What is MR Fest?

By Brent Ramirez
Blog Content Contributor

MR Fest (pronounced “mister fest”) stands for “My Radio Fest,” and is essentially the biggest event put together by we the people here at KTSW every year. It’s a huge festival we put together every year that takes place during the last weekend of April here in San Marcos, in the famous downtown area known as The Square. MR Fest started back in 2008 and was created to help give local and regional artists some recognition in the San Marcos area.

Here at KTSW, we’ve continued to put work into really expanding the scope and quality of MR Fest, turning the event into what it is today. Originally a one-day/one-venue event, MR Fest has since become to a two-day festival on and around the Square, with this year featuring 11 stages across 10 different venues in popular hotspots around town like Buzzmill, The Marc, Stonewall and Kiva. We’ll even have a family friendly area with vendors on the Courthouse Lawn, as well as some comedy performances at Vodka Street! From 200 attendees in 2008, to nearly 500 in 2016, MR Fest has continued to grow each year, with this year hopefully being no exception to the trend!

Last year’s MR Fest headliners featured La Luz and Night Beats from Seattle and Arizona, and this year our Saturday night headliner High Waisted comes straight from the “Big Apple” itself, New York, NY. Prior to them, Austin-based band, Otis the Destroyer, will be kicking off the festival on Friday night. Aside from our headliners, MR Fest will continue to follow the blueprint created in 2008, showcasing talent from all around the area. This year we have some local favorites like White Dog, The Two Lips, Foxmoor Express, Lantic and Rusty Dusty. What’s great about featuring local talent is that as the festival continues to grow and gain recognition with fans, it also gains recognition from new and upcoming local artists and entertainers.

So what’s better than some of the best live music, comedy and local vendors? How about the fact that MR Fest is no cash, no wristbands and therefore, no problem? Just come by and have some fun! On that note, KTSW has been raising some money for the event and will continue to accept donations during MR Fest, with all proceeds benefiting the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center. While you’re having the time at your life at MR Fest, you can have an even greater time knowing it’s all for a great cause! It’s a win-win!

For more information on MR Fest, visit facebook.com/ktsw899sMRFest/ or contact Hannah Bennett at KTSWPromotions@txstate.edu. We’re looking forward to making this year even bigger than the previous ones, but we’re going to need your help! So make sure you come out and support KTSW and this year’s cause at our 10th annual MR Fest!

Featured illustration by Joseph Bonney

A special thank you to our sponsors Buzzmill, Main Street, Texas Music Water, Colloquium, Roper and Mehler, University Bookstore and Brandt.