Second Annual West Texas Heritage Festival coming up this fall

Jul. 18—The colorful cultural tapestry of West Texas will once again be on full display, when Basin PBS hosts the Second Annual West Texas Heritage Festival — A Fusion of Culture, Oct. 5 at Midland's Centennial Park.

The event, which is free to the public, will highlight the diverse cultures that comprise West Texas, and will feature live performances, local cuisine and artisanal crafts.

The festival kicks off at 2 p.m. that Saturday, culminating at 7 p.m. with a free concert featuring The Wailers, the renowned reggae band formed by former members of Bob Marley and the Wailers after the reggae legend's untimely death in 1981.

"We're thrilled to bring back the West Texas Heritage Festival for a second year, bigger and better," said Laura Wolf, Basin PBS CEO and general manager. "With so many cultures represented in West Texas, visitors will have the chance to learn about different countries and how they contribute to our vibrant community."

As with last year's event, the outdoor festival will feature something for everyone. But as with all things Basin PBS, fun learning for young people will receive extra focus.

The Basin BPBS KIDS Tent will serve as an interactive area designed especially for children. Young attendees can embark on an educational adventure with the Heritage Passport activity. Here's how it works:

— Upon entering the festival grounds, youngsters can pick up their Heritage Passport, which guides them on a fun and informative journey throughout the celebration.

— With passport in hand, children can visit various booths and learn about different aspects of West Texas heritage. Each of these booths will provide a unique stamp for the youngsters' passports.

— After collecting all passport stamps, children can return to the Basin PBS KIDS Tent to receive a special prize.

This year's festival is made possible through the support of Midland Energy Inc., Abell-Hanger Foundation, DMMD and Centennial Park Midland.

"With the event being free for vendors and the community, Basin PBS is providing something special to West Texas," Wolf said. "And, with the free Wailers concert, this is a truly inclusive event, offering something special for every member of the family."

Groups interested in featuring a booth at the event can obtain more information by visiting Basin PBS' website at basinpbs.org.