MARCH

  March 1-31 - Flatonia
PARADE OF QUILTS...  Shop owners display a profusion of heirloom and con-temporary quilts throughout downtown stores during the month of March. Flatonia is located at Exit 661 on I-10, between Houston & San Antonio. (361) 865-3920. www.flatoniachamber.com. Email: flatoniacofc@sbcglobal.com.

  March 5,12,19,26 and April 2,9,16,23,30 and May 7,14,21,28 - Brenham
WINE DOWN AT PLEASANT HILL WINERY... “Wine Down” on Fridays on the deck and watch the sunset. Enjoy wine by the glass or share a bottle with friends. Cheese boards available. 3pm-sunset. Every Friday in March, April and May. Pleasant Hill Winery, 1441 Salem Road. For more info, visit www.pleasanthillwinery.com.

  March 6 - Flatonia
SPRING MARKET DAYS... Join us downtown and enjoy a day full of fun! Market with arts & crafts, jewelry, exotic plants, hand-crafted one-of-a-kind items & more! Food & drinks. Fun for the kiddos. Music. “Czhilisipiel Practice” Chili Cook-off with prizes awarded to top three chili teams. Welcome the Texas Independence Relay & cheer them on as they come. (361) 865-3920. www.FlatoniaChamber.com.

  March 6 - Rockdale
4th ANNUAL TEJAS ART AND BOOK FESTIVAL & QUARTERLY MARKET DAY... Entertainment downtown with authors & book reviews in the City Library and Art in Wolf Park, activities at historic I&GN Depot all day, car show, arts/crafts in booths throughout town. Rockdale Chamber of Commerce: (512) 446-2030 or www.rockdalechamber.com for more details.

  March 6 - Round Top
6th INTERNATIONAL GUITAR FESTIVAL AT ROUND TOP… Performances include Minneapolis Guitar Quartet, Flavio Sala, and ProTango Duo. Festival Hill Concert Hall, Round Top, Hwy. 237 at Jaster Rd., Round Top. Call for admission/ reservations: (979) 249-3129, info@festivalhill.org or www.festivalhill.org.

  March 17 - Salado
15th ANNUAL DENVER MILLS GOLF TOURNAMENT TO BENEFIT TABLEROCK THEATRE... Mill Creek Golf Course, Salado TX. $75 entry fee. Shot-gun start at 1pm. Event coordinators: Denver Mills (254) 541-4830 and Chris Carpenter (512) 748-1223. Info: (254) 947-9205 or tablerock1@aol.com.

  March 27-28 - Washington
“TRUE TEXAS WOMEN”... Explore the lives of women who helped to settle Texas. Relive those hectic days as Texas evolved from a Mexican colony to an independent republic and ultimately the 28th state in the

APRIL

  April 10 - Brenham
HERITAGE HOME TOURS... Visit Brenham’s oldest house—the 1843 Giddings-Wilkin House, complete with many original furnishings. Stroll the verandah and rooms of the 1869 Giddings Stone Mansion. Both properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Admission $10. 1pm-4pm. www.GiddingStoneMansion.com. (979) 836-1690.

  April 10 - Canyon Lake
SPRING MARKET DAYS... Over 100 vendors with holiday gifts, arts, crafts, food and collectables. Free parking & admission. 10x10. $35 outdoor space. Limited $45 indoor space. Canyon Lake Recreation Center. Saturday, 9am-4pm. (830) 964-3003. www.crrcofcanyonlake.org. 

  April 10-11 - Brenham
PLEASANT HILL WINERY 13th ANNIVERSARY... Come celebrate with Pleasant Hill Winery. Wine tasting and anniversary cake. Pleasant Hill Winery, 1441 Salem Rd. in Brenham. Sat 11am-6pm & Sun noon-5pm. Free admission. (979) 830-VINE (8463), www.pleasanthillwinery.com or info@pleasanthillwinery.com.

  April 10-11 - Chappell Hill
OFFICIAL BLUEBONNET FESTIVAL OF TEXAS... Stroll through this historic town & enjoy over 300 juried vendor booths of home decor, gardening, jewelry, pet accessories, children’s items and more. Plus great food, entertainment, music and fun in the heart of bluebonnet country. Listed in Texas Highways Magazine as the #7 most popular event! (979) 836-6033. (800) 225-3695. www.chappellhillmusuem.org.

