In an effort to spark economic growth on the Texas side of Toledo Bend Reservoir, Sabine County business owners will be holding the first Great East Texas Outdoor Festival this Saturday in Hemphill.

The event will showcase everything outdoors from hunting to fishing, bird watching, hiking, biking to relaxing. Plans are to use funds raised by hosting the festival to secure property, build boat rams, a pavilion, picnic areas and swimming area.

Organizers of Saturday’s festival say neighbors in Sabine Parish have been supportive of the economic development efforts in Texas, and coming together to host large fishing tournaments are in the plans.

he Great East Texas Outdoor Fest will open up at 9 Saturday morning at the Sabine County Youth Foundation Arena on Hwy. 184. Special guests are T-Roy Broussard and Big Foot from TV’s Swamp People. Gator County will be on hand with gators and snakes, there will be live music, vendors, a kiddie area, in addition to a chili cook-off, silent auction, beer garden, and silent auction.

The day will end as a 20-foot pontoon boat and trailer will be raffled off. That’s the Great East Texas Outdoor Fest this Saturday in Hemphill.

For more information, contact Dr. Karen Mills at 409-787-3388, or Pat Smith at 936-275-8223.