WINNIE - The Texas Rice Festival gets underway Wednesday at Winnie-Stowell Park.
Click here for more information about the festival
People from across Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma are driving to Winnie to set up their vendor booths for the 43rd Annual Texas Rice Festival.
There will be 70 vendors selling food and gifts at Winnie Stowell Park when the festival opens Wednesday.
This year, there's a second stage for local entertainers.
Six news Anchor Ashley Gaston went to Winnie and met with a vendor who has traveled to the festival ever year since it began.
Vendors from all across Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana are setting up their booths.
Some drove hundreds of miles and some didn't drive far at all.
"AL T's has been here since the rice festival started," said Shane Chesson.
Shane Chesson spent his childhood watching his Aunts and Uncles set up the the AL T's restaurant booth.
Now, he's building the booth while his son sits nearby.
"It's been a big big part of my life, our entire lives," said Chesson.
Chesson's family has built the floor for the booth in the same location for 43 years.
It's on the main drag, near the stage.
"It's like a big family reunion, you'll see people you haven't seen in years," said Chesson.
Chesson says the festival brings tens of thousands of people to winnie every year.
"Oh its a great boost to the Winnie economy, you have all your vendors, motels, restaurants full," said Chesson.
There will be 70 vendors packed inside the Winnie Stowell Park, a carnival midway and two stages.
Chesson said even though he'll be working...his favorite part is socializing with people he only sees once a year.
"You get to see people your close too but you don't see all the time, how much they've grown and how things are changing," said Chesson.
A family festival that has created so many memories for people like Shane Chesson and one he enjoys sharing with his family and friends.
The rice festival is known for bringing in good entertainment.
This year it will feature Eastin Corbin, Wayne Toups and Bag of Donuts from New Orleans.
Texas Rice Festival begins Wednesday
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