why is it called
the green street monster fest?

The name “Green Street Monster Fest” playfully honors the infamous Green Street railroad underpass in downtown Longview—nicknamed the “Green Street Monster” after countless trucks, buses, box trucks, cement mixers and other tall vehicles have slammed into its low ceiling over the years.

 

Originally built in 1935, the bridge posed recurring problems, so in 2014 the city lowered the roadway by about a foot—bringing the clearance up to approximately 11′ 2″ on one side and 11′ 4″ on the other—but significant modifications weren’t possible without risking the railroad's foundation.

 

Despite warning lights, hanging PVC guides, and posted height restrictions, the bridge continues to draw headline-making “trucker vs. bridge” moments—cementing its reputation as a quirky Longview landmark. The festival embraces this local legend by staging the celebration right next to the very structure that inspired its name.

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It's so famous, it has its own Facebook page with more than 4,000 followers!