Nacogdoches is gearing up to be the place to stay and play the second weekend in June. 

 

The Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce and the Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau are working to keep more people in Nacogdoches for more days around the established blueberry celebrations. The third Blueberry Bluegrass Concert in the Park presented by Rex Perry Autoplex on Friday, June 9, and the 28th Annual Texas Blueberry Festival presented by Tipton Ford-Lincoln on Saturday, June 10. 

 

"We have two big events that draw people, but we want visitors to plan to stay for days and enjoy a full menu of activities that only Nacogdoches can offer," said Joanna Temple, Director of Sales Nacogdoches CVB. "In addition to recreation, restaurants and scenic sites, we would like for our local businesses to be creative and offer new events, workshops, demonstrations and other activities that draw vacationers."

 

One local company doing just that is G Patterson Photographic Studio & Gallery. Owner Greg Patterson will offer a workshop that attracts visiting shutterbugs with a passion for seeing more of the Oldest Town in Texas. "On Friday before the bluegrass concert, participants will meet at the downtown studio for The Olde Town Photo Walk. We will have a brief introduction, then move into a walking tour and visit several of the sites nearby," Patterson said. "It will be a time of sharing our exciting history and capturing the moment."

 

The new offerings will be set in a "menu" list on the CVB's newly designed site at www.visitNacogdoches.org. A link to the information will also be available on www.TexasBlueberryFestival.com. Registrations for free-to-attend events as well as purchases for activities that have tickets for sale can be made online. According to Temple those that browse the list "will have the opportunity to book their hotel rooms for multiple night stays."

 

The online list is in creation and will continue to build, but Temple expects a response now for advanced promotions. "Folks are making their summer vacation plans now, and we need to get these fun choices in front of them now," she said. "We want music lovers, nature lovers, crafters, history buffs, foodies or people that want to relax and enjoy time with friends and family looking and planning a perfect time in Nacogdoches."

 

Anyone interested in posting a stay and play in Nacogdoches idea  for the blueberry weekend should contact Temple at 936-560-7351 or email joanna@visitnacogdoches.org.