Festival gets better with age
Published 6:04 pm Tuesday, February 27, 2018
By Lorenzo Salinas
Some things seem to just get better with age.
The first Nederland Heritage Festival was held in 1973. This year, it continues its legacy of being a fun, popular and all-ages venue for family and friends.
“We’re 45 years old; or, as we like to say it, we’re 45 years of being awesome,” Shannon Hemby, NHF executive director, said.
In line with the theme, a 45 rpm vinyl record features prominently in the festival’s “Made In 1973” title for 2018.
“When everybody came for our mixer, those who knew what they were realized we had 45 vinyl records hanging from the ceiling,” Hemby said.
She had fun alluding to the guests who didn’t know what they were as probably being too young to understand. Still, one needn’t be born in the 70s to enjoy the festival and all its activities.
“Of course the (Nederland) Chamber will have everybody’s favorite: funnel cake,” Hemby said. “All of our normal rides are coming back and our normal food vendors are coming back as well.”
Hemby mentioned a fun fact that everyone may not know. Every food vendor who takes part in NHF will be working for a nonprofit and will be raising money for their respective organizations.
Some of the new food items include street tacos, tamales and red beans and rice. However, Hemby said her favorite new dish would probably have to be the chicken and dumplings that would be offered on fair grounds.
Meanwhile, the new ride that’s set to make kids swoon while having a similar but less comfortable effect on their parents would be the 2 Extreme, a ride Hemby said she would promote but certainly not ride.
And whether it’s a Passport for Fun — where people get to ride all six days of the festival for one price — or the food, rides and games that are the hallmark of NHF, the 45th annual event would seem to hold a special place for those wanting something familiar after Harvey.
“A lot of people were displaced from their homes and have since come to Nederland,” Hemby said. “So, they want to do something normal and fun with their families. They really want to do something family-oriented.”
The 2018 Nederland Heritage Festival runs from March 13 to 18. Passports for Fun can be purchased for $45 each at the Heritage Festival office on 1523 Boston Ave.
“I hope we have a great turnout and want everybody to be safe and to have fun here in celebration of our 45th festival,” Hemby said.
