Onstage at the Cuero TX TurkeyFest A Celebration of Music History and Small Town Heart
There’s something deeply special about small-town festivals in America — the kind that carry a sense of history, laughter, and the sound of fiddles echoing through the air. And few capture that spirit quite like Cuero, Texas, home of the annual TurkeyFest, a tradition that’s been bringing people together since 1912. This year, on a warm October Sunday, the festival became more than a celebration of turkeys — it became a celebration of community, country heritage, and the kind of music that never goes out of style.
Gene Watson, one of the purest voices to ever grace country music, took the stage that day — and the crowd responded like family welcoming home one of their own. For over six decades, Gene’s voice has carried the honesty of real country — not the polished kind that chases trends, but the timeless kind that speaks to the soul. As the sun dipped low over Cuero’s Main Street, you could feel that magic in the air: laughter from food stalls, children waving flags, and the hum of anticipation as the band tuned up for another night of songs that still mean something.
It’s easy to see why Cuero’s TurkeyFest has endured for more than a century. What began as a simple “Turkey Trot” — with nearly 18,000 birds parading through town — has turned into a festival of pride and tradition. This year, alongside turkey races, parades, and family festivities, the concert series reminded everyone why live music matters. There’s something grounding about hearing Gene Watson sing “Farewell Party” or “Love in the Hot Afternoon” beneath an open Texas sky — songs that tell of life’s joys, heartaches, and quiet strength.
And then, in a moment that spoke to the festival’s enduring sense of community, Gene met Mr. Emil Garza, the Mayor of Cuero — a handshake between two men who share the same respect for heritage, hard work, and the people who make it all possible.
When Gene thanked the audience that night, his words were simple but heartfelt: “It’s good to know that folks still love our kind of country.” And the cheers that rose up in response said it all.
Because in places like Cuero, Texas, country music isn’t just entertainment — it’s identity. It’s tradition, family, and the sound of home. And on that Sunday at TurkeyFest, under the autumn sky, Gene Watson reminded everyone that some songs — and some values — never fade.