June 29th, 2010
San Marcos prepares to celebrate the Fourth with SummerFest

STAFF REPORT

Pack up your blankets and lawn chairs, dress the kids in star spangled red, white, and blue, and make plans to attend San Marcos’ SummerFest celebration. This free Independence Day tradition is scheduled Sunday, July 4 from 5 to 11 p.m. on the banks of the San Marcos River at San Marcos Plaza Park.

This year’s musical line up includes David Ybarra and the L.A. Blues band will return to the stage this year along with SummerFest newcomers Adam Johnson and the Pay Me’s, and Devil’s Hollow.

At 5 p.m., the festival kicks off to a high energy start with Adam Johnson and the Pay Me’s. The band features San Marcos’ born-and-bred Adam Johnson and his band mates Morgan Patrick Thompson and Mark Henne of the Asylum Street Spankers. The Pay Me’s are a powerful blues-funk trio, highlighted by the searing guitar and soulful vocals of 18-year old Adam Johnson.

Following the performance, the annual Children’s Parade and Costume Contest begins at 6:15 p.m. with winners announced at 7 p.m. A Children’s Area will have arts and crafts and free fun activities from 5 to 8 p.m. Concessions with everything from fresh squeezed lemonade and funnel cakes to turkey legs, gorditas, and novelty items will be available for purchase all evening long.

Headliner David Ybarra and the LA Blues Band take the stage at 7:30 p.m. and perform until the spectacular fireworks show begins at 9:15 p.m. Always the crowd pleaser, San Marcos’ native son David Ybarra and his L.A. Blues Band can play it all – rock, blues, pop, jazz and even a little bit of country – with a sound as big as their eight piece band.

Immediately following the fireworks, Devil’s Hollow performs until 11 p.m. to close out the festival. Celebrating the recent release of their long-awaited debut album, local old-school Southern rock and Texas blues quintet Devil’s Hollow is fronted by lead guitarist and vocalist Justin Murray, and features Nick Doe and Matt Cain from San Marcos’ jam-funk staple Spank.

Free parking will be available at the San Marcos Activity Center and Public Library parking lots. The Lion’s Club’s tube rental at City Park will be open for business all day.

SummerFest is made possible by a partnership between the City of San Marcos, the San Marcos Noon Lions Club and a host of corporations, organizations and individuals. In addition to the Lions Club, major sponsors include HEB, San Marcos Convention and Visitor Bureau, Frost Bank, Heldenfels Enterprises, inc., Pecan Park Campground, Goodrich Aerostructures, Carson Properties, Prime Outlets-San Marcos, Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union, Sac-n-Pac, Tanger Outlet Center, Ted Breihan Electric Company and Wells Fargo Bank.

Lisa Morris, Recreation Manager of the San Marcos Parks and Recreation Division, and San Marcos Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Rebecca Ybarra-Ramirez are co-chairs of the event.

More information about SummerFest can be found at the event’s web site here.  Or call the San Marcos Park and Recreation Division at 512-393-8400.