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WINNIE - By Justin Hinton, KFDM NewsVisitors stopped in Winnie for the start of the 44th Texas Rice Festival Wednesday night, celebrating the rice harvest and the significance it plays in Southeast Texas.Every $100,000 we spend generates 7:1, so that means $700,000 for the economic growth of the area, said rice farmer and committee member David Murrell.Hes been part of the rice industry ever since he was a little boy.He says in the past 30 years, hes noticed a decline in the number of farmers in the area.The community of Winnie probably used to have in the neighborhood of 70-75 farmers. Now there's eight, he said. My main concern is in 50 years, where's everybody going to get their stuff to eat.Its a concern that many people will put aside, focusing on the celebration of what the rice industry has done and what the festival means for the town of Winnie, boosting the economy in a different way.The performers stay in hotels around here for the most part and people coming in from out of town, said Chamber of Commerce board member Darla Barrow.The festival is put on by committee members and runs through Saturday.