MARCH

  March 6 - Possum Kingdom Lake
MARDI GRAS - BOURBON STREET-ON-THE-BRAZOS... An afternoon parade down PK’s own Bourbon Street signals the start of Mardi Gras, Possum Kingdom style! Complete with floats, beads, candy, trinkets. Round out the day with a shrimp feast, Cajun dance music, crowning of King Possum & Queen Carp and costumes & floats awards. (940) 779-2424. Toll-free (888) 779-8330.

  March 6-7 - Frisco
ARTS IN THE SQUARE... This annual juried creative arts show at Frisco Square and Simpson Plaza features artists in both visual & performing arts. Enjoy mixed media, fiber, ceramics, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, photography, sculpture, wood, and paintings. There are also activities for children and live entertainment. Tollway & Main Street, across from Pizza Hut Park. Call (469) 633-1721, or visit www.FriscoSquare.com/AITS.

  March 12-13 - Fort Worth
47th ANNUAL DOLLY JOHNSON ANTIQUE & ART SHOW... The oldest antique show in the west features 75 top exhibitors with antiques, art and vintage finds from Pilgrim Century to Mid-Century Modern. Will Rogers Memorial Center. Friday 9am-7pm (Happy Hour Party 4-7pm) and Saturday 9am-5pm.  www.dollyjohnsonAntiqueandArtShow.com. $1 off with ad. 817-291-3952. 

  March 20 - Dublin
ST. PATRICK’S FESTIVAL... “The Irish Capital of Texas presents a grand celebration with Highland Games, Irish folk music, arts & crafts, St. Patrick’s parade and carnival at City Park. In its 36th year! (254) 445-3422. dublintxchamber@embarqmail.com.

  March 20-21 - Granbury
32nd GENERAL GRANBURY’S BIRTH-DAY PARTY BEAN, BRISKET & RIB COOK-OFF... Hosted around the downtown Historic Courthouse Square, celebrate the birthday of the town’s namesake with arts & crafts booths, bean-eating contest, out-house races, parade and musical entertainment. hgma@sbcglobal.net. (817) 573-5299. www.granburysquare.com.

APRIL

  April 10 - Denton
16th ANNUAL REDBUD FESTIVAL... “The Redbud Capital of Texas” celebrates Spring and Arbor Day with a Home and Garden Show, pet adoptions, turtle discovery, Kids Zone, xeriscape classes, children’s environmental activities, and musical entertainment. Free admission. Held at Denton Civic Center. (940) 349-8738. www.KDB.org.

  April 14-18 - Henrietta
TURKEY FEST & Wild turkey hunting competition of celebrity hunters with film crews, “Hunt of a Lifetime” Auction and steak banquet with entertainment. Henrietta & Clay County Chamber: (940) 538-5261.

  April 16-18 and September 17-19, 2010 - Grandview - Maypearl - Cleburne
ANTIQUE ALLEY... Shop the 25-mile long Antique Alley with antiques, arts and crafts, yard sales, festival foods & entertainment! Downtown Grandview has many street vendors with bargains galore! Enjoy home-made ice cream & Masonic Lodge BBQ. www.AntiqueAlleyTexas.com. (817) 240-4948.

  April 16-18 - Cleburne
WHIPP Discover 180 vendors at Whipp Farm on FM4 South during the community’s bi-annual Antique Alley that extends for miles. Also held in September. For more information, visit www.whippfarm.com. Vendor Inquiries Welcome! Contact Debbie Whipp at whipp@hughes.net or (817) 641-0183.

  April 16-18 - Terrell
HERITAGE JUBILEE... BBQ cook-off, entertainment, dog show, 5K run, craft vendor booths, quilt show, motorcycle rally, health & business expo, antique cars, rodeo & carnival in Ben Gill Park. (972) 563-5703. www.terrelltexas.com.

