Grimes County vs. Parmer County
Renaissance & Feedlots
This match-up pairs a cultural crossroads near Houston with an agricultural titan on the High Plains. Grimes County is home to Navasota (the Blues Capital) and the Texas Renaissance Festival, the largest of its kind in the nation. Parmer County, on the Panhandle border, is a powerhouse of beef and dairy, feeding the world. One is defined by music and medieval fairs; the other by cattle and corn.
Grimes County (Population Approx. 30,000)
Grimes County is eclectic. Navasota honors its history as a blues music hub (home of Mance Lipscomb), while Plantersville hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually for the Texas Renaissance Festival. The county is transitioning from rural to exurban as Houston expands. The vibe is historic, artistic, and quirky. Challenges include managing rapid growth and preserving the rural character that attracts tourists.
Parmer County (Population Approx. 9,600)
Parmer County is the "Cheeseburger Capital of Texas." Friona and Farwell anchor a region that produces massive amounts of beef, cheese, and buns (wheat). It is one of the most productive agricultural counties in the nation. The community is hardworking, diverse, and proud of its role in the food supply chain. Challenges include labor shortages, water conservation, and infrastructure for heavy transport.
Why It Matters
Grimes County is a cultural playground for the state. Parmer County is the dinner table for the nation. Both counties rely on people-whether it's tourists spending money or workers processing food-to drive their economies.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the actor at the Ren Fest and the feedlot manager in Friona both contribute to our state's vibrancy.
In Grimes County, the clash between old and new is real. Open Primaries would allow the mix of long-time locals and new commuters to elect pragmatic leaders who can manage infrastructure growth without losing the county's soul. Ranked Choice Voting would help build consensus on development.
In Parmer County, the agricultural workforce is key. Ranked Choice Voting empowers the rural community to support candidates who prioritize immigration reform (vital for ag labor) and rural infrastructure, ensuring that the food supply chain remains strong.
Did You Know…
The Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission (Grimes) attracts over half a million visitors each fall, making it the largest in the U.S.
Friona (Parmer) is the "Cheeseburger Capital of Texas" because the county produces beef, cheese, and wheat (buns).
Navasota (Grimes) was designated the "Blues Capital of Texas" in honor of Mance Lipscomb.
Parmer County is one of the top beef-producing counties in the entire country.
Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site in Grimes County is a preserved 19th-century stagecoach stop.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Grimes residents love the rolling hills, the live music scene, and the unique spectacle of the Ren Fest. Parmer locals love the smell of success (agriculture), the Friday night football, and the friendly, small-town values.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Texas Renaissance Festival (Grimes): A massive themed event with costumes, jousting, and turkey legs.
Maize Days (Friona/Parmer): Celebrating the local corn and agricultural harvest.
Navasota Blues Fest (Grimes): Honoring the musical legacy of the region.
Parmer County Stock Show: Supporting the next generation of farmers.
People & Tech Created This
The profiles and shared challenges were gathered from Texas Forward Party supporters and written using ChatGPT and Gemini models to combine verified public data, official county/state sources, and general knowledge from Texas historical and government records:
