Nederland Heritage Festival launches Tuesday with bigger, better food booth setup
Published 11:04 am Monday, March 9, 2020
- The ferris wheel is up in Nederland as one of the highlight rides at the Nederland Heritage Festival, which gets underway this month.
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NEDERLAND — For the 47th year, the Nederland Heritage Festival launches a week of family fun on Boston Avenue.
This year, the festival begins Tuesday (March 10) and runs through Sunday (March 15).
The theme for the festival is “2020 Our Vision is Clear.”
“We definitely have something special here,” festival Executive Director Shannon Hemby said. “So people say things have an ‘it’ factor and you’re not sure what ‘it’ is. It may be that we have no gate (charge), so it is free to enter. You can park freely wherever it is legal to park. You can come out here and listen to the music for free, support the local nonprofits that sell food and have a really good time knowing you are in a safe community, where your kids can ride rides and you don’t have to stay with them every step of the way.”
Shannon Hemby volunteered for more than 20 years with the Nederland Heritage Festival before taking over in 2016 as the yearly event’s executive director.
The fun began earlier this year when Scott Nutt was dubbed the new Mr. Nederland. The other major announcement occurred when Nederland High School senior Lilei Shipley won Miss Nederland. Also celebrated were the various winners in the younger pageant categories.
Clues for the $500 annual treasure hunt will be posted on the door to the Nederland Police Station starting Monday. There are no daily prizes.
Hemby said the biggest thing she is looking forward to seeing is all the nonprofit organizations selling food.
“When they tell us they have had a record-breaking night, that is great for us,” she said. “We have 20 booths, completely full. We will have a new food court area this year, so we won’t have the same double line where it is crowded in the middle. We’ll better service the community, the patrons and the concession workers here to raise money for their non-profit.”
A new paved food court will be used in 2020.
The new paved food court area has been years in the making with city, engineer and construction benchmarks to clear.
“It’s been a very long process but one that is worth the wait,” Hemby said. “We’re going to use our existing food vendors area with one line, then we will turn into the new area, which will also have a 20-by-40 covered tent with picnic tables. We will utilize it for not only our food vendors but also for a whole other eating area.”
More room for food vendors in 2020 means easier access for festival patrons.
Tuesday is the first official day of the Nederland Heritage Festival, which includes Carnival hours from 4-11 p.m. It is also a special $25 armband day.
Guest Services is located in front of the Nederland Heritage Festival Pavilion at the end of the Cuisine Walk.
The carnival is open from 4-11 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
The “Famous Cuisine Walk” begins Monday and concludes Sunday.
Children will also have a chance to check out Pappy’s Ponies and Petting Zoo, which will be located next to the French Museum.
Saturday promises to be one of the busiest days for the festival. The Motorcycle & Car Show takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Boston Avenue between 14th & 15th streets.
The Chili Cook-off begins at 8 a.m. at 13th Street and Boston Avenue. Judging is at 1 p.m. Cups for unlimited tasting can be purchased for $3.
Those needing some respite from the fast pace of Saturday’s events can wander over to the police department for an Art and Photography Show, with a display of the entries from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Those hoping to catch some of the entertainment fun Saturday should find the Philpott Ford Main Stage, with Tonalta School of Music taking the stage from noon to 2 p.m., Section 51 – Lamar State College Port Arthur performing from 3 to 4 p.m. and Champagne Room performing from 7 to 10 p.m.
Ned & Company will be taking the stage at 4 p.m. on the Tex Ritter Park Stage.
Another highlight is the parade beginning at 10 a.m. at Nederland Avenue and 21st Street.
Sunday is a day for competition with “Crawfish Races” and a washer tournament.
Pick out the fastest crawfish. There will be 10 heats with a winner in each heat to compete for the Grand Championship.
Registration is from 11 p.m. to noon, and the entry fee is $5. The First Heat is at noon in front of the Nederland Heritage Festival Stage.