  April 17 - Wichita Falls
10th ANNUAL PROVENANCE HISTORIC HOMES TOUR... Experience Country Club Estates’ variety of architectural styles of homes built at turn of the century thru the 1950s. Trolley circular route begins at Woman’s Forum, 2120 Speedway Ave. Tickets $20. Saturday, 10am-3pm. Presented by the Wichita County Heritage Society. (940) 723-0623.

  April 17-18 - Ennis
ENNIS BLUEBONNET TRAILS FESTIVAL... Discover a springtime celebration of fine arts & crafts, performing artists, bluebonnet & wildflower trails, children’s activities, live music, and entertainment. Downtown Ennis. In its 59th year as Texas’ Official State Bluebonnet Trail. (972) 878-4748. www.visitennis.org.

  April 18-24 - Corsicana
DERRICK DAYS... Corsicana’s rich oil heritage is annually celebrated with a free “Tribute to Lefty Frizzell” concert, Derrick Days Rodeo, collectible car cruise-in & car show, live music, Spring Luncheon, story-tellers & speakers, art auction, poster contest, pancake breakfast, 5K run, Saturday parade, cook-off, games, arts/crafts, and Saturday parade. www.derrickdays.com. (877) 648-2688.

  April 23, 24, 25 - Muenster GERMANFEST... Enjoy continuous entertainment on 2 stages, including Mark Chestnut, Alpenfest, The Willie Nelson Tribute Show and more. There are also arts & crafts, sanctioned BBQ cook-off, rock climbing, carnival rides, bike rally and fun run. In its 35th year! www.germanfest.net or www.muensterchamber.com. (800) 942-8037.

  April 23-25 - Denton A grand celebration of music and art, featuring six stages of entertainment, including Chick Corea Trio, Jimmie Vaughan, and Brave Combo. There’s also great food, fine arts & crafts, kid’s activities, and FREE admission. Held in Quakertown Park, two blocks NE of Courthouse Square. www.dentonjazzfest.com. (888) 381-1818 or (940) 565-0931.

  April 24 - Princeton
2010 PRINCETON SPRING ONION FESTIVAL... Enjoy craft and activity booths, food vendors, 5K Run, Silent Auction, Car Show and much more. Held at Princeton High School, 1000 East Princeton Dr. (Hwy 380). www.princetononionfestival.com.

  April 24-25 - Cisco
CISCO FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL AND FRONTIER JUBILEE... In its 35th festival year, early Texas culture & folk life-styles are celebrated with pioneer skill demonstrations, vintage tractors, style show, art contest, parade, street dance, trail ride, arts/crafts & musical entertainment. Cisco Junior College campus grounds. (254) 442-2537.

  April 29-May 2 - Fort Worth
MAYFEST... Celebrating Mayfest’s 38th year of family fun at Trinity River Park. Live entertainment throughout the day, food, sports, fireworks, free children’s area with over 20 activities and the Art Market. All proceeds go back into the community. (817) 332-1055. Mayfest@mayfest.org or  www.mayfest.org.

  April 30-May 1 – Breckenridge
STEPHENS COUNTY FRONTIER DAYS... Enjoy vendors, food, fun zone, Breckenridge Talent Search, 42 and horseshoe tournaments, and other family entertainment while listening to live music. Held at Breckenridge City Park, in conjunction with Bob Drake Memorial Chuck Wagon Cook-off. Free admission. For more info: chamber@breckenridgetexas.com.  254-559-2301, or www.breckenridgetexas.com.

MAY

  May 7-8 - Electra
27th ANNUAL ELECTRA GOAT BBQ COOK-OFF... Cook-off with over $2500 prize money. Six cooking events include goat, chicken, ribs, brisket, jackpot beans & steak. Kid’s games, cow patty plop and FREE dance at the Fairgrounds. (940) 495-3577.

