MARCH

  March 1–2 - Washington
TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION... Free two-day historic celebration! Come celebrate the 177th anniversary of Texas Independence! Experience life in the Republic of Texas. Costumed re-enactors, period craft demonstrations, military encampments and Texas tunes, 10am-5pm. Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. www.birthplaceoftexas.com. (936) 878-2214.

  March 1– 31 - Flatonia
PARADE OF QUILTS... Czech us out! Shop owners display a profusion of heirloom and contemporary quilts throughout downtown stores during the month of March. Flatonia is located at Exit 661 on I-10, between Houston & San Antonio. www.flatoniachamber.com. (361) 865-3920 or flatoniacofc@sbcglobal.com. 

  March 7, 14, 21, 28 & April 4, 11, 18, 25 & May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 - Brenham
WINE DOWN AT PLEASANT HILL WINERY... “Wine Down” on Fridays on the deck, and watch the sun set. Enjoy wine by the glass or share a bottle with friends. Cheese boards available. 3pm-sunset. Every Friday in March, April & May. Pleasant Hill Winery, 1441 Salem Road. www.pleasanthillwinery.com. (979) 830-VINE (8463).

  March 8 - Burton
TEXAS RANGER DAY… Enjoy history, re-enactments, cook-off, live music noon-8pm. Gate charge. Burton Heritage Society, 507 North Railroad Street. Come join the fun! www.burtonheritagesociety.org.

  March 8 - Anderson
STAGECOACH DAYS… Fanthorp Inn visitors experience cross country travel via stagecoach. Learn the Inn’s history & 1840s-60’s connection of stage lines connecting Texas towns. Presentations throughout the day. Coach rides 11am-3pm (dependent on weather & teams) with suggested adult ride donation of $10 & children $5. Open to all ages; children must be accompanied by adult. No admission fee. February thru October on second Saturday. www.birthplaceoftexas.com.

  March 8 - Schulenburg
“WHAT I LIKE ABOUT TEXAS” WINE & MUSIC FESTIVAL... Enjoy wine tasting and live music in Downtown Schulenburg—Home of the Painted Churches! 4pm. visitorinfo@verizon.net. (866) 504-5294.

  Mar 15–16, Apr 19–20, May 17–18 - New Braunfels
OLD GRUENE MARKET DAYS... Every third weekend except Dec/Jan. Browse outside booths of authentic artists & craftsmen in this turn-of-the-century town set on the beautiful Guadalupe River. Also visit Historic Gruene Hall and over 25 specialty shops & restaurants. www.GrueneMarketDays.com. (830) 832-1721.

  Mar. 20, Apr. 17, May 15, Jun 19, Jul 17, Aug 21, Sept 18, Oct 16, Nov 20, Dec 18
Gruene / New Braunfels - COME AND TASTE IT... Meet Texas’ best winemakers & craft brewers the third Thursday of each month. Enjoy complimentary tastings & learn directly from these craftsmen. Music & food samples complement the wines on Gruene Historic District’s Grapevine Patio. Also live entertainment nightly at Texas’ Oldest Dancehall. (830) 606-0093. www.GrapevineinGruene.com.

  March 28–April 5 - Burton
LA BAHIA ANTIQUE SHOW AT LA BAHIA HALL... LaBahia Antique Show 8am (during the Round Top Festival) 80+ dealers offering wide variety of antiques, collectibles, vintage items and porcelain restoration at the show. Country cooking all day. Free adm./parking. LaBahia Hall at 290W/237Tx.Burton, TX. (979) 289-2684. www.labahiaantiques.com.

  March 29 - Flatonia
SPRING MARKET DAY WITH TEXAS INDEPENDENCE RELAY EXCHANGE... Arts and crafts, jewelry, hand-crafted one of a kind items, food, drinks, music & more! CHEER on the TIR runners on South Main St. Downtown Flatonia. www.flatoniachamber.com. (361) 865-3920. flatoniacofc@sbcglobal.net.

MARCH

  April 3–13 - Brenham
UNITY THEATRE PRESENTS “LAUNDRY AND BOURBON”…  Enjoy an intimate Studio Series comedic drama about small town life portrayed on a front porch in Maynard, Texas. Unity Theatre, 300 Church Street. Thurs 7:30pm, Fri/Sat 8pm, Sun 4pm. www.unitybrenham.org. (979) 830-8358.

  April 5 - Schulenburg
SAUSAGEFEST... Enjoy live music, sausage making, street dancing and tasty food in Downtown Schulenburg—Home of the Painted Churches! 2pm. (866) 504-5294. visitorinfo@verizon.net.

