Featured Upcoming Events

Annual Texas Events

Fiesta Edinburg, weekend-long event in late February. Enjoy parade, rodeo, fajita cook-off, live concert music, and exhibits in celebration of the founding of the city. Edinburg Chamber, (956) 383-4974.

March

Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show, Mercedes. Held in Mid-March, the livestock show is one of the Valley’s most popular annual events with an average attendance of 160,000. Support 4-H and Future Farmers of America high school students as they show their wares. For entertainment don’t miss the rodeo, carnival, nightly dances, games, contests and other family- oriented entertainment. (956) 565-2456.

April

Riofest, Harlingen. Celebrate culture with food, music, arts and crafts at Harlingen’s annual festival. Art exhibits, contests at indoor and outdoor exhibits. Artists of every age can show their work or just look and learn by taking lessons at no extra charge. The make-believe "Western Town" for the kids, complete with a jail, is a favorite attraction. RioFest features dozens of musical acts - amateur and professional. Second weekend in April. (956) 425-2705.

May

Butterfield Stage Days - Bridgeport - The second weekend in May the city of Bridgeport celebrates the town's reason for existence--the Butterfield Overland Mail Stagecoach. A bridge was built in order for this stagecoach to cross the Trinity River, thus initiating the establishment of the city of Bridgeport. Event includes carnival rides, booths, vendors, a parade, and PRCA rodeo.

Kerrville Folk Festival - Eighteen great days of musical events, starting the Thursday before Memorial Day at the outdoor theater at Quiet Valley Ranch. Enjoy excellent music on the scenic campgrounds. Food and beverage available. Fees vary according to days attending. Quiet Valley Ranch is located 9 miles south of Kerrville on Hwy. 16. For General Information Call 830-257-3600. Tickets Only: 800-435-8429. www.kerrvillefolkfestival.com June

Annual Barbeque - Chico - Held the second Saturday in June, this event serves as a fundraiser for the Community Volunteer Fire Department and includes food and live entertainment.

Chisholm Trail Days - Decatur - Started in the '70s and celebrating western heritage, this event is held on the third Saturday in June. Event includes a petting zoo, a fun jump, train rides, pony rides, hay rides, stagecoach rides, kids games, craft vendors, cowboy poetry, a chuckwagon exhibit, gunfighters, homemade ice cream contest, kids stickhorse rodeo, fiddle competition, hamburger supper, and live entertainment.

July

Independence Day Activities & Largest Fireworks in Upper Valley, McAllen, includes a morning city wide parade (Archer Park), swimming activities & other family entertainment culminated with a large & beautiful fireworks display (Bicentinial & Tamarack). Everything is free and brought to you with love from McAllen's Parks & Rec, their sponsors and the city. A wonderful way to be a part of this growing community.

Huge Independence Day Fireworks, South Padre Island, the display is grand and wonderful and almost makes the crowds and traffic problems worth it. Think about taking a boat ride from Port Isabel ... and missing that long wait to get over the causeway.

Fourth Fest - Runaway Bay - Fireworks over Lake Bridgeport in Runaway Bay is a day long festival. Event includes a golf tournament, a parade with golf cart and antique car entries, food and craft booths, bounce house and Lions' Club train for the kids, National Guard rock climbing wall, raffle, Honor Guard leading the national anthem, live entertainment, and fireworks over Lake Bridgeport at dusk.

Elgin People’s Patriotic Fourth of July Parade: Push, Pedal, Pull and Pets is the theme of the annual parade and celebration held each year on the Fourth of July. It is a fun event for children, pets, adults, seniors and veterans. Everyone is invited to walk down historic Main Street from City Hall to the Veterans’ Memorial Park for a celebration of our nations’ freedom. All non-motorized entries are accepted. Food and fun follow the parade with a short program and a Soap Box Derby exhibition by the local Cub Scouts. For more information on this event, contact the Elgin Parks and Communtiy Development Department at 512-281-5724 or visit www.elginpard.com.

September

Main Street Festival - Paradise - The Paradise Historical Society sponsors this event on the last Saturday in September to raise funds for the Veterans Memorial Park in Paradise's downtown park. Event includes vendors, food booths, auction, a quilt show, and live music.

Kerrville Wine & Music Festival - Labor Day Weekend. A four-day condensed version of the internationally famous 18-day Folk Festival. Original songwriters and entertainers from all over the nation perform. Wine tasting, crafts, food services and camping are available.For General Information Call 830-257-3600. Tickets Only: 1-800-435-8429. www.kerrville-music.com

October

The Longest Causeway Run and Wellness Walk, Port Isabel to South Padre Island, first Saturday in October. A 10- kilometer run/walk over one of the nation’s longest bridges. 1-800-527-6102.

World’s Championship Shrimp Cook-off, Port Isabel, Columbus Day Weekend. Takes place on one and a half city blocks. Help judge the world-class shrimp dishes. Street dance in the evening, along with a folk art festival, food booths. 1- 800-527-6102.

The Pearls Art Show: kicks off the annual Hogeye Festival every year on the fourth Thursday of October. This juried art show is also a community event and is a lesson in enjoying great art and not taking art too seriously. Professional artists participate in this juried art show. A silent auction and live auction during the evening raise funds for art scholarships for area high school graduates who wish to continue their education in the arts. The event is generously supported by local businesses, the Elgin Main Street Board, and the Hogeye Festival committee. For Information, contact: Melissa Rackel 512-627-2583. The annual Hogeye Festival is for the entire family and features food, kids activities, handmade arts and crafts, music by local bands and plenty of pig puns to go around. Also included are the Road Hog Car Show, In a Pigs Eye Dart Contest, Gordon Swenson Memorial BBQ Pork-Off, Piggy Idol Talent Showcase, Carnival, Cow Patty Bingo and last but not least, the crowning of King Hog or Queen Sowpreme. Set in Historic Downtown Elgin, this is an event you will want to come back to year after year.

December

Christmas on the Square - Decatur - Held on the first, second, and third Saturdays in December. The first Saturday is the Moonlight Madness parade at 6:00 pm, the second Saturday is Cowboy Christmas and the third Saturday is Mistletoe and Motorcycles. Event includes Christmas Carriage Rides in the historic district, carolers, UNT Jazz ensemble, kids activities throughout the square, and stores stay open late.

Lighted Christmas Parade: Sponsored by the Elgin Volunteer Fire Department, this annual parade is a favorite of the locals as well as the many visitors it attracts. You will be sure to enjoy the creativity and diversity of the many floats. This event takes place the first Saturday of December at dusk. The parade route follows Main Street from 11th to Brenham. Contact the Elgin Volunteer Fire Department at 512-281-4025.