1th Annual Summer JuneBug Festival Celebrates Art, Music, and Community in Ben Wheeler
Ben Wheeler – The highly anticipated 11th Annual Summer JuneBug Festival is set to kick off on Friday, June 16th, 2023, at 5:00 PM. The festival, hosted at The Forge Bar and Grill, located at 1610 Farm to Market Road 279, promises to be a vibrant celebration of art, music, and community. With an array of talented artisans, captivating performances, and a family-friendly atmosphere, the festival aims to unite residents and visitors alike in the spirit of creativity.
Spanning two exciting days, the festival will run from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM on Friday, June 16th, and from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Saturday, June 17th. Attendees can enter the festival’s evening events by purchasing a $10 event /music pass. Junebug is FREE to attend Saturday from 11am-5pm. One of the festival’s highlights will be the fantastic Kids Arts & Crafts Area, providing young artists with a space to explore their creativity.
The Summer JuneBug Festival showcases a diverse range of artisans, including both established professionals and up-and-coming talents. Attendees will have the opportunity to witness fascinating works of art, indulge in craft cocktails and cold brews, savor delicious food made from locally sourced and sustainable ingredients, and immerse themselves in live performances by a Lyra Artist. The event promises an unforgettable experience for art enthusiasts, music lovers, and families.
Saturday, June 17th, will witness the thrilling Pottery Throwdown, dubbed “Wheel Wars,” taking place at 1:00 PM. Open to all, this exciting event will feature the Queen of Clay, Beth Brown, accompanied by a live music score from Zane Faulhaber. Participants and spectators alike are invited to join in the muddy matches and experience the joy of pottery making firsthand.
The JuneBug Festival embodies a powerful meaning, drawing inspiration from the ancient Mayan belief that Junebugs are “The eyes of their ancestors.” With the vision of their ancestors in mind, the festival creators aimed to showcase a community coming together to celebrate art. This family-friendly event takes place in the picturesque art enclave of Ben Wheeler, Texas, highlighting the remarkable talents of artists, musicians, and artisans from across the Lone Star State.
Live art performances will be a focal point of the festival, featuring captivating demonstrations such as weaving, blacksmithing, glass blowing, pottery throwing, and more. The JuneBug Festival offers a unique opportunity for the community to engage in the art-making process, witnessing firsthand how masterpieces are brought to life.
Sara Brisco, owner of The Forge Bar and Grill in Ben Wheeler, TX, and Potters Brown in Edom, TX, expressed her enthusiasm for the festival, stating, “We focus on live art because we want people in our community to see how things are made and see the art in process.”
Join us at the 11th Annual Summer JuneBug Festival for an extraordinary celebration of art, music, and community. Mark your calendars for Friday, June 16th, from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and Saturday, June 17th, from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. For more information and updates, please visit theforgebenwheeler.com
The Junebug Festival is a cool event in beautiful tucked-away East Texas Ben Wheeler. The Forge, where Junebug takes place, has done a wonderful job of incorporating an idyllic natural environment, think Hobbiton, you know, the town where the Hobbits lived. The place ihas cool art, it’s friendly, fun, has good food, and has the right temperament to pull it all together. Come visit!