The Lead Sept. 16, 2022: The River Festival launches two weeks of mega events in Kerr County!

Good morning, Kerr County!

Sunny and warm. That's it, folks. That's the forecast. Happy Friday. No, seriously, that's all the National Weather Service says.

On today's The Lead Live!

We welcome multiple guests today to discuss stuff and things. We earnestly begin a two-week run of festivals. We'll have Sarah Derousseau and Fluffy Cash preview the Sept. 24-25 Texas Arts and Crafts Fair to open today's show. In the show's second half, we'll visit Misty Erlund and Clifton Fifer to discuss Sunday's community picnic at Carver Park. As usual, we'll have Texas Hill Country Advisor Andrew Gay with a look at the markets, and Julie Davis will provide us with a look at the rest of the weekend's event, along with a preview of the coming week.

The events are on point

As we mentioned previously, this week's big event is Kerrville River Fest and today's Tex Fest at Schreiner University. Both events are connected but feature unique components. Schreiner's events start at 9 a.m., and there's music throughout the day.

However, Saturday's musical lineup for River Fest is impressive. Here's the headliners for Saturday:

3:30 p.m. – Walt Wilkins

4:45 p.m. – Shake Russell

6 p.m. – Michael Salgado

8:15 p.m. – Kyle Park

Not familiar with these performers? Here's a sample:

Walt Wilkins

Shake Russell

Michael Salgado

Kyle Park

Just some friendly reminders from the city:

• As a courtesy, free shuttle buses will provide transportation to the park for those that park in the following areas:
• Schreiner University: Parking lot for the Trailhead Beer Garden on Acorn Loop.
• Public Downtown Parking Garage: Clay Street entrance.
• Park Lane: Stop adjacent to field behind H-E-B.

Glass, outside alcoholic beverages, pop-up canopies, and dogs/pets are prohibited in the concert area. Smoking (including vaping and e-cigarettes) is prohibited in all city parks. Motorized vehicles including golf carts and skateboards are also prohibited on the Kerrville River Trail. Please adhere to rules and comply with event staff. Pursuant to City ordinance Sec. 74-2, the city shall have and shall exercise the power to control all activities and hours of access by the public into all city parks and recreation areas in order to protect and maintain the public health, safety and welfare.

For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (830) 257- 7300; on Facebook at City of Kerrville Parks and Recreation Department; or Instagram at cityofkerrville.

Another Kerr County Animal Services crisis

A rapid increase in the surrender of large dogs at the Kerr County Animal Services shelter is forcing Kerrville Pets Alive to rent kennel space from the VA Dogs of Texas — a nonprofit that works to provide service dogs to veterans.

In a press release, Kerrville Pets Alive President Karen Guerriero said the organization would continue to rent the kennels until the dogs can be sent to other shelters or adopted.

"There are some wonderful, kind dogs at animal control and we want them to at least have the chance of finding a forever home," Guerriero said. "Large dogs are hard to adopt out due to their size and other area shelters rarely take them for that reason," Guerriero said. "KPA! wants

to help the misfit and hard to adopt animals that get overlooked by most adopters. We hope that renting this facility saves lives."

KPA will rent the Mountain Home-based kennels as long as needed. The VA Dogs of Texas facility is currently for sale.

Census release a mountain of data on health insurance, work and demographics

One day after Peterson Health President and CEO Cory Edmondson outlined some of the challenges facing health care, including a high uninsured rate in Texas, the U.S. Census Bureau said that the uninsured number fell slightly between 2019 and 2021. However, Texas still ranks last when it comes to health insurance coverage.

More than 18% of Texans have no health insurance.

"Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia expanded Medicaid eligibility on or before January 1, 2021 ("expansion states"), and 14 states did not ("non-expansion states")," the Census said. "In 2021, the uninsured rate was 6.6% in expansion states and 12.7% in non-expansion states. Five states with uninsured rates of 12% or more (Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming) had not expanded Medicaid eligibility."

On Thursday, the Census released a ton of new data about the changing demographics in the United States, including the number of Hispanics who now call Texas and the Southwest home. The data release coincides with National Hispanic Heritage month.

• The Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2021, making people of Hispanic origin the nation's largest racial or ethnic minority — 18.9% of the total population.
• Over half of Hispanics in the U.S. live in California, Texas, or Florida.
• In 2020, the Hispanic population made up the largest racial or ethnic group in New Mexico (47.7%) and California (39.4%).

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic also showed up in the data.

• In 2019, about 6% of workers living in metropolitan areas (metros) worked from home, compared to 5% living outside of metros (including micropolitan areas). In 2021, the percentage working from home in metro areas jumped to roughly 19%, compared with 9% of home-based workers outside of metros.

