Marfa Residents Grapple With What Proposed Festival Could Mean For Town

Some residents argue that such a large-scale event will disrupt community life, while others see economic benefits.

By Diana NguyenApril 12, 2019 9:30 amArts & Culture, Business & Your Money, Marfa Public Radio, Partner Organizations

Diana Nguyen / Marfa Public Radio

Some residents are concerned about the long term implications a festival like C3 Presents’ Format could have on Marfa.

This is the second story in Marfa Public Radio’s series “Tipping Point” which explores tourism-driven development in Marfa and the greater Big Bend region.

A couple of months ago, local officials announced Austin-based company C3 Presents was planning a festival for at least 5,000 people in Far West Texas.

Criticisms about the potential festival — which C3 Presents is calling “Format” – started to crop up on social media quickly after the announcement. Soon after, a group of Marfa residents began a grassroots organizing effort against the festival.

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