MARCH

  March 4 - Sugarland
9th ANNUAL CULTURAL KITE FESTIVAL... Expect beautiful kites, windy weather, and exciting entertainment! The fun includes a kite contest, chalk art contest, cultural performances, kite-making workshop for kids, cultural food & beverages. Free. 10am-2pm. Brazos River Park & Festival Site. (281) 275-2885.

  March 17–26 - Eagle Pass
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP FESTIVAL...  This celebrated border festival presents carnival rides at Shelby Park, sporting events, downtown parade, Noches Mexicanas with live entertainment, and a variety of food & other booths at Shelby Park. Toll free 1-888-355-3224.

  March 25 - Weslaco
TEXAS ONION FEST... Salutes the Texas Sweet Onion developed in Weslaco. Features an onion-eating contest, musical entertainment, dancing horse shows, arts & crafts, car show, children's events, culinary stage, kiddie rides and an onion recipe contest at Weslaco City Park. (956) 968-2102. www.weslaco.com/onionfest.

  March 31–April 2 - Tomball
16th ANNUAL GERMAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL... Celebrate German OktoberFest in March with 200 street vendors, arts/crafts, 4 stages of live music, carnival, fireworks, antique shops, food, beer & bike rally in Old Downtown. Free admission/parking. Free shuttles from Tomball Regional Hospital. Sponsored by Tomball Sister City Org. Vendors welcome! Grady Martin (281) 379-6844, or,  www.tomballsistercity.org,  gradsand@yahoo.com.

APRIL

  April 21–23 - Port Aransas
TEXAS SANDFEST... One of the largest Master Sand Sculpting Competitions in the USA! Amateurs & families participate in open competitions. Enjoy the invigorating sun & surf and spend the weekend enjoying great food, accommodations, entertainment and island shops of all kinds. More than 100,000 attendees enjoy Texas Island Style! www.portaransas.org. 1-800-45-COAST.

  April 21–23 - La Marque
TEXAS ROCKIN' SEAFOOD FESTIVAL... Celebrate the Texas gulf bounty & culture with seafood, fun & music. Also enjoy a big carnival, contests, crawfish, crafts vendors. Live music by Cowboy, Trio Grande, Drugstore Gypsies, and more. Gulf Greyhound Park. www.texasseafoodfestival.com.

  April 22 - La Porte
SAN JACINTO DAY FESTIVAL AND BATTLE REENACTMENT... This year celebrates the 181st anniversary of Texas Independence. Enjoy a full battle reenactment, music, living history demonstrations, children's area, Texas-themed vendors & more. Free to the public. Open 10am to 6pm. At La Porte near Houston. www.sanjacinto-museum.org.

  April 22–23 - Lake Jackson
MIGRATION CELEBRATION... Celebrate birding with seminars, nature tours, and a spectacular Birds of Prey show, as more than 600 species of springtime birds migrate throughout the Brazosport coastal area. www.migrationcelebration.org. (866) 403-5829.

  April 28–29 - La Porte
61st ANNUAL SYLVAN BEACH FESTIVAL... Experience arts & crafts, carnival rides, pageants, a parade, live entertainment & kid's events. Historical Sylvan Beach Park on scenic Galveston Bay. Park opens 10am. www.laportechamber.org. (281) 471-1123.

  April 29 - Carrizo Springs
11th ANNUAL BULL-NANZA... Honoring medical professionals with this annual Bull Riding event. Experience great bull riding thrills, a 6pm mutton bustin' & boot scramble for kids,  food vendors and dancing to Country and Tejano music. Gates open at 5pm; Bullride begins at 7pm. Carrizo Springs Fairgrounds & Rodeo Arena. For info, call (830) 876-5205.

MAY

  May 27–28 - Rockport
21st ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF WINE & FOOD... The Texas Maritime Museum hosts wine tasting, wine seminars, fine foods, and entertainment on the Museum grounds. 4-11pm both days. (361) 729-1271 or 1-866-729-AHOY. For more info: www.texasmaritimemuseum.org, or, FacebookFriends, or www.texasfestivalofwines.com.

JUNE

  June 10 - East Bernard
CZECH KOLACHE-KLOBASE FESTIVAL... Come to Riverside Hall for polka dancing, arts and crafts, sausage and barbecue chicken, kiddie games, dancers, raffle and cakewalk. (979) 531-9747 or (979) 335-7907.  v