JUNE

  Year Round - Tyler 
TYLER ROSE MUSEUM... A tribute to the history and legacy of the rose-growing industry and the Texas Rose Festival. Magnificent jeweled costumes and hands-on interactive exhibits & videos showcase the unique 73-year-old Rose Festival. Visit www.tylerrosemuseum.com, call (903) 597-3130, or e-mail info@texasrosefestival.com.

  June 10 - August 3 - Kilgore
EAST TEXAS PUMP JACKS BASE-BALL... Join the East Texas Pump Jacks and all your friends for the excitement of baseball, fireworks, promotions, contests, mascots, music, food, and, most of all—fun! Held at Driller Park. Tickets: (903) 218-4638.

  June 13-14 - Crockett
72nd WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIDDLERS’ FESTIVAL AND 4th ANNUAL STEAK COOK-OFF... Join in a wonderful weekend of old-time music and fiddlin’ fun at the Civic Center, plus a cook-off competition. Hear dozens of fiddlers in jam sessions & a contest for cash prizes. (888) 269-2359 or (936) 544-2359.

  June 13-15, July 18-20, August 15-17 - Livingston - TRADE DAYS... Discover a wide array of Trade Days treasures, original handcrafted artworks, antiques, collectibles, crafts and foods at Pedigo Park on Hwy 59 Bypass. www.UBHOOKD.com. (936) 327-3656 or 1-877-UBHOOKD.

  June 13-21 - Sulphur Springs
HOPKINS COUNTY DAIRY FESTIVAL
& ICE CREAM FREEZE OFF... Join in a week-long salute to the dairy industry in an old-fashioned county fair atmosphere! Events include the ice cream freeze off at Civic Center, as well as a milking contest, street dance, parade, kid’s events, and musical entertainment.  (888) 300-6623. http://www.sulphursprings-tx.com/visitor.htm.

  June 14 - Nacagdoches
TEXAS BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL... The largest producer of blueberries in Texas presents a blueberry pancake breakfast, children’s bounce park, arts and crafts, blue-berry pie-eating contest, the Borden Train, live musical entertainment, blueberry farm tours and family fun downtown. (936) 560-5533 or www.texasblueberryfestival.com.

  June 14- Jacksonville
TOMATO FESTIVAL… Enjoy many tomato activities, including Hot Sauce Con-test, gospel concert, karaoke contest, live entertainment, lots of kid’s activities & much more! Arts/crafts, street dance, and live entertainment add to this family event. In its 24th year! Free admission. (903) 586-2217. (800) 376-2217. www.jacksonvilletexas.com. 

JULY

  July 3 - August 3 - Kilgore
TEXAS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL… Recognized as one of the leading Shakespeare festivals in the country, a professional theater company produces two Shakespeare plays, a classical play, a children’s play and an American musical. Celebrating the Festival’s 24th season! Van Cliburn Auditorium on Kilgore College Campus. (903) 983-8117. Tickets: (903) 983-8601.

  July 4 - Jefferson
JEFFERSON SALUTES AMERICA... Enjoy a slice of Norman Rockwell during a red, white and blue 4th of July celebration as “Jefferson Salutes America.” Live orchestra, homemade ice cream contest, cake and pie auction, Quacker State Duck Race, Fireworks Fantazmagoria over Jefferson’s Big Cypress Bayou, and more. A grand time for the entire family. www.jefferson-texas.com. (888) GO-RELAX.

  July 4 - Commerce
JULY 4TH CELEBRATION... Celebrate Independence Day fun with a softball game, live bands on stage (5pm-9pm), children’s activities, food, pony rides, kid’s bouncy booths, and fireworks finale (9:30pm). Bicentennial Park. (903) 886-3950.

