Where music meets Main Street: Hamilton hosts first ever Santa Teresa Festival

BY HELENA KNUTSON

Podcast Host

Music lovers gathered this March for the first-ever music festival in Hamilton. The Santa Teresa Music Fest marks a new chapter in the community’s growth.

The festival features artists such as Shane Smith and the Saints, The Great Divide, Red Shahan, The Droptones and home-grown celebrity Presley Haile. The festival also featured a VIP performance by Josh Weathers.

The music festival was held in Hamilton, Texas, at Santa Teresa Ranch. The ranch was originally known as Bywater Hereford Ranch in the 1930s. In 1950, the ranch was repurchased, and then again in 2003.

The owner, Casey Fields, bought the land a few years back and heard that this historic ranch had tried to host a music festival in the past, but the idea never became a reality — until now.

“We had heard, I guess it was in the 90s, they tried to do some music fest out here. I believe Hamilton and Hico are up-and-coming, and we thought it would be cool for the community,”  Fields said.

With this being the festival's first year, the Santa Teresa team set realistic expectations for attendance; however, the community's support exceeded expectations and helped drive strong attendance.

This music festival would be another venture added to the ranch’s resume. Along with a music venue, Santa Teresa was also a pub and steakhouse, and is even rumored to have a hidden speakeasy somewhere on the land.

Along with the music, there were vendors for attendees to shop at, such as American Hat Company, Will Leather Goods, Van Garden and more.

One of these businesses is Uncle Bekah’s Inappropriate Trucker Hats, a small business that sells “comedic dirty” hats, based out of McKinney, Texas.

The owner, Bekah Hardick, heard about Santa Terresa from some of the other vendors they have worked in the past at other music festivals. Working with Santa Teresa, Hardick has noticed the community's and workers' support.

“I like working with festivals that want the vendors to do well, and they support me as much as I am trying to support them,” Hardick said.

Hardick knew little about Hamilton before the music festival, but after seeing the town, she said she has come to respect the charm it offers.

“I drove through it and heard about it, but no, I didn't know much about it. I literally just passed through, but I always thought it was super cute,” Hardick said.

Hardick and so many others have come to learn more about the small town through this festival.

The Santa Teresa Music Festival has brought significant attention to the small town of Hamilton, Texas, through live entertainment, shopping and community engagement.