JUNE

  June 2 thru August 11 - 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 (512) 393-8400.

  June 3–4 & June 9–11 - Lockhart
“BBQ CAPITAL OF TEXAS” CHAMPIONSHIP COOK-OFF & 44th CHISHOLM TRAIL ROUNDUP ...Join a western celebration with a RODEO, carnival rides & games, horseshoes, live music concert & dances, auction, arts & crafts, car show, bike ride and food vendors all at the Lockhart City Park. Also Grand Parade downtown on Saturday. (512) 398-2818. www.chisholmtrailroundup.com.

  June 11 - 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. Visit www.toursanmarcos.com, or call (888) 200-5620.

  June 11–July 16 - Round Top
ROUND TOP MUSIC AT FESTIVAL HILL 2016... 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 and Chamber Orchestras perform several times during June. Individual and season tickets available. Round Top Festival Institute, Hwy 237 at Jaster Road. (979) 249-3129. www.festivalhill.org.

  June 17–18 - Stonewall
55th PEACH JAMBOREE & RODEO ... Parade, dances, queen’s contest, rodeo, peach cobbler, peach-pit spitting & peach-eating contests, food, live music, Kid’s Peach Patch, washer & 42 tournaments, peach judging & auction, and more! Info: (830) 644-2735, or, www.stonewalltexas.com.

  June 18–19, July 16–17 & August 20–21 - Gruene Historic District /New Braunfels
GRUENE MARKET DAYS... Shop the exceptional handmade quality of sculptors, potters, jewelers, unique craftsman & specialty Texas-made foods, while enjoying live entertainment & 25 specialty stores & restaurants. Historic Old Gruene. www.GrueneTexas.com or www.gruenemarketdays.com. (830) 832-1721.

  June 21–25 - 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. (512) 285-4515. www.elgintxchamber.com.

JULY

  July 2 - 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, 5pm-9:30pm. For more info, call Bastrop Chamber of Commerce: (512) 303-0558. www.bastropchamber.com.

  July 2–3, 9–10, 16–17, 23–24, 30–31; August 6–7, 13–14 - 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 & 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.

  July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 - Brenham
“HOT NIGHTS, COOL TUNES” CONCERT SERIES… Cool off around the square downtown. 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 or 1-888-BRENHAM.

  July 4 - Chappell Hill
FOURTH OF JULY PARADE & SUMMER COWBOY EVENT… Chappell Hill’s 40th Annual 4th of July Parade—the “Best Small Town Parade in America!” Featuring floats, cowboys, antique cars & 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 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: 1-888-BRENHAM or visit www.whereTexasbecameTexas.org.

  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. (512) 393-8400. www.toursanmarcos.com.

  July 9 - McDade
MCDADE WATERMELON FESTIVAL ... