Discover the Hidden History and Festivals of Winnie, Texas

Winnie, Texas is a small town with a big heart, located in Chambers County in Southeast Texas. The town was founded in 1881 when the Gulf and Interstate Railway built a line through the area. The town was named after Fox Winnie, a contractor for the railroad.

In the early days, Winnie grew thanks to farming and ranching. Over time, it became a strong community known for its friendly people and hardworking spirit. Even though it’s small, Winnie has made a name for itself in the region.

Famous People from Winnie, Texas

Even though it’s a small town, Winnie has had a few folks worth mentioning:

Mark Chesnutt – Country music star (born in Beaumont but has strong ties to Winnie)

Case Keenum – NFL quarterback (born in Brownwood, Texas, but raised nearby and known in the area)

Winnie’s close-knit community means many local heroes are remembered more for what they’ve done around town than for national fame.

Festivals in Winnie, Texas

Winnie is home to some fun and family-friendly festivals that bring people in from all around:

• Texas Rice Festival – Held every October, this is Winnie’s biggest event. It celebrates the area’s rice farming history with parades, live music, food, arts and crafts, and even a carnival.
• Winnie Trade Days – Happening the weekend after the first Monday of every month, it’s like a huge flea market with antiques, food, crafts, and more.
• Winnie-Stowell Shrimp Festival – A smaller event in some years celebrating seafood and Gulf Coast culture.

Industries in Winnie, Texas

The main industries that keep Winnie running include:

• Agriculture – Especially rice farming, cattle, and hay.
• Oil and Gas – Located near oil fields and refineries.
• Retail and Small Businesses – Locally-owned stores, restaurants, and services.
• Tourism – Thanks to festivals, Trade Days, and travelers passing through on Interstate 10.
• Fishing and Seafood – Close to the Gulf of Mexico, fishing plays a part in the economy too.

So whether you’re two-steppin’ at the Texas Rice Festival, hunting down treasures at Trade Days, or just filling up your tank on the way to Houston or Louisiana, Winnie’s got a little something for everybody. It may be small, but it’s got more flavor than a pot of crawfish at a family reunion. Just remember, if you blink while driving down I-10, you might miss it… but if you stop, you might never want to leave (especially if there’s funnel cake involved).