MR Fest Brings the Community Together for the 10th Time

By Holly Henrichsen
Assistant Web Content Manager

This year is MR Fest’s 10th anniversary and KTSW is celebrating this milestone with more venues, bands and activities than ever before. The annual music festival is put together by us students, so this upcoming milestone has made me reflect on how much this two-day music festival has done for myself and the community.

I started working for KTSW is August 2014 and quickly found my home away from home. When the 8th annual MR Fest came around that following April, I wanted to do what I could to help out, so I signed up to be a volunteer. I woke up bright and early that Saturday morning in late April and spent all day running around making sure that the other volunteers and the bands had everything that they needed. I got home that night exhausted, sunburned from head to toe and feeling so happy to be a part of a radio station that works so hard to provide the San Marcos community with great entertainment.

While MR Fest kicks off on Friday night, KTSW starts the second day bright and early on the Courthouse Lawn. This is my favorite way to start the jam-packed day. Local businesses and MR Fest sponsors come out and set up tents so you can check out their stuff and get to know them. Orchestra students from San Marcos Independent School District also come out and play. 

MR Fest is spread out all over downtown San Marcos, making all of the venues easily accessible. This year, KTSW will have 10 different venues all the way from the Hitch to Superfly’s to the Marc. My favorite thing to do is to go from one venue to the next with completely different types of music. I love the feeling of going from the smooth sounds playing at the Hitch to rap at Valentino’s. It feels like you’re stepping into a new world, free to step out and into another whenever you please.

My favorite thing about MR Fest is that it’s free. There’s no wristbands or tickets or anything else that you need to spend upwards of $100 on. You’re free to jump from venue to venue with nothing in your way. If you’re not feeling the vibe at one of the venues, there will be nine others for you to check out.

Come celebrate MR Fest’s 10th anniversary in downtown San Marcos on April 28 and 29. You’ll see some great bands and have an amazing time. Be sure to stop by the KTSW tent on the courthouse lawn. We’d love to meet you.