Marsh Master Roundup to Honor Anahuac Traditions

By Gloria Way

  Outrage is the most expressed sentiment among Chambers County residents and others when the Texas GATORFEST officially announced on April 29th that the 2026 Texas Gatorfest was being cancelled.

 Allegedly, a considerable amount of financial fraud was committed over the last couple of years involving the Texas GATORFEST organization and the Anahuac Area Chamber of Commerce who partnered with Texas GATORFEST in the planning and organizing of the event. Both entities raised funds for GATORFEST which allegedly led to comingling of funds and apparent misappropriation of funds by both organizations. A grand jury has been convened to determine the scope of the alleged fraud. Numerous people associated with the Anahuac Chamber and Texas GATORFEST have been interviewed and to date, no charges have been filed as according to the District Attorney’s office, “many more witnesses need to be interviewed, and more documents are being subpoenaed.” The leadership and boards of directors of both the Texas GATORFEST and the Anahuac Chamber have been disbanded because of the investigation.

  Chambers County residents, especially Anahuac residents, hoped that a group of community leaders would resurrect some form of GATORFEST.  Casey and Lindsay Hedges, owners of Porter’s Processing and Alligator Farm, have taken the role of founding an alternative festival that is completely independent of Texas GATORFEST and the Anahuac Chamber of Commerce.

  Hedges with a group of community members have founded the Marsh Master Roundup to “honor the traditions that helped make Anahuac known as the Alligator Capitol of Texas while creating a sustainable event that benefits the community, supports local organizations, and preserves those traditions for years to come”.

  Marsh Master Roundup released the information below on their Facebook page and website on July 1^st.

  “The wait is over. For more than 35 years, our community gathered around one of Southeast Texas’ most recognizable traditions. This year a new chapter begins.

Welcome to Marsh Master Roundup.

September 11 & 12, 2026

Fort Anahuac Park

Presented to you by Porter’s Processing & Alligator Farm

  Built by local business owners, volunteers, conservationists, hunters, fishermen, and community members who believed this tradition deserved a future. You’ll find everything that makes this weekend special, including:

• The Marsh Master Roundup • Live music • Redfish Tournament • Duck Calling Contest• Cook-off • Airboat rides • Vendors • Family activities • Food • And much more.

We aren’t here to recreate the past but to honor what made it special while building something this community can be proud to pass on for generations.

  Same marsh. Same season. New tradition.

  Visit our website to learn more and purchase tickets and more information to become a vendor, sponsor, volunteer, and/or cook.