Characters in the Park will begin greeting children near the “kid rides” at 2 p.m.
The Washer Tournament with fun and prizes begins with registration at 1 p.m. and the tournament at Tex Ritter Park Pavilion starting at 2 p.m.
It is $20 per team. Grab a friend for the fun.
Schedule of Events:
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2020
Carnival – Gold Star Amusement Co., Inc. This is the first day of the NHF Carnival! Carnival hours are 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Special $25.00 armband day!
Treasure Hunt (continued) Co-sponsored by Melancon’s Funeral Home
Clues for the $500.00 treasure will be posted at the Nederland Police Station. *NO daily prizes
Guest Services – Located in front of the NHF Pavilion at the end of the Cuisine Walk
Hosted by: Refresh Flowers by Arin Thompson – 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Hosted by: Law Dog Lawn & Landscaping – 7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
T-shirts, programs, cups and koozies are for sale! Lost children will be taken to the Guest Services booth located in front of the NHF Pavilion at the end of the Cuisine Walk.
NHF’s Famous “Cuisine” Walk Co-Sponsored by J.K Subaru/J.K Chevrolet
Hours: 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Support local non-profits and enjoy the new open space in NHF Square!
NHF/Philpott Ford Stage
Entertainer: My Beautiful Disaster – Co-sponsored by Entergy
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Petting Zoo Time: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Located on the Midway next to the French Museum.
Come visit Pappy’s Ponies and Petting Zoo
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2020
Carnival – Gold Star Amusement Co., Inc. – Hours: 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Treasure Hunt (continued) Co-sponsored by Melancon’s Funeral Home
Clues for the $500.00 treasure will be posted at the Nederland Police Station. *NO daily prizes
Guest Services – Located in front of the NHF Pavilion at the end of the Cuisine Walk
Hosted by: Fellowship Baptist Church – 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Hosted by: Mary Kay Cosmetics – Sara Stewart – 7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
NHF’s Famous “Cuisine” Walk Co-Sponsored by J.K Subaru/J.K Chevrolet
Hours: 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Plan to spend some of your Festival time in the Cuisine Walk. We believe
somewhere along the way you will find many tempting goodies to sample!
NHF/Philpott Ford Stage
Entertainer: Matt Flynn – Co-sponsored by Edward Jones Investments
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Petting Zoo Time: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Located on the Midway next to the French Museum.
Come visit Pappy’s Ponies and Petting Zoo
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020
Carnival – Gold Star Amusement Co., Inc. -Hours: 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Special $25.00 armband day!
Treasure Hunt (continued) Co-sponsored by Melancon’s Funeral Home
Clues for the $500.00 treasure will be posted at the Nederland Police Station. *NO daily prizes
Guest Services – Located in front of the NHF Pavilion at the end of the Cuisine Walk
Hosted by: Learning Hands Preschool 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Hosted by: Pax Supply HVAC Supplies 7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
NHF’s Famous “Cuisine” Walk Co-Sponsored by J.K Subaru/J.K Chevrolet
Hours: 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Support local non-profits and enjoy the new open space in NHF Square!
NHF/Philpott Ford Stage
Entertainer: Curse & The Cure – Co-sponsored by Beacon Security
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Petting Zoo Time: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Located on the Midway next to the French Museum.
Come visit Pappy’s Ponies and Petting Zoo
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020
Carnival – Gold Star Amusement Co., Inc. – Hours: 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Treasure Hunt (continued) Co-sponsored by Melancon’s Funeral Home
Clues for the $500.00 treasure will be posted at the Nederland Police Station. *NO daily prizes
Guest Services – Located in front of the NHF Pavilion at the end of the Cuisine Walk
Hosted by: Brandon M. Roberts Licensed Professional Counselor – 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Hosted by: Volkswagen of Beaumont-Carolyn James – 7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
NHF’s Famous “Cuisine” Walk Co-Sponsored by J.K Subaru/J.K Chevrolet
Hours: 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Plan to spend some of your Festival time in the Cuisine Walk. We believe
somewhere along the way you will find many tempting goodies to sample!
