Crowds turn out for Carrollton's TEXFest

Rain didn’t dampen the celebration Saturday, March 7, at Carrollton’s annual Texas Independence Day festival.

If anything, vendors said the weather helped. Festivalgoers packed under tents to stay dry during the 11th annual TEXFest, giving food trucks, brewers and craft vendors a steady stream of visitors throughout the afternoon.

The event featured a beer garden, food trucks, a live Texas longhorn and a mechanical bull, along with live music and craft beer from across North Texas.

Local breweries were well represented. Carrollton’s 3 Nations Brewing Co. poured alongside Bitters Sisters Brewing Co. of Addison and Farmers Branch breweries ODD Muse Brewing Co. and Bankhead Brewing Co., offering attendees a chance to sample a wide range of local craft beers.

Grupo Stampede, a six-piece band known for its urban-Tejano sound, headlined the festival and moved through a mix of musical styles during its set. Bailey Rae, a red-dirt singer-songwriter, and Brandon Rosage opened the afternoon of live performances.

_{Local News Matters.}