Moo-La Fest returns to Stephenville

By: Sierra Wells

Managing Editor

Bringing the community together for food, fun and entertainment, Stephenville held its annual Moo-La Fest on June 3-4 in the City Park. 

“Moo-La Fest is important to the Stephenville community and surrounding areas because it highlights our community’s rich dairy heritage. June is National Dairy Month, and with the multitudes of dairies in our area, we celebrate their contributions to our local economy,” Tourism & Visitors Bureau Manager Michaela Bierman said. “Plus, Moo-La turns 50 this September, which makes celebrating the dairy families even more special.” 

For the past few years, Moo-La Fest has served the Stephenville community socially and economically.

“With people coming to Stephenville for Moo-La Fest, local businesses see increased traffic throughout the city, hotels and other businesses which boosts the local economy,” Bierman said.

According to Bierman, this year’s festival hosted more than 30 booths and vendors. 

“These vendors and booths provided opportunities for people to interact, learn more about the dairy and agriculture industries, eat great food and take home handmade merchandise,” Bierman said.

Shelah Jaime set up a booth for her business, The Pampered Hen, to further reach out to members of the Stephenville community.

“We make all kinds of bath and beauty products. We are originally from Comanche, Texas. We just recently moved over here to Stephenville, and we came to the Moo-La Festival last year and loved it,” Jaime said.

The Traveling Succulent Shop owner Emily Heinrichs was another local resident who brought her small business to the festival. This was her first year at Moo-La Fest, and she was able to sell a variety of her succulents.

“This has been something that has become a hobby of mine, where I’m able to mess with plants and use my artistic abilities to create arrangements,” Heinrichs said.

Several members of Tarleton State University chose to get involved with Moo-la Fest this year. Students with the College of Agriculture had a booth to recruit members, promote the university and share information about agriculture.

Along with the local vendors and booths, Moo-La Fest hosted Carnival Americana. This carnival featured rides and games such as the Super Slide, Zero Gravity, Water Gun Fun, Monkey Maze, Ferris wheel and more.

“We set record numbers for Moo-La Fest this year. The Stephenville City Park was filled with people all three nights of Moo-La Fest,” Bierman said.

Scott Kirby performed at Concert in the Park at the end of each day. Along with Kirby, performers included Old Crow Medicine Show, Gary P. Nunn and Rodney Crowell.

Though this festival only happens once a year, the Moo-La Fest is able to leave a lasting impression on members of the Stephenville community.

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