  May 7-8 - Bridgeport
BUTTERFIELD STAGE DAYS FESTIVAL... Saturday festivities feature craft & food vendors, Bridgeport Idol con-test, and a carnival at Harwood Park, 9am-4pm. PRCA Rodeo events are 7pm Friday & Saturday. Events celebrate the local mid-1800’s stagecoach route & the town’s river toll-bridge heritage. Booths available. (940) 683-2076 or www.bridgeportchamber.org.

  May 16 - Irving
4th ANNUAL DFW DRAGON BOAT, KITE & LANTERN FESTIVAL 2010... Dragon boat racing by over 30 teams, plus kite flying & making by pros and amateurs, martial-arts demos, Asian & Pacific dances, Oriental foods, kids’ activities, and shopping booths. Sponsored by Marco Polo World Foundation. Free admission. 10am-6pm. East end of Lake Carolyn (near Riverside & State Hwy 114). www.dfwdragonboatfestival.com.

  May 28-30 - Ennis
44th ANNUAL NATIONAL POLKA FESTIVAL... Celebrate Memorial Day Week-end with Czech & Slovak heritage festivities, folk dancing, authentic cuisine, 200 craft & food booths, Czech costumes, 14 live bands and a giant parade. Downtown & three Czech Halls. www.visitennis.org. (972) 878-4748.

  May 29-31 - Granbury
MEMORIAL DAY’S HOMETOWN FAIR AND PICNIC... Enjoy arts & crafts, food vendors, Saturday parade, and entertainment on downtown’s Historic Square. Just off the square at Shanley Park, there are children’s games, carnival and contests. A car show is held Saturday at 600 W. Pearl St. For more info, visit www.granburysquare.com, call 817-573-5299, or email hgma@sbcglobal.net.

JUNE

  June 5-6 - Waxahachie
42nd ANNUAL GINGERBREAD TRAIL TOUR OF HOMES... Tour five historic homes, and enjoy an antique car show, arts and crafts fair, and courthouse tours.  (972) 937-0681.

  June 11-12 - Paris
CLASSIC CAR Saturday car show in 30+ classes. Arts/crafts and swap-meet on Friday & Saturday. Food, kid activities, special shopping buys, fun for all! Cruise night followed by giant 50’s street party & musical entertainment on Friday 6pm at Love Civic Center - 2025 S. Collegiate St. Hosted by Red River Valley Honkers Car Club. Seeking venders: call S. Carroll. (903) 739-9763. InfoHotline: (903) 783-6338. www.rrvhonkers.com.

  June 17, 18, 19 - Wichita Falls
23rd LEGENDS OF WESTERN SWING MUSIC FESTIVAL... Hundreds of western swing musicians gather for 3 full days of performances: Bob Fjeldsted, Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys with Leon Rausch and Tommy Allsup, John England & the Western Swingers, Bobby Flores & The Yellow Rose Band, Ted Scanlon & The Desperados, Dennis Ivey Band, Eddie McAlvain and more! At Events Center. www.legendsofwesternswing.com. (972) 612-9598.

  June 25-26 - Greenville
AUDIE MURPHY DAYS... A two-day celebration honoring the military and Audie Murphy—the most decorated hero of WWII. Ceremonies, music, dignitaries, static displays, memorabilia/stamp sales and more. For more information, contact Audie Murphy / American Cotton Museum: call (903) 450-4502, or visit www.cottonmuseum.com.

  June 25-27 - Celina
5th ANNUAL CELINA BALLOON FESTIVAL... Join us for a weekend of high flying fun in Celina! Witness colorful hot air balloon ascensions, night-time glow, over 100 vendors, live music and other special festivities at Old Celina Park. For more information: call (972) 382-3600, or visit www.celinachamber.org.

JULY

  July 10 - WeatherfordHistoric Downtown features over 200 arts, crafts, food and activity vendors, plus special continuous stage entertainment and children’s events. 8am-5pm. (888) 594-3801. For more information, visit www.peachpedal.com or www.peachfestivaltx.com.   v