  April 22-25, April 29-May 2 and
May 6-9 - Brenham - UNITY THEATRE PRESENTS “CAMELOT”... A compact, scaled down version of the timeless show. Arthur is King of all England; Guinevere, his beautiful Queen; and Lancelot, a Knight of the Round Table. In an idyllic kingdom where might is used only for right, they are caught in a love triangle where passion threatens to destroy their dreams. Thursday

  April 23-24 - Cameron
CAMERON DEWBERRY FESTIVAL ...Cameron celebrates Spring with the Dew-berry Festival! Come enjoy a cobbler and cake contest, barbecue cook-off, food booths, arts/crafts show, youth fishing tournament and entertainment. It’s where the fun begins! www.cameron-tx.com (254) 697-4979.

  April 24 - Brenham
COUNTRY FLAVORS FESTIVAL... 10am-5pm. Family entertainment, crafts, con-tests, jewelry, kid’s activities, quality arts & crafts, Lil’ Mr. & Miss Scoop, live music, unique shopping in historic downtown. Enjoy an ice cream smorgasbord (all the ice cream you can eat—all day—just $6) and other local “flavors”—sausage, wines, etc. Free admission/parking. (979) 836-3339. 1-888-BRENHAM. www.downtownbrenham.com.

  April 25 - Round Top
BRENHAM CHILDREN’S CHORUS AT FESTIVAL HILL… Experience the pure sound of the Brenham Children’s Chorus during their Spring concert at the International Festival-Institute at Round Top. Performance at 4:00 pm. Highway 237 at Jaster Road in Round Top. For ticket information, visit www.brenhamchildrenschorus.org or call (979) 277-6540.

  April 30-May 1 - Salado
13th ANNUAL GOSPEL FESTIVAL... Be blessed Friday (6pm-9pm) & Saturday (9am-9pm) by the best Christian singers, bands, groups, trios, duets & soloists in Central Texas. Food, drink, gift & dessert booths. Adults $5/12 & under $3. Tickets at gate. (254) 634-4658 or email jimwoodul@aol.com.

  April 30-May 1 - San Marcos
VIVA! CINCO DE MAYO... Texans compete for the coveted title of State Menudo Champion. The event features two days of exciting live music, arts and crafts, and a downtown parade. Visit www.toursanmarcos.com, or call (888) 200-5620.

MAY

  May 1 - Taylor
TAYLOR ZEST FEST… (Formerly Taylor Bloomin’ Fest). A Main Street festival held in Historic Downtown District in Taylor. A one-day family event featuring arts & crafts, unique shopping, live entertainment, good food, children’s activities, classic cars and more. 10am-5pm. (512) 352-3675, ext.36. www.taylormainstreet.com.

  May 1-2 - San Marcos
HERITAGE HOME TOURS / TOURS OF DISTINCTION... For over 30 years, the Heritage Association of San Marcos has proudly presented a remarkable collection of elegant historic and spectacular contemporary homes. Tour fee. Call (888) 200-5620, or visit www.toursanmarcos.com.

  May 7-8 - Brenham
120th MAIFEST CELEBRATION... Enjoy one of the oldest German festivals in Texas! Colorful parades, spectacular pageants, food, crafts & exhibits. Enjoy polkas, waltzes and country music. Parade 10am in downtown Brenham. All other activities at Fireman’s Park. Free admission. www.maifest.org or www.BrenhamTexas.com. 1-888-BRENHAM.

  May 15 - San Marcos Sit back and relax on the banks of the San Marcos River! Enjoy the sounds of Texas Western Swing legends under the starlit Texas sky. Visit the natural marketplace brimming with foods & crafts made from Texas’ finest natural products, or have a Texas-style picnic in the park with family and friends. Free admission. (888) 200-5620. www.toursanmarcos.com.

  May 22 - Austin
O. HENRY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUN-OFF... Punographers match wits in two  pun-filled competitions (Punniest of Show & High Lies & Low Puns). Held at O. Henry Museum, 409 E. Fifth St. www.punpunpun.com. (512) 472-1903. www.ohenrymuseum.org.

  May 28, 29 & 30 - Bandera
COWBOY CAPITAL PRO RODEO & COOK-OFF... Outdoor rodeo, BBQ Cook-Off, Golf Tournament, parade, craft fair, retail vendors, food booths. Children’s events include Mutton Bustin’, calf scramble & stick-horse races. Located at Mansfield Park Rodeo Arena. For additional info, visit http://www.banderarodeo.com, email banderarodeo@hotmail.com or call (830) 796-7207.

  May 28-30 – Llano
5th ANNUAL TEXAS PROUD FESTIVAL... Memorial Day Weekend. Re-enactors Guild of America presents the Old West with historical performances & competitions. Also enjoy vendor booths, chili cook-off, music in the gazebo, ice cream contest, Red Top Jail tours, and concert by Mike Blakely & the Whiskey Traders at 7pm. Badu Park on banks of Llano River. (325) 247-5354.