  July 9-12 - Jacksonville
WESTERN DAYS… Celebrate the 46th annual Tops in Texas Rodeo & Western Days with nationally-known musical entertainment performing nightly, PRCA rodeo, parade, chuckwagon luncheon & street dance. (800) 376-2217. www.jacksonvilletexas.com 

  July 11-13 - Longview
30th GREAT TEXAS BALLOON RACE ...Since 1978, the largest sanctioned hot air balloon race in Texas features 3 early morning competitions, state championships, 2 evening balloon glows with 80 balloons, nightly concerts, arts, crafts, food and KIDS LAND. Held at the East Texas Regional Airport in Longview.  www.GreatTexasBalloonRace.com. 903-753-3281.

  July 13 - Jefferson
19th ANNUAL JEFFERSON HERITAGE TRIATHLON... Known as one of the premier race sites in the South, this 1/2 mile swim, 25K bike and 5K run is held at scenic Lake O’ the Pines. Hosted by the Krewe of Hebe. www.jefferson-texas.com. 1-888-GO RELAX. www.mardigrasupriver.com.

  July 25-26 - Naples
70th NAPLES WATERMELON FESTIVAL ...Celebrate summer with a water-melon parade, evening street dance, arts & crafts, musical entertainment, sports con-tests & kid’s games at the Melon Patch. Rodeo on July 24-26. (903) 897-2037.

AUGUST

  August 8-10 - Crockett
HUNTING EXPO... Exhibits featuring decoy carvers, collectors, eclectics, dealers, vintage birds, call makers, ATVs, UVs, feeders, blinds, hunting leases, taxidermy, gun repair, clubs, associations, the Forest Service, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and other hunting accessories. Booths available. Call Chamber for info: (936) 544-2359.

  August 13-16 - New Boston
38th ANNUAL PIONEER DAYS FESTIVAL ... Join in the fun of four-wheeler mud races, carnival rides, gospel singing, parade, arts and crafts, live stage entertainment Friday and Sat, pancake breakfast, saloon show & children’s games in downtown New Boston. (903) 628-2581.

  August 8-9 - Navasota
13th NAVASOTA BLUES FESTIVAL... Honoring Navasota’s famous blues musician & songster—the late Mance Lipscomb. Enjoy a dozen nationally-known blues stage per-formers. Friday night music 7pm-midnight. All Day Saturday Blues Fest 12noon-midnite. Grimes County Expo Center. (936) 825-7055. www.navasotabluesfest.org.

SEPTEMBER

  September 9-13 - Longview
LONGVIEW JAYCEES GREGG COUNTY FAIR AND EXPO... Musical stage entertainment, livestock shows and contests, carnival rides, children’s events, arts and crafts, and pageant at Gregg County Fairgrounds. (903) 753-4478.

  September 20 - Buffalo
29th ANNIVERSARY BUFFALO STAMPEDE... Saturday. Stampede parade ends in Harriman Park for a day of FUN. Live entertainment, a park filled with KID’s games, arts & crafts, food vendors, Stampede Car Show, RAFFLE for a 4-Wheeler & much more. (903) 322-5810. PO Box 207, Buffalo TX 75831.

  September 23-28 - Lufkin
24th TEXAS STATE FOREST FEST... Hushpuppy Championships, carnival, pet parade, children’s events,  Old Mill Town, baby derby, Scout Fair, new car display, live music, cheerleading & pom-pon/dance competitions, Family Music Fest and more. Henderson Expo Center. (936) 634-6644. www.texasforestfestival.com.

  September 26-28 - Commerce
BOIS D’ARC BASH... “The Bois d’Arc Capital of Texas” - 22nd Annual Bash Down-town. Saturday: Arts & crafts, food, music, children’s activities, 5K fun run, junior livestock show, parade, youth pageant, wine tasting and historical tours. Sunday: Car show and BBQ lunch. (903) 886-3950. www.commerce-chamber.com.

OCTOBER

  October 11-November 30 - Greater Houston Area (Plantersville) - THE TEXAS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL... Experience the Magic of the Nation’s Largest Renaissance Theme Park on Saturdays, Sundays, and Thanksgiving Friday. www.texrenfest.com. (800) 458-3435. A New Adventure Every Weekend!