The Mineola Economic Development Commission gave a major boost last Wednesday to Rock the Pines, planned as the largest Christian music festival in Texas, next October at the Mineola Nature Preserve.

At a joint meeting of the Mineola City Council and MEDC, the council approved closing the preserve for a week to allow for set up of the event on Saturday, Oct. 3.

That was followed by a unanimous vote of the MEDC board to sponsor the event for $40,000.

Organizer John Henry of Winnsboro said he would begin contacting the proposed headline act and the other major name bands the following day.

Once they are locked in, which he expects within the next two weeks, the event can begin serious promotional efforts.

Henry said nailing down the headliner is a major first step toward the event, which he indicated could draw from 6,000 to as many as 20,000 people.

The MEDC sponsorship allows him to move ahead.

Henry outlined the event is partnering with Christian radio station KVNE in Tyler.

He said ticket sales generally ramp up right after the headliner is announced and then again in the final two months before the event.

He noted that there is no longer a major Christian music festival in Texas, since those events were canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic and were not revived.

Mineola City Manager Cindy Karch said that the city staff is on board with the event, and they will be working with Henry to line out the details.

She noted that Rock the Pines will be providing its own security and volunteer staff, to minimize the impact on city staff.