MARCH

  March 2 - 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, plus costume/float awards. (940) 779-2424. Toll-free (888) 779-8330.

  March 8-9 - Fort Worth
50th ANNUAL FORT WORTH SHOW OF ANTIQUES & ART … Formerly the Dolly Johnson Antique Show. Enjoy this 50th anniversary blow-out with 100 exhibitors from across the U.S. Still with a gutsy mix of all styles, era & price ranges of antiques, art & vintage! Fri 9am-7pm; Sat 9am-5pm. Will Rogers Memorial Center. $7 admission; kids free. (817) 291-3952. Discount coupon at www.fortworthshow.com.

  March 16 - Dublin
39th ST. PATRICK’S FESTIVAL... “The Irish Capital of Texas” presents a celebration of Highland Games, carnival rides, activities, food and fun for the whole family. Lots of arts & crafts and so much more! Come out and celebrate. dublintxchamber@embarqmail.com. (254) 445-3422.

  March 16-17 - Granbury
34th GENERAL GRANBURY’S BIRTHDAY PARTY BEAN, BRISKET & RIB COOK-OFF... Hosted around the downtown Historic Courthouse Square, celebrate the birthday of the town’s name-sake with arts and crafts booths, bean-eating contest, outhouse races, parade and entertainment. (817) 573-5299. For additional information: www.granburysquare.com or granburyhgma@gmail.com.

APRIL

  April 6 thru May 27 - Waxahachie
SCARBOROUGH RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL... Scarborough Renaissance Festival opens for eight weekends plus Memorial Day. Enjoy continuous entertainment, renaissance-era handmade crafts, foods and games. Discount tickets available. (972) 938-3247.

  April 13 - Malakoff
CORNBREAD FESTIVAL... Munch on delicious cornbread & beans as Malakoff celebrates this Southern culinary delight. Events include Run to the Corn 5K, booths, Cornbread & Bean Cook Off, pet contest, live entertainment and more. For info, visit www.malakoffchamber.org, or call (903) 489-8118.

  April 13 - Sherman
KITE AND BIKE FESTIVAL... Enjoy springtime festivities outdoors all day Saturday, including bicycling events and kite-flying! Held at Pecan Grove Park West, 3200 Canyon Creek. www.shermantx.org. (903)892-7230.

  April 19-21 - Grandview-Cleburne-Itasca-Maypearl - ANTIQUE ALLEY TEXAS & 37 MILES OF SHOPPING ... 100’s of vendors galore covering 37 miles! Grandview also offers vendors & entertainment. No telling what treasures you will find along the way! www.AntiqueAlleyTexas.com or 817-240-4948.

  April 19-21 - Cleburne
WHIPP FARM ANTIQUE ALLEY SHOW... Discover 180 dealer booths at Whipp Farm, 1900 E. on FM4 South during the community’s bi-annual Antique Alley & Yard Sale. Also held September 20-22, 2013. For more info, visit www.whippfarm.com. Vendor Inquiries Welcome! (817) 641-0183 or whipp@hughes.net.

  April 20 - Sherman
EARTH DAY TEXOMA FESTIVAL ... This communitywide, free family event provides opportunities where ordinary people learn practical things to improve the health of the planet, their children and themselves. Festivities feature vendors, work-shops, entertainment, plant sales and more. Municipal Grounds. (903) 892-7230. www.earthdaytexoma.org.

  April 20 - Princeton
2013 PRINCETON SPRING ONION FESTIVAL... Enjoy craft & activity booths, food vendors, 5K Run, Silent Auction, Onion Cook-off, 3-on-3 Basketball, Tennis Tournament, and much more. Held at Princeton High School, 1000 E. Princeton Dr. (Hwy 380). www.princetononionfestival.com.

  April 20-21 - Ennis
ENNIS BLUEBONNET TRAILS FESTIVAL... Discover a springtime celebration of fine arts and crafts, performing artists, bluebonnet & wildflower trails, car show, children’s activities, live music, and entertainment. Downtown Ennis. In its 62nd year as Texas’ Official State Bluebonnet Trail. www.visitennis.org. (972) 878-4748.

  April 20-21 - Terrell
HERITAGE JUBILEE... BBQ cook-off, entertainment, dog show, 5K run, craft vendor booths, quilt show, motorcycle rally, health & business expo, car show, rodeo & carnival in Ben Gill Park. (972) 563-5703. www.terrelltexas.com.

