Texas State hosts inaugural Wild Rice Festival in Sewell Park

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
April 8, 2014

Texas State University will play host to the inaugural Wild Rice Festival April 11-12 in Sewell Park.

The two-day educational celebration of the San Marcos River and the ecosystem it supports is free and open to the public. The festival will run 5-10 p.m. April 11 and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. April 12. Free parking is available at Strahan Coliseum and the adjacent City Park.

The Wild Rice Festival will feature a wide array of interactive science and sustainability workshops, including nature hikes, environmental education workshops and permaculture activities. Family-friendly activities such as a reptile petting zoo, arts and crafts and movement play arts will also available.

Music and performances featuring local artists such as Shake Russell, Fared Shafinury, ARTheism and many other artists and speakers--including National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Jennifer Pharr Davis--will offer continuous entertainment on the Sewell Park stage.

Both days of the festival will conclude with a movie screening on the banks of the river at nightfall. “River of Innocence” by Ron Coley will be shown 9 p.m. April 11, and the San Marcos premier of “Yakona,” Audience Award Winner at SXSW 2014, will be shown at 9 p.m. April 12.

Sponsors of the Wild Rice Festival include The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, H.E.A.T. of Texas State, Texas State Environmental Service Committee, Texas Parks and Wildlife, San Marcos River Foundation, San Marcos Area Arts Council, Edwards Aquifer Authority, Texas State Print and Mail Services, Upcycle Organics, Eco-Pioneers, Tantra Coffee House, Root Cellar, Swimming Pig Productions, Yakona, San Marcos Voice, Hochheim Prarie Insurance, Scuba Club of Texas State, Wake the Dead Coffee Shop, Creation Flame, Jane Hughson, Classic Tattoo, Bright Sky, 04 Arts Foundation and Brian D. F. Archer.

For more information, visit www.texaswildricefestival.org.