries, down from the usual hundred or so floats that would appear in years past. The crowd watching the parade, like the crowd at Wolters Park, was noticeably lighter than in years past. Children were especially absent from the parade crowd, likely because organizers prohibited candy throwing this year due to COVID-19 precautions.

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