  April 10–13 - Driftwood
OLD SETTLERS MUSIC FESTIVAL … Great music from bluegrass to blues to Americana and folk! Experience an eclectic batch of national, regional, local & new artists, plus camping, jamming, performance work-shops, youth competition, kids’ activities & more. www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org.

  April 11–12 - Rockdale
5th ANNUAL MILAM COUNTY NATURE FESTIVAL… Festivities are held at Rockdale Fair Park, 9am to 2pm, with “Preservation of Habitats” as this year’s theme. Featuring Bill Oliver, Mr. Habitat: Environmental Troubadour, along with several other speakers, booths and hands on activities for young and old. For more info, go to http://txmn.org/elcamino/naturefest.

  April 11– 13 - Luckenbach
7th ANNUAL THOMAS MICHAEL RILEY MUSIC FESTIVAL… This small, but outstanding festival features such talented Texas Singer Songwriters as Thomas Michael Riley, Max Stalling, The Tejas Brothers, Chris Wall, Hal Ketchum, Tommy Alverson and more.  www.thomasmichaelriley.com.

  April 11–13 - Burnet
BLUEBONNET FESTIVAL... “The Bluebonnet Capital of Texas” hosts arts and crafts, entertainment, parade, scholarship pageant, fun runs, pet parade, golf tournament, destruction derby, carnival, gunfighters & dance. (512) 756-4297.

  April 12 - Canyon Lake
SPRING MARKET DAYS... Over 100 vendors with holiday gifts, collectables, arts, crafts & food. Free parking & admission. 10x10 $35 outdoor space. Limited $45 indoor space. Canyon Lake Recreation Center. 9am-4pm Saturday, . www.crrcofcanyonlake.org. (830) 964-3003.

  April 12 - Flatonia
FLATONIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CRAWFEST... Czech us out! A feast of crawfish, shrimp, sausage, potatoes, corn, beer, wine, tea, live music, dancing. Silent & live auctions. Door Prizes, 6pm-12 midnight. Flatonia American Legion Hall. Tickets:  $30 per person. Flatonia is located at Exit 661 off I-10, between Houston & San Antonio. www.flatoniachamber.com. (361) 865-3920. flatoniacofc@sbcglobal.net.

  April 12–13 - Chappell Hill
OFFICIAL BLUEBONNET FEST-IVAL OF TEXAS... Stroll through this historic town to enjoy the fest’s 50th Anniversary with over 400 juried vendor booths of home decor, gardening, jewelry, children’s items, pet accessories & more. Plus great food, entertainment, music & fun in the heart of bluebonnet country. Listed in Texas Highways Magazine as the #7 most popular event! Visit www.chappellhillmusuem.org or call 1-888-BRENHAM.

  April 25–26 - Burton
25th ANNUAL BURTON COTTON GIN FESTIVAL… The cotton era comes alive! Gin tours, parade, auctions, live music, folklife demonstrations, tractor pull, petting zoo, contests, and more. Texas Cotton Gin Museum, 307 N. Main Street. (979) 289-3378. www.cottonginmuseum.org.

MAY

  May 2–4 - Brenham
124th MAIFEST CELEBRATION... Enjoy one of the oldest German festivals in Texas with your family. Colorful parade, spectacular performances, “all you can eat” Blue Bell ice cream with the Noon Lions Club, German food, live entertainment, quality arts & crafts and kid’s activities! Free admission. For more information: 1-888-BRENHAM (273-6426). www.maifest.org or www.VisitBrenhamTexas.com.

  May 3 - Taylor
TAYLOR ZEST FEST... A Main Street festival held in Historic Downtown District in Taylor. A one-day family event featuring unique shopping, arts & crafts, live entertainment, good food, children’s activities, classic cars & more. 10am-5pm. www.taylortx.gov. (512)352-3463.

  May 3–4 - San Marcos
TOUR OF HOMES... For well over 30 years, the Heritage Association of San Marcos has proudly presented a remarkable collection of elegant historic and spectacular contemporary homes. Tour fee. Call (888) 200-5260 or visit www.toursanmarcos.com.

  May 16–18 - San Marcos
SWING ON THE SQUARE:  WESTERN SWING HERITAGE FESTIVAL... Celebrate Texas! Festival on the Courthouse Lawn with games, food and live music on the Square. Ticketed dinner & Western Swing Hall of Fame Show. Gospel Brunch Sunday on the Courthouse Lawn. Free admission. www.toursanmarcos.com. (512) 393-8430.

