NEDERLAND — Purses made from actual Janis Joplin vinyl records are already spinning out the door of IZ Funky Resale in Nederland, but Donna Childress ordered another huge bunch set to arrive for Nederland Heritage Festival crowds.

It’s natural that Joplin fans in her hometown area would enjoy toting a chic conversation piece with the singer’s image, and Beatles bags are destined to sell, but Childress said she’s surprised a the number of Led Zeppelin and Tom Petty purses she hangs high on a chain, only to quickly lower them for sales. Shoppers are loving the goods from an Arkansas company that turns albums and their covers into wearable art.

Childress’s shop is on Boston Avenue, home of this week’s Nederland Heritage Festival. Several quaint businesses line this old-town area beckoning shoppers to browse antiques, candles, chocolate creations, the latest fashions and more. At the end is the big carnival with even more opportunities for tourists and residents to boost the economy.

Wanda Hollier, festival director, said the Cuisine Walk is a fabulous opportunity for non-profit social and civic groups to raise funds for scholarships, uniforms and other projects.

The Nederland Chamber of Commerce is stationed in the big middle of festival grounds. Cindy Clifton, the chamber’s executive director, said about 200,000 are expected to visit the affair that celebrates Nederland’s Dutch heritage.

“The festival does bring in people and it does boost our sales tax revenue and the tourism of Nederland,” Clifton said. “It’s one of the biggest draws of the season and it brings in thousands.”

Vendors from as far away as Arkansas are headed to the craft market and this puts “heads in beds,” Clifton said. These visitors spend money at hotels, restaurants, etc. They come in the chamber for maps of the area, she said.

“It’s helping our economy. Every dollar turns, like seven times. When someone spends a dollar, ti helps our sales tax and it keeps on rolling,” she said.

Saturday’s parade focuses on an even wider area.

“People stand around and look at the parade. It brings people into businesses on all these streets and that’s a plus, too. At Christmas (parades) they’re standing there and they go in and shop,” Clifton said.

Everyone’s into the weather forecast business at festival time, and Clifton had her own prediction.

“It’s going to be a great, beautiful weekend and everybody needs to come out and enjoy it and have a good time,” she said.

“Let’s Try it Again in 2010” is the Nederland Heritage Festival’s theme. The festival is set for March 9-14 along Boston Avenue in Nederland. For more festival information, call Wanda Hollier at 724-2269.

Wednesday, March 10

• Treasure hunt, co-sponsored by Broussard’s Mortuary, lasts until treasure is found

 • 4-11 p.m. — Carnival, Gold Star Amusement Co. Co-sponsor: JK Chevrolet

• 7 p.m. — Guest Relations, City of Nederland, JK Chevrolet

• 4-11 p.m. — Cuisine Walk

• 4-10 p.m. — Marsha’s Petting Zoo. Co-sponsor: Valero

 • 4-11 p.m. — Battle of the Bands, Triple “P” Construction, A&S Music, Lumpkin Photography.



Thursday, March 11

• Treasure hunt, co-sponsored by Broussard’s Mortuary, lasts until treasure is found

• 4-11 p.m. — Carnival, Gold Star Amusement Co. Co-sponsor: JK Chevrolet

• 4 p.m.-closing — Guest Relations, Calvary Baptist Church

• 4-11 p.m. — Cuisine Walk

• 4-10 p.m. — Marsha’s Petting Zoo. Co-sponsor: Valero

 • 7-10 p.m. — Curtis Breaux & The Cadillacs, Edward Jones Investments

 • 5 p.m. — Entertainment to be announced



Friday, March 12

• Treasure hunt, co-sponsored by Broussard’s Mortuary, lasts until treasure is found

• 4-11 p.m. — Carnival, Gold Star Amusement Co. Co-sponsor: JK Chevrolet

•  4 p.m.-closing — Guest Relations, Airport Gulf Towing & Recovery, MobilOilFCU

• 4-11 p.m. — Cuisine Walk

• 4-10 p.m. — Marsha’s Petting Zoo. Co-sponsor: Valero

 • 7-11 p.m.  — Jimmy Kaiser Band, J.D. Knight Construction

 • 5 p.m. — Entertainment to be announced



Saturday, March 13

• 10 a.m. — Parade, DuPont Goodrich FCU. From Nederland Avenue at 21st Street to Twin City Highway to Boston Avenue.

• 8 a.m. — Chili Cookoff, Market Basket. Cooking to begin at 8 a.m. at Bank of America Drive-In lot. Judging at 1 p.m., tasting cups for $3.

• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. — Motorcycle and Car Show, Neches Federal Credit Union, at Bank of America lot.

 • 10-11 p.m. — Carnival, Gold Star Amusement Co. Co-sponsor: JK Chevrolet

• Noon-closing — Guest Relations, Gulf Coast Leathernecks, Texas Coffee Co., Relay for Life

• 10 a.m. — Craft & Collectibles Market

• 10 a.m.-11 p.m. — Cuisine Walk

• 10 a.m.-10 p.m. — Marsha’s Petting Zoo. Co-sponsor: Valero

•  2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. — Characters in the Park

•  4 p.m. — Ned & Co.

• 1-4 p.m. —  Hello Chief & Other Special Guests, Airport Gulf Towing & Recovery.

 • 7-10 p.m.  — Pete Tatum & Pure Texas



Sunday, March 14

 • Church of your choice

• Noon-dark — Carnival, Gold Star Amusement Co. Co-sponsor: JK Chevrolet

•1-4 p.m. — Guest Relations, Airport Gulf Towing & Recovery, MobilOilFCU

• Noon-dark — Cuisine Walk

• Noon, 2 p.m.,  4 p.m. — Characters in the Park

•10 a.m.-close — Marsha’s Petting Zoo. Co-sponsor: Valero

• 2 p.m. — Washer tournament, Ritter Lumber Co., NHF Pavilion

• Noon- 5 p.m. — Craft & Collectible Market