  April 21 - Denton
20th ANNUAL REDBUD FESTIVAL ... “The Redbud Capital of Texas” celebrates Spring & Arbor Day with a Home and Garden Show with 60 booths, free seminars, Kids Zone, xeriscape classes, music & environ-mental activities. Don’t miss the TRASHion Runway Show with designer fashions made from reused & recycled items. Free admission. 10am-4pm. Held at Denton Civic Center. www.KDB.org. (940) 349-8738.

  April 26-28 - Denton
33rd DENTON ARTS & JAZZ FESTIVAL 2013... Celebrating music & art with seven stages of FREE entertainment! See Dave Sanborn Trio, The “Original” Blues Brothers Band, and Brave Combo on the Jazz Stage, plus many more. Also enjoy great food, fine arts & crafts, and kid’s activities. FREE admission! Quakertown Park (two blocks off Courthouse Sq). No pets or coolers. www.dentonjazzfest.com. (888) 381-1818 or (940) 565-0931.

  April 26-28 - Muenster
38th ANNUAL GERMANFEST.... Enjoy continuous entertainment, including Diamond Rio, Hard Nights Day, Alpenfest, Simon & Garfunkle Tribute, Brave Combo & more. Great German food booths, Texas wineries, arts & crafts, large BBQ cook-off, fun run, carnival rides, Nagelschlagen, water bumper boats, bike rally & more. For more info: www.germanfest.net or www.muensterchamber.com.

MAY

  May 2-5 - Fort Worth
MAYFEST... Fort Worth's favorite family festival! 33 acres of fun in Trinity River Park for the whole family with 7 stages of live entertainment, special attraction shows, carnival rides, activities, confetti eggs, the best in festival foods and beverages, an art & gift market, and dedicated children's area.  www.mayfest.org.

  May 3-4 - Breckenridge
STEPHENS COUNTY FRONTIER DAYS... Enjoy vendors, food, fun zone, Breckenridge Talent Search, 42 and horse shoe 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 information: chamber@breckenridgetexas.com, 254-559-2301, or www.breckenridgetexas.com.

  May 3-5 - Sherman
BIRDFEST TEXOMA... Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge hosts its birding and nature festival, North Texas-style, featuring nationally-known David Allen Sibley, The Raptor Project, field trips, nature walks, talks & much more! For additional info and registration, go to www.Birdfesttexoma.org. (903) 786-2826.

  May 10-11 - Electra
30th ANNUAL ELECTRA GOAT BBQ COOK-OFF... Cook-off with over $2500 prize money. Six cooking events include goat, chicken, ribs, brisket, jackpot beans and steak. Kid’s games, craft booths and FREE dance at the Fairgrounds. Email: electracoc@electratel.net; (940) 495-3577; Website: www.electratexas.org.

  May 11 - Hillsboro
3rd ANNUAL TRI HILLSBORO TRIANTHLON… Please visit our web-site www.hillsborotriathlon.com.  for additional information.

  May 17-18 - 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, speakers, demonstrations and more. For  additional information, contact Audie Murphy / American Cotton Museum: Call (903) 450-4502, or visit www.amacmuseum.com.

  May 24-26 - Ennis
47th ANNUAL NATIONAL POLKA FESTIVAL... Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend with Czech and Slovak heritage festivities, folk dancing, authentic cuisine, Czech costumes, 200 craft & food booths, 14 live bands and a giant parade. Downtown and three Czech Halls. (972) 878-4748. www.nationalpolkafestival.com.

  May 24-26 - Sherman
LIFELIGHT MUSIC FESTIVAL... Over Memorial Day weekend, LifeLight presents a free Christian music fest at near Sherman/Bells at Willowood Ranch. The three-day festival begins Friday with performers & bands from around the globe, speakers, food, merchandise, skateboarding, the arts, camping & more! FREE admission! www.lifelight.org. (605) 338-2847.

  May 25-27 - Granbury
GRANBURY’S MEMORIAL DAY VETERAN’S CELEBRATION... Enjoy arts & crafts, food vendors, parade (Monday) & entertainment on the Downtown Historic Square. There are also children’s games and contests. For additional info, call 817-573-5299, visit www.granburysquare.com, or email granburyhgma@gmail.com. 

