Every year, the city pays tribute to the foundation of Taylor, the land
and the people.
The Blackland Prairie Day festival is Saturday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heritage Square, 400 N. Main St. Election Day and the Taylor Farmer’s Market are on the same day.
The festival gets its current name from the Blackland Prairie soil.
“Taylor has always been known where plants take roots,” said Main Street Manager Jan Harris. The festival will have a pet-a-tractor and pet-a-farm-animal section to incorporate farming heritage. An antique tractor show will be on Fifth St. between Main and Porter St.
In years passed, the festival had many names.
Spring Fest, Bloomin’ Festival, Zest Fest, Cotton Pickin’ Festival and Blackland Prairie Days are just a few, according to Harris. Taylor changed “days” to singular this year because the plural was misleading, Harris said.
A kids zone will include face-painting and an interactive question and answer session for how kids will make history, led by Williamson County. The county turns 175 years old this year.
Taylor used to be the largest town in East Williamson County.
“There’s always been a history of the biggest town in the (biggest) county holding the biggest fair,” said Miguel Verastique, Taylor native. “So in a sense, that’s what the Blackland Prairie Day is, and it’s what they’re trying to rekindle.”
The National Anthem will be performed by local musician Ryan Davenport.
“We booked Ryan Davenport as the person to sing the anthem to kick things off,” said Shannon Bagent, owner of the Black Sparrow.
Bagent organized a five-band lineup for the event, including bands that reach several genres.
“We made each performance a different cultural background,” she said.
The Czech Melody Masters represents German and Czech immigrants, Blackbird Sing is an Americana-Tex-Mex-Rock band. The Jerrells play country swing and western jazz, which sounds like, “country with a kick,” according to Harris. Ballet folklórico incorporates Mexican folk dancing, and Blue Vibe closes the night out with funk and blues.
There will also be food vendors and others with items such as jewelry, clothing, arts and crafts and more.
“
There’s always been a history of the biggest town in the (biggest) county holding the biggest fair. So in a sense, that’s what the Blackland Prairie Day is, and it’s what they’re trying to rekindle.”
- Miguel Verastique, Taylor native
