Full calendar of Mineral Wells Main Street events start March 16, Free Kids Day also set in April
Mar. 12—MINERAL WELLS — Contacts continue with potential downtown Mineral Wells retailers, the Main Street Program board learned during a meeting that unveiled a full spring and summer schedule of events.
"There's a lot happening here, more than folks realize," Main Street Program Manager Brittany Brown said during a Wednesday update.
The session began with a recap of the Feb. 24 chili cookoff that sold 2,275 tickets to sample spicy concoctions by 21 teams. "Our goal was 15 (entrants). I was going to be happy with 10 or 12. ... We couldn't fit another team."
New board member Carol Elder said the event in Poston's Square highlighted the outdoor downtown venue.
"That night looked fantastic downtown," she said.
Cook-off awards at the conclusion of the event were as follows:
— 1st Overall- Nita Beer
— 2nd Overall- Sawdust & Willow Construction
— 3rd Overall- Paw-Paw's BBQ
— Showmanship Award- Poppy/The Flower Shop at 76067
— People's Choice- Goodness GRAY-cious
Brown also ran through a list of events that start with a March 16 St. Patrick's Day pub crawl. A downtown sidewalk sale follows the following Saturday, March 23.
Free Kids' Day Downtown will include "quite a few" bounce houses, she said, along with photo shoots.
"We hear constantly, 'Oh, there's nothing for kids to do,'" Brown said. "This will be an opportunity for kids to have a fine time downtown."
A cornhole tournament is set on April 6, which also is opening day for the Let's Grow Crazy Farmer's Market.
Ten more events stretch into the summer, with the new Flying Pig Festival slated for June 14-15.
Board member Cody Jordan reported progress on securing a Texas Music Friendly designation. Jordan sits on a newly formed board that's also working on music for the Flying Pig event.'"We're trying to get, not a big name (opening night), but a medium name that will entice people to be here on the 15th."
Brown added a resolution supporting the musical designation is set to go before the city council on March 19.
Jordan also that designation, plus formation of a Cultural Arts District, will attract grants in support of Main Street goals.
"Just like we did with the Wellness Capital (of Texas legislative designation), we're going to do the same thing with that."
She and Brown also described new outlets being courted, including a Western wear store. Brown said she's spoken with a woman who wants to open an art gallery downtown.
Jordan announced another contact is wooing the chef from a Midland country club that's closing its doors could bring another taste option downtown.
"He's wanting to relocate him here," she said. "He just wants to help the community, because he just moved here. and they love it."
Jordan said the Seaman Building, where Hill Country Coffee Co. and City Meats & Market are setting up shops, is being considered by a boutique with a small bar and jewelry case.
A vintage clothing store is eyeing the shell building across the alley from Poston's Square, she said, as are a bookstore and an outdoor sportsman's shop that will book hunting and fishing trips.
"That's a way to really showcase our marvelous terrain," Jordan said of the potential boost to the Wellness Capital menu.
Jordan concluded by saying unmet needs in the building include taco/Mexican food and Asian food options and a candle/bath shop.
She also said plans are in discussion to place three pickleball courts with restrooms downtown.
