JUNE

  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 5 thru August 14 - San Marcos
SUMMER IN THE PARK CONCERT SERIES... Enjoy summer sunsets with live musical entertainment every Thursday at San Marcos Plaza from 7:30pm-9:30pm. Pack a picnic basket and  take the family out for a night of fun for all ages. Free admission. www.toursanmarcos.com, or call (888) 200-5620.

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

  June 21-22, July 19-20 and August 16-17 - New Braunfels
OLD GRUENE MARKET DAYS... Third weekend of every month (except Dec & Jan). Browse out-side booths of authentic artists & craftsmen in this turn-of-the-century town set on the beautiful Guadalupe River. Also visit Historic Gruene Hall & over 25 specialty shops and restaurants. (830) 832-1721. www.GrueneMarketDays.com.

  June 14 - San Marcos
TEXAS WATER SAFARI... Known as the world’s most challenging boat race, this 260-mile canoe race begins at Spring Lake and continues to the Gulf Coast. San Marcos has been the starting point for this annual event since 1963. It’s a favorite for canoeists, kayakers & spectators. (888) 200-5620 or visit www.toursanmarcos.com.

  June 20–21 - Stonewall
53rd PEACH JAMBOREE & RODEO... Parade, dances, queen’s contest, rodeo, peach judging & auction, peaches, food & peach ice cream, live music, Kid’s Peach Patch, washer & 42 tournaments, and 5K-10K Peach Fun Run.  (830) 644-2735, or visit www.stonewalltexas.com.

  June 24– 28 - Elgin
WESTERN DAYS... Come experience exciting rodeo action. Carnival, arts & crafts, live music, and dance on Friday night. Longest parade in Central Texas on Saturday morning. Only 19 miles east of Austin on Hwy. 290. www.elgintxchamber.com. (512) 285-4515.

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 & 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 & children’s activities begin at 10:30am. Free admission. www.chappellhilltx.com.

  July 4 - San Marcos
SUMMERFEST... Celebrate our nation’s independence while the entire family enjoys live music, vendor booths, and a children’s parade. Sit along the banks of the San Marcos River, and watch the spectacular fireworks display. Attendance is free. Visit www.toursanmarcos.com, or call (888) 200-5620.

  July 5 - Bastrop
PATRIOTIC FESTIVAL... Annual free admission festivities in Fisherman’s Park with kid’s activities & games, lots of great food, live music, and a patriotic concert by Austin Symphonic Band during the fireworks display at dark. Saturday, 6pm-9:30pm. For more info, call Bastrop Chamber of Commerce: (512) 303-0558.

  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 and parking. 1-888-BRENHAM or www.downtownbrenham.com.

  July 12 - McDade
MCDADE WATERMELON FESTIVAL... Join in a special salute to the melon in its 66th year in McDade with a parade, watermelon auction, vendors, music, food, car show Queen’s coronation, and street dance on July 11 (8pm-12pm), featuring Kenny Orts Band. (512) 273-0018.

  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.

AUGUST

  August 9 - Chappell Hill
CHAPPELL HILL LAVENDER & WINE FEST... Enjoy a morning or afternoon of lavender cutting, lavender demonstrations, live music, vendors and lavender cuisine at Chappell Hill Lavender Farm (8 mi. N. of historic town of Chappell Hill). Complete your day with wine tasting, grape stomp, vendors and live music at Windy Winery. Saturday ONLY. 2250 Dillard Rd, Chappell Hill. Call (979) 251-8114, or visit www.chappellhilllavender.com.

  August 8–9 - Navasota
19th ANNUAL NAVASOTA BLUES FESTIVAL ... Honoring Navasota’s own famous blues musician and songster—the late Mance Lipscomb. Enjoy a dozen nationally-known blues stage performers. Friday night music 5:30pm-midnight. All Day Saturday Blues Fest 11am-midnight. Grimes County Expo Center.  (936) 825-6600. www.navasotabluesfest.org.

SEPTEMBER

  September 13 - Caldwell
30th ANNUAL KOLACHE FESTIVAL... Down-town on the Courthouse Square, enjoy kolaches, food & craft vendors, Czech bands, quilt show, Antique Tractor Show & car show. FREE. festival@burlesoncountytx.com. www.BurlesonCountyTX.com. (979) 567-0000. 

  Sept 20-21, Oct 18-19, Nov 15-16, Dec 3-4 - New Braunfels - OLD GRUENE MARKET DAYS ... Shop the exceptional handmade quality of sculptors, potters, jewelers, unique craftsman and specialty Texas-made foods, while enjoying live entertainment & 25 specialty stores & restaurants. Historic Old Gruene. www.GrueneTexas.com. (830) 832-1721.

  September 13–20 - Brenham
146th ANNUAL WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIR... The “Oldest County Fair in Texas” features Shows, Rodeos, Music and Fun! Nashville entertainment, carnival, crafts, food, livestock and poultry auctions, commercial exhibits and attractions. For more details, call (979) 836-4112, or visit the website at www.washingtoncofair.com.