NHF/Philpott Ford Stage
Entertainer: Dustin Sonnier – Co-sponsored by Texas First Bank
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Petting Zoo Time: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Located on the Midway next to the French Museum.
Come visit Pappy’s Ponies and Petting Zoo
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020
Art and Photography Show – Co-sponsored by the Nederland Art Guild
Held at the Nederland Police Department – Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Carnival – Gold Star Amusement Co., Inc. – Hours: 10:00 a.m. -11:00 p.m.
Treasure Hunt (continued) Co-sponsored by Melancon’s Funeral Home
Clues for the $500.00 treasure will be posted at the Nederland Police Station. *NO daily prizes
Guest Services – Located in front of the NHF Pavilion at the end of the Cuisine Walk
Hosted by: Oranday Bros Jiu Jitsu – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Hosted by: Flip Factory – 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Hosted by: Oranday Bros Jiu Jitsu – 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
NHF’s Famous “Cuisine” Walk Co-Sponsored by J.K Subaru/J.K Chevrolet
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Support local non-profits and enjoy the new open space in NHF Square!
Parade – Co-sponsored by Texas First Bank begins at 10:00 a.m.
Parade Route: Nederland Ave. at 21st Street – to – 12th Street – to Boston Ave.
Chili Cook-off – Co-sponsored by Market Basket
Cooking begins at 8:00 a.m. at 13th Street and Boston Avenue
Judging will be at 1:00 p.m. Cups for unlimited tasting can be
purchased for $3.00. Awards presented. For more information: 409-724-2269
Motorcycle & Car Show – Co-Sponsored by Neches Federal Credit Union
Boston Avenue – Between 14th & 15th Street
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Awards presented. For more information: 409-724-2269
Petting Zoo Time: 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Located on the Midway next to the French Museum.
Come visit Pappy’s Ponies and Petting Zoo
Craft & Collectables Market – Come visit one of the best craft markets in the area.
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Characters in the Park – Characters will greet festival guests
Appearing at 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. (near kid rides)
NHF/ Philpott Ford Stage
Entertainer: Tonalta School of Music – Time: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Entertainer: Section 51 – Lamar State College Port Arthur – Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Entertainer: Champagne Room – Time: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Co-sponsored by: MCT Credit Union
Tex Ritter Park Stage Time: 4:00 p.m.
Entertainer: Ned & Company
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020
Church of Your Choice
Carnival – Gold Star Amusement Co., Inc. Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Special $25.00 armband day!
Guest Services – Located in front of the NHF Pavilion at the end of the Cuisine Walk
Hosted by: Lawn Dog Lawn & Landscaping – 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Hosted by: Spindletop Center 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
NHF’s Famous “Cuisine” Walk Co-Sponsored by J.K Subaru/J.K Chevrolet
Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Plan to spend some of your Festival time in the Cuisine Walk. We believe
somewhere along the way you will find many tempting goodies to sample!
Crawfish Races – Co-sponsored by Texas Gas Service
Come on down and pick out the fastest crawfish! 10 heats with a winner in each heat to compete for the Grand Championship. Registration: 11:00 p.m. – noon Entry fee $5.00
First Heat at noon in front of the NHF Stage
Washer Tournament – Co-sponsored by Ritter Lumber Company
Grab a friend and join the fun to compete for prizes in the NHF Washer Tournament
Registration: 1:00 p.m. $20.00 per team in Tex Ritter Park
Tournament: Tex Ritter Park Pavilion starting at 2:00 p.m.
Petting Zoo Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Located on the Midway next to the French Museum.
Come visit Pappy’s Ponies and Petting Zoo
Craft & Collectables Market – Come visit one of the best craft markets in the area.
Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Characters in the Park – Characters will greet festival guests
Appearing at 2:00 p.m. (near kid rides)
