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Peruse our database of Texas events –
from
community plays and cook-offs to mega-festivals and touring productions.
We highlight a few of options here.
Some Like it HotSome folks can’t get enough of the heat—even in August—when
it comes to salsa picante. The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival celebrates
20 years by hosting the hottest show in town on August 29, from 11 a.m.-5:30
p.m. in downtown Austin’s Waterloo Park. What started as a friendly competition
between Austin and San Antonio salsa makers has grown into one of the largest
annual hot sauce contests in the world, with more than 350 entries each year.
Individuals, restaurants, and commercial bottlers compete separately in three categories—red,
green, and special-variety. The judging panel features renowned Texas foodies
and a few special guests. (Last year, TH Photo Editor Griff Smith put his taste
buds on the line.) Music and salsa-making demonstrations round out the event,
as well as plenty of ice-cold beverages to quell the heat. Admission is free
with a donation of three nonperishable food items for the Capital Area Food
Bank of Texas. Call 512/454-5766; www.austinchronicle.com/hotsauce.
Nice RideThe annual classic-car caravan—the Bug Tussle Trek (August
28-29)—begins in McKinney and heads to Farmersville, then on to the tour’s
namesake, Bug Tussle, followed by stops in Honey Grove (picnic lunch), Roxton
(ice cream), Paris (banquet/overnight stay), and Greenville (watermelon). For
more on this year’s Northeast Texas automotive adventure, contact the Honey
Grove Chamber at www.honeygrovechamber.com, or the Paris Visitors and
Convention Council at 800/727-4789; www.paristexas.com. How ’Bout Them Apples?Apple lovers, unite for the Mason County Apple Fest, held in
Mason on Sept. 4 from 10-4. From frozen apple-cider slushies to apple
arts-and-crafts and games, this annual celebration on the lawn of the historic
Mason County Courthouse offers everything any apple addict could desire. Flaunt
your food flair at the apple-baking contest. Participate in The Great Topaz
Treasure Hunt. See the Little Miss Apple Blossom Style Show, witness a William
Tell archery contest, bob for apples, enjoy live music and revel in the fruits
of Labor Day weekend. Call 325/347-1808 or 325/347-5758; www.masoncountyapplefest.org.
Heard Through the Grapevine
Celebrate the charm, romance, and wonder of the vineyards’
harvest at the 23rd Annual GrapeFest from Sept. 17-20 in Grapevine. GrapeFest,
the largest wine festival in the Southwest, presents festivalgoers with wines
from more than 30 Texas wineries as well as wines from across the nation and
the world. Kids in tow? Not a problem. GrapeFest accommodates the family with
live music, arts-and-crafts booths, carnival rides, midway games, and ice
carving. Step into the action feet-first and take part in the GrapeStomp
competition, stomping 20 pounds of grapes for a chance to win the “Purple Foot”
Award. Call the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800/457-6338: www.grapevinetexasusa.com.
 Cycling the Coast
Bicycle the beautiful Texas Gulf Coast during the 7th Annual
Conquer the Coast cycling event, Sept. 24-25. The tour begins in Corpus Christi
at Whataburger Field. Cycling criteriums will take place both Friday and
Saturday at a course set up nearby. Cyclists will gather early Saturday, Sept.
25, to participate in either a leisurely 10- or 25-mile cruise along scenic
Shoreline Boulevard and Ocean Drive on Corpus Christi Bay, or take a 65-mile
tour of the Coastal Bend. The longer route crosses the Harbor Bridge to
Portland, and proceeds through Ingleside, Aransas Pass, onto the Port Aransas
ferry, through Port Aransas, Upper Padre Island, and back along Ocean Drive and
Shoreline Boulevard to Whataburger Field. Call 361/881-1800 ext. 224;
www.conquerthecoast.org.
For a free printed copy of an even more detailed, quarterly
schedule of events, write to Texas Events Calendar, Box 149249, Austin
78714-9249. Or, call 800/452-9292 from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, between
8-6 Central.
For Texas travel questions, call 800/452-9292 to reach a
TxDOT Travel Infor-mation Center, where a professional travel counselor will
provide routing assistance, advise you of any emergency road conditions, and
send brochures (including the official Texas State Travel Guide and map,
accommodations guide, and quarterly Texas Events Calendar).
Send future event information to: Texas Events Calendar, Box
141009, Austin 78714-1009; fax: 512/486-5879; e-mail: trv-tec@dot.state.tx.us.
Listing deadlines: Spring (Mar, Apr, May) Dec 1; Summer (Jun, Jul, Aug) Mar 1;
Fall (Sep, Oct, Nov) Jun 1; Winter (Dec, Jan, Feb) Sep 1.
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