Tomball German Heritage Festival
Tomball, Texas

When: late March [check for this year's dates]

Where: Events take place on the Old Downtown Streets of Tomball near the 200 block of Main and Market Street.

The community of Tomball, Texas is fondly referred to as the "Hometown with a Heart," and that heart palpitates to the beat of an oompah band each last weekend in March as the town's approximately 10,000 residents welcome an estimated throng of 15,000 visitors for three days of Deutschland-themed fun.

Music: Clink your drinks together and make a toast to Telgte, Germany (Tomball's sister city) as you sing along to "Ein Prosit," "Komm und Tanz" and other hits from the homeland performed by a bevy of bands on three stages which will also be occupied at various times by lederhosen and dirndl-wearing dance troupes.

Children's Events: Boys and girls can saddle up for a pony ride or make a four-footed friend at the petting zoo, and both the young and the young at heart will enjoy the carnival's attractions.

After the sun sinks into the horizon on the final night of the festival, a fireworks display will wow the crowd.

Shopping: Before saying "Tschuss!" to the town of Tomball, be sure to stop by the 120 vendor booths brimming with arts and crafts for a German-themed souvenir of your stay.

For more information:

• visit www.tomballsistercity.org and www.myspace.com/tomballghf

Photo courtesy Tomball German Heritage Festival