  May 26 - Irving
7th ANNUAL DFW DRAGON BOAT, KITE AND LANTERN FESTIVAL... Enjoy dragon boat racing; kite flying demo and competition; 13 Asian country dancers; Oriental food; lantern display and riddles; photo contest; shopping & informational booths. FREE admission & FREE concert.  8:30am-8pm. Lake Carolyn (near Riverside and Hwy 114). For additional info, visit: http://dfwdragonboatfestival.com.

  May 31 - June 1 - Denton
20th DOG DAYS OF DENTON… “Texas’ Original Celebration for Pooches and Their People”. Live entertainment; canine contests; freestyle, frisbee & fly-ball demonstrations, Glamfur photos, arts and crafts, games, canine couture fashion show, music & festival foods. FREE admission. Quakertown Park, 321 E. McKinney Street. www.dogdaysdenton.com.

JUNE

  June 8 - Hillsboro
MAIN STREET STEAK COOK-OFF / ARTS & CRAFTS... Bring your family & enjoy our Hillsboro Downtown District, beginning Saturday morning at 10am. Vendors, Games & Steak Cook-off (steak dinner $18 adults; $8 for children 12 & under). Vendors needed. Call Charlotte Heald: (254) 582-5499. Visit website http://www.hillsborochamber.org.

  June 1-2 - Waxahachie
45th ANNUAL GINGERBREAD TRAIL TOUR OF HOMES... Tour five historic homes, and enjoy an antique car show, arts and crafts fair, and courthouse tours.  www.gingerbreadtrail.net. (972) 937-0681.

  June 8, Saturday - Paris
CLASSIC CAR SHOW... 30+ classes, many special awards, ARTS/CRAFTS, SWAPMEET, food, kid activities, special shopping! Cruise night, giant 50’s street party, music/entertainment Friday 6pm, Love Civic Center - 2025 S. Collegiate. Hosts: Red River Valley Honkers Car Club. SEEKING VENDORS: email kscarrol@att.net. Contact S. Carrol. www.RRVhonkers.com. (903) 739-9763.

  June 29 - Frisco
TEXAS DREAM CRUISE… Hey, car enthusiasts! The Texas Dream Cruise is gearing up to become the largest one-day car show & cruise held annually in the Southwest. If it has wheels, it's time to DUST IT OFF & SHOW IT OFF! $20 by April 30 to show or cruise your car at FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco. The Rumble Kings band & many family activities are all free to the public. Find us at www.texasdreamcruise.com, Facebook (Texas Dream Cruise) and twitter (TXDreamCruise).

JULY

  July 3 & 4 - Waxahachie
16th ANNUAL CRAPE MYRTLE FESTIVAL & PARADE... Experience a wonderful driving trail of historic homes & blooming crape myrtles in celebration of the 4th of July in the “Crape Myrtle Capital of Texas.” Celebrate freedom with the HEB fireworks display & concert on July 3 at the Waxahachie Sports Complex and a hometown patriotic parade on July 4.  (972) 937-2390. www.waxahachiechamber.com.

  July 4-6  – Granbury
39th OLD-FASHIONED 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION... Come to the Historic Square to celebrate Independence Day with a "Stars, Stripes & Strings" concert, arts & crafts vendors, ranch rodeo, car show, decorated bike contest, live theater shows, Big Band Dance, hometown parade, old-fashioned games & Grand Finale fireworks over Lake Granbury. www.granburychamber.com. (817) 573-1622.

  July 13 - Weatherford
PARKER COUNTY PEACH FESTIVAL... Historic Downtown features over 200 arts, crafts, food & activity vendors, special stage entertainment, children’s events & Peach Pedal Bike Ride. www.peachpedal.com or www.peachfestivaltx.com. (888) 594-3801.

AUGUST

  August 31-September 1 – Bedford
CITY OF BEDFORD LABOR DAY BLUES & BBQ FESTIVAL... Music lovers with an appetite for tasty blues & mouth-watering barbecue will enjoy great stage performers, including legends Buddy Guy Jimmy Vaughn and John Mayall, as well as a $10,000 BBQ cook-off. Sat & Sun, 2pm-11pm. 2000 Forest Ridge Dr. in Bedford. $5 general admission. www.bedfordbluesbbq.com or (817) 952-2323.

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