  Sept 18, Oct 16, Nov 20, Dec 18 - Gruene Historic District / New Braunfels - COME AND TASTE IT... Meet Texas’ best winemakers & craft brewers at The Grapevine in Gruene Historic District on the third Thursday each month. Complimentary tastings of craft beer & three select wines, plus samples of food offered for sale. Event features live music and prize giveaways. www.GrapevineinGruene.com or (830) 606-0093.

  September 20 - San Marcos
JUNIOR TEXAS WATER SAFARI... This is a 16-mile race for young canoeists & kayakers held annually on the third Saturday of September on San Marcos River. The adventure begins at City Park and ends in Staples. Registration:  8am at City Park. Free for spectators. Visit www.toursanmarcos.com, or call (888) 200-5620.

OCTOBER

  October 1–4 - Round Top
ORIGINAL ROUND TOP ANTIQUES FAIR... One of the “10 Best Antique Fairs in the Country” by Better Homes & Gardens Magazine. Over 350 upscale antique vendors across four location sites. Championship barbeque and acres of free parking. $10 admission fee covers all days. For details: (888) 273-6426 or www.roundtoptexasantiques.com.

  October 4 - Cameron
40th ANNUAL ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR AND 20th FUN RUN... Join us for a full day Saturday Under the majestic oaks in downtown’s City Park. Discover diverse artisan treasures from across central Texas. Booth fees: $45 (15x15). Contact: Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 432, Cameron TX 76520; (254) 697-4979; email chamber@cameron-tx.com; fax (254) 697-2345; www.cameron-tx.com.

  October 9–11 - Gruene Historic District /New Braunfels - 28th ANNUAL GRUENE MUSIC & WINE FEST... This Amercccicana event benefiting local charities features the best in live Texas music and the best in Texas food & wines at Gruene Hall and The Grapevine. All four days are filled with vintner & music events, wine, food & beer samplings and the Great Guitar Auction. For tickets/info:  www.gruenemusicandwinefest.org, (830) 629-5077 or toll-free from San Antonio (830) 606-1601.

  October 11 - Burnet
FORT CROGHAN FESTIVAL... The 1870-1880s period is celebrated on the grounds of historic Fort Croghan with old-time skills demonstrations, including lye soap making, rope-making, quilting & much more. Free admission & free parking. (512) 756-8281.

  October 11 - Anderson
TEXIAN DAY… Experience a day at an 1850’s stagecoach inn. Hear hammers of the blacksmith ring out, watch spinners and weavers ply their trade, listen to beautiful dulcimer music, and other period presentations. Stagecoach rides are weather-dependent. 10am-3pm. Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site. FREE admission; suggested donation of $10 adults & $5 children for stage rides. For details: (936) 873-2633 or visit www.birthplaceoftexas.com.

  October 11– 12 - Chappell Hill
CHAPPELL HILL SCARECROW FESTIVAL... Stroll through this historic town and enjoy over 400 juried vendor booths of home decor, gardening, jewelry & pet accessories. Plus great food, entertainment & numerous children’s activities, including pumpkin decorating contests. Come for the “best family fun in the state.” 1-888-BRENHAM. www.chappellhillmuseum.org.

  October 24– 26 - Flatonia
CZHILISPIEL 42... Come celebrate the 41st Annual Czhilispiel as the historic area of the town is once again blocked off for all to enjoy 3 days of live entertainment, CASI Czhili Cook-Off, BBQ Cook-Off, Tented Biergarten, Food, Arts/Crafts, Special Events, Grand Parade, Carnival & much more. Czech Us Out! www.flatoniachamber.com. www.Czhilispiel.com. (361) 865-3920.

  October 25 - Elgin
27th HOGEYE FESTIVAL... Texas’ biggest small-town block party. 10am to 6pm. “The Sausage Capital of Texas” presents live music, handmade arts/crafts, carnival, cow-patty bingo, car show, kid’s activities, BBQ Po1rk Cook-off, royal coronation & more! Historic Downtown. On Hwy 290, just 19 miles east of Austin. hogeye@ci.elgin.tx.us. (512) 285-5721. www.hogeyefestival.com.

  October 25–26 - Gruene Historic District - New Braunfels - 22nd ANNUAL TEXAS CLAY FEST... Respected potters & sculptors from around Texas display, sell their wares and demonstrate a variety of techniques. Hands-on activities available for children. www.texasclayfestival.com. (830) 629-7975.

NOVEMBER

  November 8-9 - Georgetown
17th ANNUAL HILL COUNTRY ARTS & CRAFT FAIR... Sat 9am-4pm & Sun 11am-4pm. Over 100 booths of juried artists that hand craft and home make all their art, perfect for holiday giving. For seventeen years, the crowds have come to enjoy some of the finest shopping in Central Texas. #2 Texas Drive, Georgetown TX (5 miles west of I-35 on Williams Drive/FM 2338). For inquiries: (512) 948-7393.

  November 8–9 - Gruene Historic District/ New Braunfels - 31st ANNUAL TOUR DE GRUENE BICYCLE CLASSIC... Participants enjoy a leisurely ride through the Texas Hill Country or competitive time trials with prizes for the best course records. Also free live music at Gruene Hall in the Historic District. www.tourdegruene.com. (210) 862-3524 to register.

  November 21–22 - College Station
CELEBRATE THE WORLD AT BRAZOS VALLEY WORLDFEST...