County constables hold live music festival to help students

When Constable Jeremiah Gunter isn't out busting illegal game rooms or smoke shops violating laws, he's been brainstorming a way to encourage more local kids to get a career in law enforcement.

His ideas have led to a way to raise scholarship money, showcase area musicians, and create a community gathering all at once.

This coming Saturday, August 3, the inaugural Orange County Music Festival will be held at the Mauriceville Community Center pavilion. Entry is $10 and people are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and enjoy hours of live music. Food trucks and a beer concession will be available.

Constables from all four of the Orange County precincts area participating. Gunter said money raised will go to a graduating senior from each of the county's five public high schools.

"It's our way to give back to the community," Gunter said.

He's the Precinct 2 constable which mainly covers the Mauriceville area. Other constables participating are Lannie Claybar for Precinct 1, Brad Frye for Precinct 3, and Matt Ortego for Precinct 4.

Gunter said he thought about helping student go into a law enforcement career, but his precinct has only the Mauriceville Elementary and Middle schools. He didn't want to give a scholarship to students that young.

The Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School is in Precinct 1 and the scholarship he was thinking about should be given to a high school senior, he said.

So he got the other constables onboard to think of a way to encourage teens to seek law enforcement careers. They came up with the music festival idea to raise money for scholarships to be given to graduates in the 2024-25 school year.

He said the constables organized the fundraiser through the non-profit Mauriceville Heritage Association and donations are tax-exempt.

Admission is $10 and the gates will open at 11 a.m. Saturday. Music will begin at noon and continue through the day.

Southeast Texas and neighboring Southwest Louisiana during the past century has produced a number of musical stars from all genres. Gunter said he likes to go to area festivals and bars to listen to the local talent and he has gathered popular local performers.

The at noon, Paige Price will begin and be onstage for about an hour and a half. After that will come Jace Nunnely, Seth Stevens, and Chris Hantz, with Royboy Collins and Killin' Time to finish at night with about two hours of playing.

People are welcome to come and go through the day. Food trucks will include Chuck's Chuck Wagon, Wing Junkiez, and the Bridge City Lions Club with funnel cakes. Gunter said there will also be a vendor specializing in beef jerky and another selling fruit cups. The War Wagon from Buna will be selling cigars and a beer booth will be set up.

He said the plans for the scholarships are flexible. Because a graduating senior is too young to enter the regional police academy, the scholarship may be applied to helping the graduate get certified in working in a corrections facility, a stepping stone to becoming a certified peace office. Or the money could be used to help get into a two-year program to become a peace officer. Another way it could be used is for a student to apply it toward getting a four-year degree in criminal justice.