Buda Prepares for 12th Annual Weiner Dog Races
Ready to put a smile on your face? Check out the
12th Annual Weiner Dog Races in Buda this weekend. This event, which has been featured in national media, grows each year with more participants and onlookers. You'll find a free shuttle and parking near Cabela's to the fairgrounds where the dogs will race.
The four-legged fun starts
Saturday at 9AM when the dogs compete for the title of Best Dressed Weiner Dog. Races are held at 10AM and 2PM. On Sunday, races are held at 10AM with quarterfinals, semi-finals, and finals starting at 3:30PM.
Labels: April Festivals
posted by Paris and John @ 2:45 PM
Texas Reds Steak and Grape Festival
When: June 19 - 20, 2009
Where: Events take place in downtown Bryan, Texas.
Texas beef and beverages take center stage during this two-day festival, where you can sample a taste of the grape from local wineries and cheer on the teams trying to win top prize in a steak cook-off.
Music: Mariachis weaving their way through the festival grounds will provide a soundtrack for your stay in Bryan, while The Palace Theatre plays host an array of regional Tejano, rock and country performers. The evenings end with the toe-tapping tunes of tried and true Texas originals on the Main Stage. (The 2009 lineup includes Robert Earl Keen and Earl Thomas Conley.)
Children's Activities: An array of activities are waiting for young people ranging from toddlers to tweens at the Texas Reds Kid Zone, which will have storytelling, moonwalks, fishing, obstacle courses and live entertainment.
Shopping: From antiques to arts and crafts, visitors can browse for bargains among the festival's many booths. Tourists can also participate in a Treasure Hunt in several of the downtown stores.
For more information:• visit
www.texasredsfestival.com
Labels: April Festivals, Bryan-College Station, June Festivals
posted by Grace Sydney @ 12:11 PM
Wine and Roses Festival at The Messina Hof Winery
When: April 25, 2009
Where: The Messina Hof Winery and Resort at 4545 Old Reliance Road in Bryan, Texas.
In the words of British poet Ernest Dowson, "They are not long, the days of wine and roses..." Enjoy the fleeting season at a one-day, annual ode to the grape, held at The Messina Hof Winery and Resort.
A stroll through a farmers market ripe with local produce offers sustenance for the body while live music provides food for the soul at the event. The vivid colors of crimson apples and sunshine yellow lemons for sale will mirror the saturated shades found on the canvases displayed at the arts and crafts booths, where visitors can purchase souvenirs of their stay.
Tours of the Messina Hof Winery are available, and visitors can sample the fruit of the venue's labor at a wine tasting.
For the ultimate winery experience, let your inner Lucy Ricardo loose in the grape stomping competition. In teams of 2 - 4, contestants crush grapes underfoot in two-minute heats, with the winning team advancing into the next round until a team's full bottle of wine determines the winner.
For more information:• visit
www.messinahof.com
Labels: April Festivals, Bryan-College Station
posted by Grace Sydney @ 11:21 AM
Spring Plant Sale at The Cockrell Butterfly Center
When: April 4, 2009
Where: The Cockrell Butterfly Center in the Sundial Plaza at The Houston Museum of Natural Science.
This spring, watch your garden metamorphose into a haven for tiny winged wonders
with the addition of botanical beauties from the The Cockrell Butterfly Center's annual spring plant sale. From Asters to Zinnias, indulge your green thumb with pesticide-free host plants that caterpillars can nibble on before their transformation and nectar-producing plants to nourish the intriguing flying insects-- all sprouted from seedlings tended to from the cocoon of a greenhouse.
Budding gardeners buying the plants will not only help in restoring butterfly-friendly foliage to the city's landscape, they can also save a little green at the sale, with some plants available for purchase for only $3.
For more information:• visit
www.hmns.orgLabels: April Festivals, Houston
posted by Grace Sydney @ 12:24 PM
Migration Celebration Set for April 17-19 in Angleton
When: April 17 - 19, 2009
Where: San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge in Angleton, Texas
Since 1994 birds of a feather have flocked together to enjoy the aviary beauty of the Gulf's warm weather inhabitants.
After an evening fundraising program complete with silent auction and a catered dinner, the following fowl-themed weekend activities are free events for the entire family. For young chicks, there's the Children's Discovery Program at the San Bernard Headquarters Campus-- a hands-on introduction not only to birding, but also to the area's many reptilian residents, including baby alligators and snakes. At the Wolfweed Reservoir, little ones can bait a pole to lure an elusive crab at Crabbing For Kids, where naturists teach tykes about the tiny crustaceans.
From fledgling birders to experts, everyone will enjoy a marsh buggy tour. A one-hour or two-hour exploration of Wolfweed reservoir offers views of nesting herons and egrets as well as their land-bound neighbors, including feral hogs and raccoons. The Moccasin Pond can tour takes visitors by a bevy of birds, including moorhens, grebes and bitterns, and its quite possible that a curious bobcat might be spotted staring back at the binocular-carrying sightseers from his hiding place in the marsh.
For those who wish to walk, naturalists offer tours of the San Bernard Oak Trail, a 0.6-mile stroll which leads to the largest Living Oak in the state. A walking tour is also available along Bobcat Woods, where visitors can learn about the sky's tiny winged wonders-- dragonflies and butterflies.
Birders can also get an up close look at the hunters of the heaves during EarthQuest's Birds of Prey show. The predatory Peregrine Falcon,Harris Hawk, Barred Owl and more will showcase their skills during the demonstration.
For more information:• visit
www.migrationcelebration.orgLabels: April Festivals
posted by Grace Sydney @ 10:05 AM
Another Music Festival Set for April 17-19 in McAllen
When: April 17 - 18, 2009
Where: The entertainment district along 17th Street in McAllen, Texas
Don't let the modest moniker fool you-- the lineup of live performances at this McAllen music fest offers so much more than its name implies. Whether your musical tastes leans toward the infectious rhythm of Latin rock, the twang of a country crooner's guitar or the incessant beat of the latest indie band, there will be songs to please any palette during this two-day tribute to tunesmiths.
The largest city in Hidalgo County, McAllen is already home to the Music Afterhours Outdoor Concert Series and South of the City Limits concerts. The 2009 debut of Another Music Festival marks an expansion of artistic expression in the downtown area as over 80 acts take the mic on nine stages in the array of lounges and bars that form the 17th Street entertainment district.
For more information: • visit
www.mcallenmusic.comLabels: April Festivals, McAllen
posted by Grace Sydney @ 11:46 AM
Grapevine Plans 17th Annual New Vintage Wine & Gallery Trail
When: April 17-18, 2009Grapevine is making plans for its 17th Annual New Vintage Wine & Gallery Trail. Scheduled for April 17-18, 2009 and presented by Park Place Motorcars Bedford, the weekend festival includes:
- two entertaining Jazz Wine Trains
- the ceremonial Blessing of the Vines and New Release Wines
- an art show
- the Wine Trail, which incorporates an assortment of unique art galleries in Historic Downtown Grapevine and wine-related activities
New Vintage Jazz Wine Train The one-of-a-kind wine tasting experience will run on two evenings – April 17 and 18 – onboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, located at Grapevine’s historic Cotton Belt Depot at 705 South Main Street. The excursion features several Texas wines, foods and live jazz entertainment in each passenger car. The Jazz Wine Train departs both evenings at 6:40 p.m. and returns at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $55 per person.
Blessing of the Vines and New Vintage Wines On Saturday, April 18, start the day at Delaney Vineyards as hundreds of wine enthusiasts gather to take part in the Blessing of the Vines and New Vintage Wines, a centuries-old European ceremony to ensure robust vines and savory grapes. The ceremony begins with a colorful procession through the largest vineyard in North Texas, comprised of Grapevine dignitaries, the Knights of Columbus, Mariachis, and the general public. A complimentary wine tasting with live entertainment will follow.
New Vintage Wine Trail The New Vintage Wine Trail begins at 11 a.m. and will run through 5 p.m., offering a memorable journey to experience first-hand the many unique winery tasting rooms of Grapevine. Complimentary shuttle service is available to all of Grapevine’s winery tasting rooms. Each winery features live musical entertainment, food and the chance to meet the winemakers and proprietors who make it all happen. Passports, which include tastings at each winery, are $45 per person. Individual winery tickets are available the day of the event at the winery of your choice.
Art Show While strolling along the wine trail on Saturday afternoon, be sure to visit the Lancaster Gallery Art Show in the Palace Arts Center, located along the most charming street in Grapevine at 300 S. Main St. The art show, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature more than a dozen local artists .
Especially for Designated Drivers Designated drivers will be provided a wristband and will receive complimentary food and non-alcoholic beverages at each winery visited on April 18; in addition, those individuals will be entered into a drawing for a gift basket overflowing with fabulous gifts from Grapevine’s historic district merchants, valued at over $500.
For More Information:Photo courtesy Grapevine CVB
Labels: April Festivals, Festivals, Grapevine, Prairies and Lakes
posted by Paris and John @ 11:11 AM
Louisiana Swamp Thing and Crawfish Festival Comes to Austin in April
When: April 4, 2009
Where: Events take place at 18th and Congress in Austin.
Celebrating the splendor of our neighboring state, the Louisiana Swamp Thing and Crawfish Festival brings a bit of bayou to the capital city each year.
Music: A musical gumbo of live acts take the stage throughout the day.
Laissez le bon temps roulez as the sounds of Cajun and Zydeco accordions and rubboards echo in the atmosphere, sit back and enjoy the smooth sound of a jazz trumpet and the mellow melody of a blues tune, then foot your feet to the beat of a funk band. Belly dancers will add to touch of the exotic East, and a burlesque show is sure to spice up the soiree.
Food: The festival is an opportunity to sample staples of Cajun and creole cuisine. Aside form the 6,000 pounds of crawfish that will be served, be sure to make room for jambalaya, red beans and rice, cajun taters and shrimp creole. For those with brave tastebuds there's fried rattlesnake and frog legs, while corndogs and hamburgers will be on hand for those with a decidedly American appetite.
For more information:
• visit
www.roadwayevents.comLouisianaLabels: April Festivals, Austin
posted by Grace Sydney @ 2:37 PM
Springs Fest in San Marcos
Springs Fest
When: April 3 - 5, 2009
Where: Activities take place at Rio Vista Park and Rio Vista Falls in San Marcos.
Water seems to act as the life's blood for the Texas Hill Country town of San Marcos. From the glass bottom boats that take tourists on a ride at Aquarena Center to the flowing form of the San Marcos River, where residents mark the arrival of warmer weather each year on inner tubes, canoes and kayaks. Fast becoming an annual rite of spring, an array of paddling enthusiasts will gather on the first weekend of April for Springs Fest, a three-day salute to aquatic activities. Following are a few of the events scheduled:
• Classes are available for newbies looking to wade into the waters of canoe and kayak boating as well as for those proficient in paddling.
• If you've ever dreamed of exploring the winding rivers of other lands, sit in on canoe and kayak vacation destination presentations.
• Take the plunge and sign up for the kayak polo tournament or the slalom races.
• A sport originating in San Marcos, the Sladeo (a combination of slalom racing and rodeo) and the Freestyle Rodeo will take place at Rio Vista Falls.
• Land lubbers can cheer on the culinary competitors creating appetizers, main course dishes and desserts in the Canoe Club Cook Off.
For more information:
• visit
www.kayakinstruction.orgLabels: April Festivals, San Marcos
posted by Grace Sydney @ 12:03 PM
Four Winds Faire Starts Feb. 28
If you love all things Renaissance, mark your calendars for the Four Winds Faire, starting February 28 and running through April 19 (weekends only).
Now in its 15th year, the faire, held just south of Tyler, operates from 10am to 7pm every Saturday and Sunday through the period.
Admission: Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children 5 to 12 years.
For more information:Labels: April Festivals, March Festivals
posted by Paris and John @ 4:20 PM
Cowboy Culture Celebration in Dublin
Cowboy Culture Celebration
When: April 24th and 25th, 2009
Where: Most events take place at the Dublin City Arena and the Rafter J Roughstock Arena in Dublin, Texas.
This spring, corral the kids into the car and head to the tiny town of Dublin for two days of old-fashioned family fun.
On day one, let the aroma of vittles cooked over a camp fire direct you to a chuckwagon dinner after an afternoon spent perusing for purchases among the rows of vendor booths brimming with western-themed merchandise and learning about the bond between a steed and its and rider at a horsemanship clinic. As the sun goes down, it's time to kick up your heels as a variety of musical acts take the stage.
The clip clop of horses' hooves as riders strike out on a trail ride announces the start of a second day of events, many of which revolve around an equine theme, including a horseshoe competition, a show sanctioned by the Ranch Horse Association of America, a mounted cowboy shooting demonstration and a ranch rodeo.
For anyone who has ever wanted to learn how to do-si-do, there will be square dancing lessons and demonstrations, while the petticoats of professional hoofers will twirl on stage later in the day.
While the men discover who is the dominate domino player at a 42 tournament, wives can enjoy an all-girl get together at a ladies luncheon, followed by a fashion show at the Dublin Mercantile.
Tours: Eager to share its rich history with visitors, the town of Dublin is offering tours of several attractions, including the Dublin Rodeo Heritage museum, the Dublin Historical Museum and the Dublin Dr. Pepper plant. You can also step back in time to the days when Roy Rogers and Gene Autry ruled the silver screen at the old time movie theatre.
Children's Events: Held in the same arena where real cowboys wrestle steers and rope calves, little cowpokes can gallop in a stick horse race or take a pony ride during the Kid's Rodeo.
For more information:
• visit
www.cowboyculturecelebration.comLabels: April Festivals, Dublin
posted by Grace Sydney @ 11:16 AM
