TEXAS REDS FESTIVAL
11 Years of Wine, Beer, and Steak
By HANNAH GERKEN
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DOWNTOWN BRYAN ASSOCIATION
W
ith a decade of wine, steak, and
music under its belt, Texas Reds
Steak & Grape Festival prepares for its
11th annual festival with more sweet
and savory flavors, and events for the
entire family to enjoy.
The Texas Reds Festival has become
one of Downtown Bryan’s largest events.
This year, Texas Reds will host more
than 25 of Texas’ most popular wineries,
along with craft beer breweries.
To create a hands-on, learning
environment, there will be mini
education seminars at the Palace
Theater. Representatives from
Blackwater Draw Brewing Co. along
with a sommelier will be present to
discuss craft beer and wine. All wineries
under the wine tasting tent will have
representatives from their winery to
answer questions and provide intimate
knowledge to visitors.
“There is a lot of science, a lot of art,
and a lot of love that go into the Texas
wine and beer that are being made,”
says Amanda Reynolds, director of the
Texas Reds Festival. “You get to talk to
the people that are actually making the
product that’s at the festival.”
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Texas Reds is not only for those who
enjoy wine, craft beer, and steak, but
it is also a family friendly event with
activities for everyone. Kids Zone
provides a safe place for children to hang
out with an unlimited all-weekend ticket
that grants access to five bounce houses,
Papaw’s Party Train, and crafts put on by
Purple Turtle Art Studio.
“It’s a very family friendly festival
and atmosphere,” says Sandy Farris,
executive director of the Downtown
Bryan Association. “We always say that
First Friday is like a giant block party …
and Texas Reds is very similar. There’s lots
of people in the streets… Unlike festivals
held at fairgrounds or some venue outside
of the city, our festival is right in the
middle of a historic downtown, which
gives it that additional layer of fun. The
backdrop of all those historical buildings
can’t be duplicated.”
Vendors and Downtown Bryan stores
will have booths offering an assortment
of goods including handmade soap, yard
art, olive oil, clothing, food, and more.
An Artist’s Showcase gives visitors the
opportunity to view and purchase art in a
variety of mixed media.
With the goal of emphasizing the amazing
food options at the festival, new events
have been added in the last two years
to compliment the Saturday Night Steak
Dinner. The Steak Dinner is always a
crowd-pleaser with, what Reynolds likes
to call, “steaks as big as Texas.”
The Saturday Steak Cook-off gives
teams from across the state the
opportunity to showcase their steaks
and beef appetizers with the chance to
win cash prizes. With the purchase of a
sampling wristband, visitors can enjoy
tasting and joining in the fun.
After selling out in its first year,
the Steak and Egg Brunch will be
back this year on Sunday to feature a
mouthwatering combination of breakfast
favorites alongside steak and mimosas.
“We are changing up the menu a little
this year, but it will still be steak and eggs
and Texas wine,” said Reynolds.
Texas Reds also has a powerful line-
up of musical performances to provide
entertainment all weekend. There will be
a mix of major and local bands between
the two stages. So far, the Festival has
confirmed Jack Ingram, Rick Trevino,
and Texas Unlimited Band. The Texas