With music, art, food and family fun, the fifth annual Texas State Bison Music Festival invites the public to celebrate the state’s official bison herd in Quitaque on Sept. 19.

“Bison are so important to this region,” said Caprock Canyons State Park superintendent Donald Beard. “They are the keystone species of this ecosystem, and are vital to its conservation. We want to restore their habitat and return them to their native range at the park.”

All proceeds from the festival will fund restoration projects at Caprock Canyons State Park in the Texas Panhandle. The restoration focuses on turning 11,000 acres of the park back into rolling plains habitat suitable for the bison herd, which is the last remaining example of the great southern herd. Projects include invasive plant eradication, prairie grass restoration and cultivating prairie wildlife, such as prairie dogs and pronghorns.

The festival kicks off with an arts and crafts show at 10 a.m. The music begins at 3 p.m. and lasts until after dark. This year’s musical guests include Lee Roy Parnell, Gary P. Nunn, Mark Powell, Zac Wilkerson, Jamie Richards and Kevin Deal. Attendees should bring chairs or plan on purchasing one at the festival since there is no seating at the old fashioned street dance in downtown Quitaque.

General admission tickets are $25 in advance at the park or online through TicketRiver. On the day of the festival, tickets will be $30 at the gate. The festival will be held rain or shine.

During the festival, visitors can donate directly to the Texas State Bison Herd Restoration project or purchase merchandise to support prairie restoration efforts. Donations can also be made online by visiting www.caprockpartnersfoundation.com or by calling (806) 455-1441. Event sponsorships are still available by calling (806) 455-1492.

For more information, visit www.bisonfest.com or like the festival page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com