MARFA, Texas — The small town of Marfa, Texas is made up of nearly 2,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But during the days of the Marfa Lights Festival, the city's Chamber of Commerce expects its population to almost double with visitors from around the world.
This year marks the 37th Annual Marfa Lights Festival. A day that proves the M in Marfa, stands for more than just the mysterious Marfa lights.
"It's very important for us because generally we're art-oriented," said Joe Williams, the president of the Marfa Chamber of Commerce. "This time, we're people-oriented, we're community-oriented, we're family-oriented."
According to Hector Sanchez, the Events Coordinator for the Marfa Chamber of Commerce, the organization has been preparing for the festival since the beginning of the year. This go around, the Marfa Chamber of Commerce is aiming towards providing more kid-friendly entertainment such as jump houses and other games. Food and retail vendors will also be set up.
"One thing I'm really proud of this year is we're going to have really good sanitation facilities and to me that is critical for people's enjoyment of a festival," said Williams.
Williams shared most of Marfa's younger population moves out of town to attend college in other cities. The festival is a chance to reunite former and current Marfans, while welcoming newcomers that want to experience the small-town ambiance.
Once the sun starts to set during the three nights, the Marfa Lights Festival in downtown Marfa quiets down and attendees head to the Marfa Lights Viewing Area located 9 miles east of town on U.S. 90.
"You head out there on a clear night, if it's real cloudy, you'll have a hard time seeing them. But there's a red antenna light that believe it appears to the South...," said Sanchez. "They don't look like just regular lights. They seem like they come at you, and they get brighter. Then all of a sudden it's like they just disappear."
The Marfa Lights Festival will take place outside the Presidio County Courthouse in Marfa starting Friday night Aug. 30 through Sept. 1st.