  May 29-31 - Kerrville
39th OFFICIAL TEXAS STATE ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR... Featuring 180 fine juried art crafts by Texans, this renowned show over Memorial Day weekend also includes music, food, Texas Star Talent Contest, art education & demonstration. (830) 896-5711. (888) 335-1455. www.theartoftexas.com.

JUNE

  June through July - San Marcos
SUMMER IN THE PARK CONCERT SERIES... Enjoy summer sunsets with live musical entertainment, Thursdays at Veramendi Plaza & San Marcos Plaza. Pack a picnic basket & take the family out for a night of fun for all ages. Free admission. (888) 200-5620. www.toursanmarcos.com. 

  June 5 - Snook
SNOOKFEST... Join in the fun at SnookFest’s Big Roundup. Antique farm equipment display, contests, children’s barnyard, Czech & country music all day, BBQ & chili cookoff, foods and crafts. Snook School Class Reunion—all classes! 9-5. City Park, 12 mi west of College Station, off Loop 2155. (979) 272-3021.

  June 10-13, June 17-20, June 24-27 - Brenham
UNITY THEATRE PRESENTS “ON GOLDEN POND”... A romantic, American family comedy that goes beyond the usual story of young love. In youth-obsessed culture, here is a refreshing, intelligent and very funny play about a couple in their “golden years” and still deeply in love. Thurs 7:30pm, Fri/Sat 8pm, Sundays 4pm. Unity Theatre, 300 Church St. www.unitybrenham.org. (979) 830-8358.

  June 11-12 - Cameron
MILAN COUNTY NATURE FESTIVAL ... El Camino Real Master Naturalist Chapter hosts its first Nature Fest at Wilson-Ledbetter Park. Speakers include Andrew Sansom of the River System Institute; Lee Ann Linam & Marsha May of TPW; and Flo Oxley from Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Enjoy nature photography contest, demonstrations on building bluebird trails, and child-friendly projects. http://masternaturalist.tamu.edu.

  June 11-13 - Blanco
LAVENDER FEST... Tours of six area lavender farms, cooking demos, lavender products, out-door market, speakers, Texas-produced gourmet food/wine/beer samples, music, street dance. (830) 833-5101. www.blancolavenderfest.com.

  June 12 - San MarcosKnown as the world’s most challenging boat race, this 260-mile canoe race begins at Aquarena Center and continues to the Gulf Coast. San Marcos has been the starting point for this annual event since 1963. It’s a favorite for canoeists, kayakers & spectators.  Call (888) 200-5620, or visit www.toursanmarcos.com.

  June 22-26 - Elgin
WESTERN DAYS... Experience exciting rodeo action, including barrel racing & roping events. Carnival, arts/crafts, live music & dance on Friday night. Longest parade in Central Texas on Saturday morning. Only 19 miles east of Austin on Hwy. 290. (512) 285-4515.  www.elgintxchamber.com.

JULY

  July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 - Brenham
“HOT NIGHTS, COOL TUNES” CONCERT SERIES… Cool off around the square in downtown Brenham. Enjoy live music every Saturday for five weeks. Park benches and lush grass provide great curbside seating, and the sale of beverages and food support this great series of musical events. Each concert begins

  July 4 - Washington
HEB PRESENTS “FIREWORKS-ON-THE-BRAZOS… Celebrate our nation’s independence where Texas declared her independence! Free Blue Bell ice cream treats and coca-cola drinks, live patriotic concert, and a fireworks extravaganza. Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Call (936) 878-2214, or visit www.birthplaceoftexas.com.

  July 5-11 - Lampasas
38th SPRING HO... There’s something for everyone with fireworks, street dance, carnival, children’s activities, parade, arts/crafts, great Texas food. Vendors located on the bank of Sulphur Creek. www.SpringHo.com.

  July 24 & 31 and August 7 - Salado
18th TABLEROCK “SALADO LEGENDS” OUTDOOR MUSICAL DRAMA... A salute to the area’s heritage is presented as an outdoor, costumed musical drama. Performances portray the Scottish heritage of Salado & Central Texas. Original music & a cast of over 200. Saturday evenings 8:15 pm performance and 7:15 pm dinner. Tablerock Amphitheater on Royal Street. www.tablerock.org. (254) 947-9205.

  July 24-25, July 31-Aug 1, Aug 7-8, Aug 14-15 - Brenham - CRUSH FOR FUN AT PLEASANT HILL WINERY…Crush for Fun! Get purple feet, a picture to show friends & a special T-shirt (“I picked. I stomped. I made some wine.”). Enjoy a glass of Pleasant Hill wine; food available. Saturday 11am-6pm, Sunday noon-5pm. Pleasant Hill Winery, 1441 Salem Rd, Brenham. (979) 830-8463. www.pleasanthillwinery.com.  v