Since 1990, the Friends of Conroe have brought laughter and cheer to downtown Conroe by working to attract musical performances and festivals to the historic district.

Founded by more than 20 local business owners in 1990, the nonprofit has organized popular musical events, such as the Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival and the Sounds of Texas Music Series, as well as contributing to local charities and granting scholarships to more than 100 Conroe ISD students.

“Friends of Conroe started because we wanted to bring awareness to downtown Conroe,” said Stephanie Walls, Friends of Conroe office manager. “Our mission was to give back to the downtown area and revitalize it.”

The Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival—the nonprofit’s inaugural event—quickly became the organization’s largest fundraiser, and it now attracts as much as 30,000 attendees every year. Over the years, the festival grew from inhabiting a designated area around the courthouse to the majority of downtown Conroe, Friends of Conroe President Mark Jefferson said.

In 1999, Friends of Conroe also introduced the Sounds of Texas Music Series at Crighton Theatre, bringing hundreds of musicians and visitors to the historic theater. The series introduced the city to music from performers, such as Ricky Skaggs and Guy Clark.

However, Jefferson said the organization wants to become a larger positive presence in the community.

“The newer [Friends of Conroe] group has been looking for the last five or six years to turn around and do a whole lot more,” Jefferson said. “We wanted to be known for a little more than just the catfish festival.”

Although the group has supported the community for 28 years, Jefferson said he believes its contribution during Hurricane Harvey is one of defining moments as an organization.

Team members used social media and word-of-mouth to coordinate a massive donation drive, accepting clothing, canned goods, baby supplies and emergency supplies at the Conroe Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. facility.

“[Members] would make a post on our Facebook page asking for specific supplies, and the next day, we would be inundated with the supplies,” Jefferson said.

For two weeks, volunteers cooked and delivered 2,500 hot meals daily for first responders, evacuees in shelters and families who were unable to leave their homes because of high water, Walls said. After vacating the Conroe VFW, the organization accepted trucks of donations from surrounding cities and states at a warehouse on South Frazier Street until late October, Walls said.

“It wasn’t just our group [who rallied together],” Jefferson said. “I really think it was a community effort when it comes down to it.”

In the near future, Jefferson said the organization will be participating in Thanksgiving and Christmas events during the holiday season.

“For each and every person in the group, there’s a different [reason] for them doing what’s in their heart and wanting to give [back] in this organization,” Jefferson said. “We want to get the community excited about Friends of Conroe.”