  May 16–17 - Cherokee
CHEROKEE CREEK MUSIC FEST-IVAL... Great musical entertainment in the Hill Country! Jimmy LaFave, Bob Schneider, Indigo Girls, Patty Griffin, and Lucinda Williams. All in a beautiful setting, with camping, lunch & dinner in the ticket price. Held at 4160 FM-501 in San Saba County. Benefiting non-profit charities for children. (214) 981-0700. www.cherokeecreekmusicfestival.org.

  May 17 - Cameron
CAMERON DEWBERRY FESTIVAL ...Cameron celebrates Spring with the Dewberry Festival! Come enjoy a cake and cobbler bake-off, youth fishing tournament, classic car show, arts & crafts fair, and much more! It’s where the fun begins!  Check out www.cameron-tx.com for updates on more events. (254) 697-4979.

  May 22–June 8 - Brenham
UNITY THEATRE PRESENTS “DEATHTRAP”… On the main stage. Writer Sidney Bruhl has hit a dry spell but devises an evil plan to overcome it and suspense mounts steadily as the plot twists and turns with devilish cleverness. Unity Theatre, 300 Church Street. Thurs 7:30pm, Fri/Sat 8pm, Sun 4pm. (979) 830-8358. www.unitybrenham.org.

  June 1–July 12 - Round Top
ROUND TOP MUSIC AT FESTIVAL HILL 2014... 100 young musicians from around the world study & perform in a series of orchestra & chamber music concerts with renowned international faculty, conductors & soloists. The Festival & Chamber Orchestras perform several times during June. Individual & season tickets available. Round Top Festival Institute, Hwy 237 at Jaster Road. (979) 249-3129. www.festivalhill.org.

JUNE

  June 6–7 & June 12–14 - Lockhart
“BBQ CAPITAL OF TEXAS” CHAMPIONSHIP CHILI COOK-OFFS & 42nd CHISHOLM TRAIL ROUND-UP... Join a western celebration now with a RODEO, carnival rides & games, horseshoes & washers, auction, live music concert and dances, arts/crafts, food vendors all at the Lockhart City Park & Saturday Grand Parade downtown. www.chisholmtrailroundup.com or 512-398-2818.

JULY

  July 4 - Washington
HEB PRESENTS “FIREWORKS-ON-THE-BRAZOS… Celebrate our nation’s independence where Texas declared her independence! Free Blue Bell ice cream treats and Coca-Cola drinks, live patriotic concert, and a fireworks extravaganza. Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. For details, call 1-888-BRENHAM, or visit www.birthplaceoftexas.com.

  July 4 - Chappell Hill
FOURTH OF JULY PARADE & SUMMER COWBOY EVENT… Chappell Hill’s 38th Annual 4th of July Parade—the “Best Small Town Parade in America!” Featuring floats, cowboys, antique cars, and the renowned Marching Kazoo Band. Starts 10am in Downtown Chappell Hill. Cowboy demonstrators, pony rides and children’s activities begin at 10:30am. Free admission. www.chappellhilltx.com.

  July 5, 12, 19 & 26 - Brenham
“HOT NIGHTS, COOL TUNES” CONCERT SERIES… Cool off around the square in downtown Brenham. Enjoy live music every Saturday in July. Park benches and lush grass provide curbside seating, and the sale of beverages and food support this great series of musical events. Each concert begins at 7pm. Free admission & parking. www.downtownbrenham.com. 1-888-BRENHAM or

  July 19–20, July 20–27, Aug 2–3, Aug 9–10 - Brenham
CRUSH FOR FUN AT PLEASANT HILL WINERY … Crush for Fun 2014! Get purple feet, a special T-shirt (“I picked. I stomped. I made some wine.”) and a picture to show your friends. Sat 11am-6pm, Sun noon-5pm. Pleasant Hill Winery, 1441 Salem Rd, Brenham. (979) 830-8463. www.pleasanthillwinery.com.

  July 19–20, July 26–27, Aug 2–3, Aug 9–10 - Brenham
HARVEST GRAPE STOMP...  Start with a hayride out to the vineyard. Pick grapes, bring them back, pour them in the barrel, then step in and stomp or squish to music, which makes all the stress in your life fade away! Then as a memento, step out with your purple feet onto a keepsake t-shirt! Sat 11am-6pm & Sun noon-5pm. Windy Winery, 4232 Clover Rd., Brenham. (979) 836-3252. www.windywinery.com.