High School Football preview

• Tivy High School's football team is trying to stop its two-game losing streak, but that's a task on the road — starting tonight at Marble Falls. The Antlers haven't made things easy for themselves in their first three games, racking up penalties at an alarming rate. Now comes a 2-1 Marble Falls team that displays offensive firepower but also got blasted in a 55-16 loss to Brownwood. Game time is 7 p.m.
• Ingram tries to improve its record to 3-1 when it plays host tonight to San Angelo Texas Leadership Charter Academy. The Warriors crushed Harper last week, 42-14. San Angelo TLCA is also 2-1, and their only loss was a 7-6 defeat against Odessa Compass Academy. Game time is 7 p.m.
• Center Point tries to even its record at 2-2 after earning its first win of the season last week in a 64-44 triumph over New Braunfels Christian. Center Point travels to winless Harper for a 7 p.m. game.

Upcoming Featured Events

The Kerrville Chalk Festival, Oct. 15-16, Kerrville City Hall.

Kerrville Chalk Festival is a family-friendly art event for the Texas Hill Country. More than 65 artists create large-scale chalk drawings directly on the pavement. Kerrville’s downtown becomes a festive canvas for local and regional artists, as wells as invited guest artists from around the United States.

The Festival has live music, many free activities, food trucks, as well as wine and craft beer. It attracts an estimated 10,000 attendees annually. Read about the history of chalk art.

Held at Peterson Plaza in the heart of downtown, the event encourages tourists and locals to dine, shop, and experience the beauty and charm of Kerrville, Texas.

The 2022 beneficiary is Kerrville Arts and Cultural Center (KACC). KACC was founded in 1995 by a group of artists with a mission of providing a show place for local artists and to further the arts and culture in the community. The Center is comprised of sixteen affiliated groups representing over 500 artists and has three distinct gallery spaces. It attracts over 20,000 visitors annually.

Mark your calendar for Public Power Week Oct. 2-8, and the Bucket Truck Rides.

The Kerrville Public Utility Board (KPUB) is hosting a family-friendly event to meet our heroes in hardhats while we celebrate Public Power Week!

Please mark your calendars for Saturday, October 8, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., to join us in Louise Hays Park for a free community event!

This will be a free community event with family-friendly activities that will include taking a ride in one of KPUB’s bucket trucks, arc & spark demos, line worker tool displays, photo ops with our linemen, face painting and more.

KPUB will be providing free hot dogs, chips and refreshments on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as a free t-shirt for the first 100 attendees. For more information: https://www.kpub.com/community/public-power-week/

Today's events

Performing Arts

• Leading Ladies — The Cailloux Theater, 7:30 p.m. The details: https://www.playhouse2000.com Two down-at-the-heels Shakespearean actors try to take advantage of a rich Pennsylvania widow who is looking to leave her fortune to missing relatives. They plan to impersonate the lost nephews "Max" and "Steve," and are surprised when the pair turn out to actually be nieces "Maxine" and "Stephanie." Undeterred, the pair continue the ruse by assuming female form. Their ploy becomes even more complicated when love enters the picture, and the laughs just keep on coming.

Live music

• Aaron Lacombe — Arcadia Live, 7 p.m. Information: https://www.thearcadialive.org The details: Enjoy a magical evening of music, drinks and sunset along The Guadalupe River on the back deck at Arcadia Live.
• The Flashbacks — Joanne Marie and Me Wine Boutique, Ingram, 6 p.m. Information: https://www.facebook.com/wineboutique1
• Dave Kemp — Cafe at the Ridge, 6 p.m. Information: https://www.shopsattheridge.com
• Matty Lee — Pint and Plow Brewing Co., 6 p.m. Information: https://www.pintandplow.com The details: Matty Lee plays reggae music inspired by blues and jazz.
• Bob Stewart — The Pub at Inn of the Hills, 7 p.m. Information: Fcampbell@innofthehills.com
• Mish Mash Band — Pier 27 River Lounge and Pizzeria, 8 p.m. Information: 830-896-7437
• Modal Mojo — Southern Sky Music Cafe, 6 p.m. Information: southernskymusiccafe.com

Festivals

• Tex Fest — Schreiner University, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Information: The details: Live music every day. Bring a chair and enjoy this uniquely Texan event. The Trailhead Beer Garden (featuring a great variety of beers, wines, and other non-alcoholic drinks) will be open, and food trucks are available throughout the day. The featured events are: 8 a.m. to noon, Texas Heritage Days; 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., WWII Demos (Texas Armed Forces Museum); 12:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., live music from the staff and students of Schreiner University; Noon to 10 p.m., food trucks and vendors; 6 p.m., The Flyin A's, 7 p.m., Dead Texans Tours, 7:30 p.m., Josh Grider, 9 p.m., Bruce Robison. Saturday's lineup: Starting at 8 a.m., IBCA and HS BBQ Competition; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., live music from the staff and students of Schreiner University; Noon to 10 p.m., food trucks and vendors; 3 p.m., Terri Hendrix with Lloyd Maines

High school football

• Tivy at Marble Falls, 7 p.m.
• Center Point at Harper, 7 p.m.
• San Angelo TLCA at Ingram Tom Moore, 7 p.m.
• Our Lady of the Hills at Waco MCH, 7 p.m.

