TAYLOR — The city is rebranding its annual downtown spring festival into a cultural festival that celebrates East Williamson County’s rich heritage.
The inaugural Taylor Fest will be held Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., centered in downtown Taylor’s Heritage Square with live music and entertainment, food and shopping.
NEW NAME, SAME WEEKEND
Taylor has hosted a springtime festival for decades with several different themes, including Zest Fest and most recently Blackland Prairie Days. For the inaugural Taylor Fest, the city will draw on the region’s tastes and talents to showcase the food and entertainment of several different cultures, organizers said.
“The historic district is the front door of our town. The events that are hosted in Heritage Square reflect Taylor, and a lot of visitors’ first impressions occur in this space,” said Ruby Fisher, the city’s special events coordinator for Main Street. “When the festival was Blackland Prairie Days, the most celebrated performance was the Ballet Folklorico dancers. We wanted to host a selection of cultural performances to reflect the cultures that make up our region of the world.”
COME FOR THE LIVE MUSIC AT TAYLOR FEST
Like previous festivals, Heritage Square will be the epicenter of entertainment and live music. Showcasing the diverse artistic talents of the area, a wide variety of dancing groups and live music will be offered during the festival.
To get the festival started, Hot Pickin 57s, a bluegrass and country band from Austin, will open. The four-piece acoustic band plays with a guitar, a fiddle, a banjo, a mandolin and an upright base. It covers popular Americana songs from Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Bob Willis along with its original songs.
Bramaya, an Austin-based West African dance and drum ensemble, will also play.
Master percussionist Abou Sylla combines new musical ideas and traditional West African rhythms.
Named in honor of his father’s village, Bramaya, Sylla plays the djembe and the balafon, traditional percussion instruments.
ENTERTAINMENT ON TAP
This year, visitors will see the Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team as they perform with a dazzling dragon puppet.
Based out of the University of Texas at Austin, college students have been performing the traditional dragon or lion dance since 2000.
Ballet Folklorico is a fan favorite in Taylor, and the McCallum Ballet Folklorico Team from Austin’s McCallum High School will celebrate with a dance performance. The dancers will don traditional Mexican dresses as they perform Mexican and Central American folklorico dances.
COME FOR THE SHOPPING
In-between live music and entertainment, visitors to the Taylor Fest can browse nearly 50 craft booths in addition to the weekly Farmers Market vendors. Located throughout the Pavilion and City Hall parking lot, festival-goers will have the opportunity to shop for fresh meat, eggs and produce. “There are a lot of craft vendors attending with handmade wooden items, face paint, toys, permanent jewelry, dried floral bouquets, hand-dyed apparel, dreamcatchers and wind chimes,” Fisher said.
Meanwhile, with many independently owned shops just steps from Heritage Square on Main and branching streets, visitors can discover vintage outlets.
Options including Kincl House of Antiques, Vintique Collective, Vintage Affaire Antiques and Netta’s Nook have made Taylor a destination for rare finds and antiques.
FOOD, FOOD AND MORE FOOD
Taylor Fest will offer food trucks and concessions. For other options, visitors can explore downtown’s eateries.
“Grab a drink from any of our local watering holes, like Black Sparrow Music Parlor, Hola Aloha or Neighborhood Bottle Shoppe,” Fisher said. “Downtown Taylor is open-container friendly.”
Rounding out the downtown culinary scene, visitors will find several restaurants within walking distance of Taylor Fest.
From Lucky Duck Cafe and Second Street Station Kitchen and Bar to Monarcas Mexican Restaurant, the city’s central hub continues its trend as a destination for independently owned dining and shopping.
FUN FOR THE KIDS AND DOGS
Attendees are advised to bring a blanket and chair to sit in the grass for the entertainment. The Taylor Fest is a leashed dog-friendly event. Kids will find face painting.
“We want to invite our citizens and neighbors to come to the festival. It isn’t a party without y’all,” Fisher said.
The parking lot between City Hall and Heritage Square will be closed for the Taylor Fest. Main Street will remain open this year.
Visitors are encouraged to use the crosswalks downtown.
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