Best of BOERNEFEST: BLOCK PARTY 2013

BoerneFest

– “Family Fun Found in Community, Commerce, and Culture”

-San Antonio, Gabriel Diego Delgado

May 17 - 19, Boerne, Texas will continue one of their newest festival traditions –“BoerneFest”.  In its second year, Best of BOERNEFEST: BLOCK PARTY 2013 is a fabulously family-friendly weekend, all centered on Boerne’s downtown Main Plaza Square.  Art exhibitions, free concerts, local vendors, local commerce, a farmer’s market, an “Art Waddle” art/craft walk, kids events and activities, and much more awaits you at this unique three days of family fun in Historic Boerne.

Best of BOERNEFEST: BLOCK PARTY 2013, “is essentially a collaboration of four entities, the Greater Boerne Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Boerne, Hill Country Mile, and the Hill Country Council of Arts”, says HCC President, Doris Perez.  “It is a way to showcase all the arts of our area”, she adds. In addition to all the visual arts and wares for sale there will be three different stages that will showcase free performances ranging from high school theatricals to regional choirs, to Community Theater, to well known country bands like Two Tons of Steel and Gary P. Nunn. 

“It is a wonderful reason to come and experience what Boerne has to offer”, states Perez. 

At 7 pm Friday, Two Tons of Steel”, a rockabilly/country band will be performing on the Main Stage as part of the Best of BOERNEFEST: BLOCK PARTY 2013  Outdoor Free Concert Series…. in addition to music,  all the vendors, food trucks, local commerce tables, sales of beer and wine continues all weekend”.

For Best of BOERNEFEST: BLOCK PARTY 2013, Saturday is all about the Arts.  “Previous year’s BoerneFest focus was on the Heart of Boerne and Currey Creek trails and the river expansion projects”, said Donald Darst, President of Boerne Professional Artists. “However as the festival gets bigger we are able to add more and more vendors, events, and artists to help make the weekend more successful…This is the first time BoerneFest is doing an art show”, he gladly emphasizes. “With this year’s theme of Community, Commerce, and Culture, BPA is collaborating with the HCC to exhibit high quality fine art by regional visual artists showcasing artwork done in acrylics, oils and watercolors, pottery, jewelry, woodcarvings and more; all of which are available for sale and purchase during this wonderful event”, Darst adds.

BPA wants to keep the art synergy going in Boerne, having just ended another successful run with their annual Parade of Artists weekend in April.  “Boosting over 35 fine artists, the BoerneFest Art show is an event not to be missed”, Darst closes. The BPA sponsored art sale will begin at 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday May 18, 2013 at Waterworks Terrace- 100 N. Main behind Main Plaza- Look for the white tents.

 On Saturday May 18^th the Farmers Market at the Cibilo will set up produce starting at 8:30 am till 12:30 pm at the Plaza Square. At 10 am – 2 pm there will be “Art on the Plaza”, a kid’s art area sponsored by the HCC and the Cibilo Nature Center- a “make and take” art experience for elementary through high school age children. Each art station will be guided by local artists at different art tables.  Plus, on Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm an eclectic array of artists will be giving demonstrations of various art making methods; from Plein Air painting to textile looming to other Fine Art techniques at the Main Square Plaza. Rounding out the art events is a themed venture titled: “Donation/Creation”. Doris Perez says, “This idea has been initiated by the HCC and several local nonprofits…throughout the Boerne business community companies are setting up donation stations in their stores and corporations; asking for donations for various pre-selected items: canned food items , pet food, school supplies, and baby items.  Each creation station at Best of BOERNEFEST: BLOCK PARTY 2013 will have local business employees / volunteers partnering with the public to build sculptures made from these donations. At the end of the day the volunteers and employees will disassemble the art and donate the items to the relevant social services and community based entities.”

In addition to the Fine Art Sale by BPA on Saturday, the HCC has partnered with other residents in the City of Boerne for a Sunday Art venture; having curated an art walk dubbed “The Art Waddle”-  a reference to the infamous ducks that have become the signature fowl for the Boerne river walk, says Perez. The “Waddle” will start on Sunday May 19^th at 204 W. San Antonio St. in the “Flats” subdivision on the other side of the creek opposite of Waterworks Terrace at 10 am and will continue till 4 pm, allowing festival goers to meander along a predestined walk-able route.  Local crafters, artisans and artists will be selling their wares in a yard-sale format with areas designated and identified by lawn signs bearing the “waddling” Duck.

Sunday will also emphasize the “Community” with a special focus on the many facets of the Faith-based population in the Boerne Area. From 12 noon till 5 pm local churches and organizations will be performing on the three stages to perform various religious hymns and spiritual music numbers.  Highlights of Sunday’s church performances will include an 85 person choir on the Main Stage.

Be sure to mark your calendars for a great weekend of Community, Commerce, and Culture in Historic Boerne, TX with BOERNEFEST: BLOCK PARTY 2013 on May 17 – 19, 2013. Come on out and see why BOERNEFEST demonstrates why Boerne holds the title of the 4th Best Small Town in America.

 ©Gabriel Diego Delgado