Jimmy Dean fest to bring concerts, food, fun to Plainview this weekend

PLAINVIEW — The Jimmy Dean Music and Arts Festival taking place on the Wayland Baptist University campus this Friday and Saturday will have something for everyone, including numerous concerts, food trucks and arts and crafts vendors, as well as a chance to catch a glimpse of rarely seen Jimmy Dean artifacts.

Now in its second year, the festival honors the late entertainer, sausage mogul and Plainview native son, with proceeds benefitting the Jimmy Dean Museum.

The Plainview Lions Club kicks off the festivities Friday night, selling hamburgers at 5 p.m. ahead of an acoustic concert by Billy Dean in the Harral Memorial Auditorium at 7.

The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Dean is known for chart-topping singles like "Billy the Kid," "Only Here for a While" and "Somewhere in My Broken Heart." Dean, who is not related to the festival namesake, released a new single just last month titled "The Rest of It's Mine."

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"Although he’s been called the James Taylor of country music, Billy Dean’s newest release is peppered with hints of Jimmy Buffett’s music, a tribute to Billy’s Florida roots,” Wayland marketing director Gary Vaughn said. “We’re taking the festival up a notch this year with Billy Dean."

Floydada-based band Jason Nutt and Highway 70 will open for Dean Friday night.

Noel and Ben Haggard, sons of country music legend Merle Haggard, will wrap up the festival Saturday night with a musical tribute to their late father. Plainview musicians Steve Burris and the High Plains Drifters will open the Saturday show.

Advance tickets for the two headline concerts are $35 and available at jimmydeanmuseum.com. Tickets will be available at the door if they are not sold out in advance.

Between the two concerts are free events and more concerts for the whole family Saturday.

"From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, just about everything is free," Vaughn said. "This is a great opportunity to enjoy family friendly activities inside the cool Laney Activities Center as well as outside in the warm sunshine. There is really something for everyone."

During that time, up to 50 arts and crafts vendors are expected inside the Laney with food trucks set up in the parking lot. Concerts taking place throughout the day on the steps of Hutcherson Gymnasium include David Lee Rodriguez, a Grammy-nominated Tejano singer; The Royal Priesthood, a gospel musical group from Happy Union Baptist Church; and Adaryll Jordan, an energetic saxophone and Texas Tech music grad.

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The festival will feature a new attraction this year called "Painting with a Twang" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. During that event, artists from Lubbock-based Painting with a Twist will assist participants with creating “Hello Fall” art pieces while sipping cool lemonade, which organizers say was one of Jimmy Dean’s favorite beverages. All supplies are provided, and each participant takes home their completed canvas. Tickets to this event are already sold out.

In addition to all of the activities taking place during the two days, the Jimmy Dean Museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday with free admission. In addition to the permanent collection, visitors will get a rare chance to view Jimmy Dean's jewelry collection valued at almost $1 million.

"This is a collection of 19 exceptional pieces that the late musician's wife, Donna, has entrusted to the Jimmy Dean Museum, including crown jewels like the famous gold and diamond belt buckle the entertainer wore during his performances," Vaughn said.

The jewelry collection, which is usually not on public display, also includes Dean's custom Italian watch and a 95-diamond necklace given to his wife as a wedding gift.

"This festival is a celebration," Vaughn said. “Not only are we honoring one of Plainview favorite sons, but we are celebrating with great music, the arts and family-friendly activities. This event is just like Jimmy Dean, the man we honor — bigger than life."

Additional information on the Jimmy Dean Museum and the festival is at jimmydeanmuseum.com

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Jimmy Dean Music and Arts Festival coming to Plainview this weekend