APRIL

  April 19–22 - Fort Stockton
20th ANNUAL BIG BEND OPEN ROAD RACE… “The most challenging Open Road Race in the World” takes place as a 118-mile round-trip from Fort Stockton to Sanderson and back, with over 100 racers regularly breaking 200 mph. Also enjoy live entertainment, a parade, car shows, awards banquet, public viewings, and start/finish line excitement. www.bborr.com. (877) 336-8525.

  April 22–23 - Lubbock
LUBBOCK ARTS FESTIVAL... Enjoy the largest fine arts and crafts event in West Texas! Festival presents visual art, music, theater, dance, and children's activities. Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. (806) 744-2787.

  April 28–30 - Midland
34th ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS... 60 visual artists in juried show indoors, interactive arts experiences, festival refreshments and more. Held at Horseshoe Arena & Pavilion. For information:  info@acmidland.org, (432) 687-1149, or www.acmidland.org.

  April 28–30 - Lamesa
CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK FESTIVAL & CROSSROADS BALLOON RALLY... Declared the "Legendary Home of the Chicken-Fried Steak" by the Texas Legislature, Lamesa celebrates in Forrest Park with a chicken-fried steak cook-off & dinner, wine-tasting, music, classic car show, team-roping competition, ranch rodeo, 5K Run, cowboy church, pony rides & games, and a hot air balloon rally. www.ci.lamesa.tx.us. (806) 777-1171.

  April 29–30 - Ballinger
TEXAS STATE FESTIVAL OF ETHNIC CULTURES… Join in this multicultural celebration with ethnic foods, parade, 3-on-3 basketball, arts & crafts, music, children’s events, the Colorado River Bike Festival and Miss Ballinger pageant at the county courthouse grounds. (325) 365-2333.

MAY

  May 20 - Santa Anna
FUNTIER DAYS & WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BISON COOK-OFF… As the Official Bison Cook-off of Texas,  this competition features Texas’ best tournament cookers on beef brisket, chicken, pork ribs and bison and offers cash prizes. Also enjoy games, rides, arts & crafts, homemade pies & ice cream, cloggers, bluegrass music, a street dance, and more. Old Armory Civic Center. (325) 348-3232.

JUNE

  June 2–3 - Midland
MEX-TEX FAMILY FIESTA… Enjoy this Premier Rock & Roll Tejano music and menudo and fajita cook-off competition at Permian Basin’s largest cultural event. (432) 682-2960.

  June 2–3 - Haskell
WILD HORSE PRAIRIE DAYS... Western musical entertainers, ranch rodeo, parade, ranch horse competition, kids' rodeo, BBQ cook-off, dance, trade show, cutting horse contest and cowboy church service at Haskell Rodeo Grounds at Civic Center. (940) 864-2477. www.haskelltexasusa.com.

  June 7–10 - Snyder
WEST TEXAS WESTERN SWING FESTIVAL...