By Logan McCullough

Buda City Park will be filled with Texas infused polka music and local craft beer as the Buda Beer and Polka Festival makes its way to town Oct. 22. 

Buda’s new festival showcases a variety of different genres which include Conjunto, Tex-Mex, Czech and Zydeco music.  

Several Buda residents, however, raised concerns during an earlier Buda City Council meeting regarding sound levels at City Park when the festival takes place. 

It stemmed from the promotion company’s request for an exemption to Buda city ordinance regarding amplified music and sound. 

Current Buda ordinance sets the maximum music level at 80 decibels (dB) during the day and 65 decibels at night. 

Leprechaun Productions, which is hosting the festival, asked for an exemption for 85 decibels, which was denied by the city council. 

But Buda Mayor Todd Ruge said he did not believe noise pollution will be an issue for those who live in the downtown sector. 

“In the past, as far as I know, I don’t think that there have been any ordinance violations. The festival organizers usually do a pretty good job of keeping the level down,” Ruge said. “They also said that this festival is not going to be an all-night affair.”

In addition to the music, there are a number of activities designed for people of all ages. These activities will have a “tailgating section” complete with a washers and Jenga tournament, corn-hole, a wiener dog costume contest and even carnival rides designed for children. 

“You could walk around all day and constantly see different things to see and do,” event promoter Patrick Costigan, who along with French Smith have previously hosted events such as the Swamp Thing and Crawfish Festival said.

Over 10 locally crafted beers will be available, as well as an international food court at the festival. 

According to city documents, festival organizers have been working with Buda Police and Fire departments regarding event security, safety and traffic.