High school volleyball

• Utopia at Center Point, 5 p.m.

Markets and sales

• Kerrville Farmer's Market — Butt Holdsworth Memorial Library, 4 p.m. Information: https://www.kerrvillefarmersmarket.com The details: There are some key changes to the market, with new management, and some additions and subtractions to the lineup. There's a wide variety of locally sourced produce, meat, eggs, bread, cheese, beer, wine and a selection of prepared food, all sourced within the Texas Hill Country.

Dance

• Learn to Belly Dance — Kerr Arts and Cultural Center, 6 p.m. Information: The Cheeky Peacocks Dance Company The details: Bring a yoga mat, a bottle of water and a friend! The class is $10.

Science and Nature

• 1-on-1 with a naturalist — Riverside Nature Center, 10 a.m. Information: https://www.riversidenaturecenter.org The details: Naturalist, author, and columnist Jim Stanley and Texas Master Naturalist and native plant enthusiast John Hucksteadt will be available to meet one-on-one to answer questions, and discuss various topics, or listen to ideas about nature.

Saturday, Sept. 17

Live music

• Modal Mojo — Cafe at the Ridge, 6 p.m. Information: https://www.shopsattheridge.com
• The Derringer Band — Pier 27 River Lounge and Pizzeria, 8 p.m. Information: 830-896-7437
• Boone Holding — Southern Sky Music Cafe, 6 p.m. Information: southernskymusiccafe.com
• Logan Crosby and Karaoke with Lori — Joanne Marie and Me Wine Boutique, Ingram, 6 p.m. Information: https://www.facebook.com/wineboutique1

Science and nature

• Bird and walk talk — Flat Rock Park, 8 a.m. Information: rnc.kerrville@gmail.com The details: Join Paul and Deloris Sellin on a stroll along the River Trail for a wonderful morning identifying and admiring birds in the Hill Country area. All ages and levels of experience are welcome.

Festivals

• Tex Fest — Schreiner University, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Information: The details: Live music every day. Bring a chair and enjoy this uniquely Texan event. The Trailhead Beer Garden (featuring a great variety of beers, wines, and other non-alcoholic drinks) will be open, and food trucks are available throughout the day. The featured events are: Starting at 8 a.m., IBCA and HS BBQ Competition; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., live music from the staff and students of Schreiner University; Noon to 10 p.m., food trucks and vendors; 3 p.m., Terri Hendrix with Lloyd Maines.
• Kerrville River Festival — Louise Hays Park, Noon. Information: https://kerrvilleriverfestival.org/activities-schedule/ The details: The big river festival starts with a Kids Zone and exhibitors at noon. The rest of Saturday's schedule: 12:20 p.m., Texas Music Heritage Foundation Community Showcase; 1 p.m., The Performing Arts School of Classical Ballet Community Showcase; 1:40 p.m., Big Seed performances; 2:20 p.m., Tivy High School band showcase; 3 p.m., Cirque Akrobat Thrill Show; 3:30 p.m., Walt Wilkins; 4:45 p.m., Shake Russell; 6 p.m., Michael Salgado; 7:30 p.m., Cirque Akrobat Thrill Show; 8:15 p.m. Kyle Park; 9:45, fireworks.
• Don't Try This At Home Festival — Lazy Days Cantina at Roddy Tree Ranch, 2 p.m. Information: https://www.lazydaysandstarrynights.com The details: Check out bands, including headliner Saliva, and opening acts Nautical Nation, Mortar, White Rabbit and Eden Burning.

Equine sports

• Bandera Shooting Sports — Gravity Check Saloon and Arena, 10 a.m. Information: https://www.gravitychecksaloonandarena.com The details: Come on out for a great day of fun and excitement as you are entertained by the Bandera Shooters, members of the Cowboy Mounted Shooters of America.

Performing Arts

• Leading Ladies — The Cailloux Theater, 7:30 p.m. The details: https://www.playhouse2000.com Two down-at-the-heels Shakespearean actors try to take advantage of a rich Pennsylvania widow who is looking to leave her fortune to missing relatives. They plan to impersonate the lost nephews "Max" and "Steve," and are surprised when the pair turn out to actually be nieces "Maxine" and "Stephanie." Undeterred, the pair continue the ruse by assuming female form. Their ploy becomes even more complicated when love enters the picture, and the laughs just keep on coming.

Markets and sales

• Heart of the Hills Farmers Market — River Hills Mall parking lot, 8 a.m. Information: 830-370-7476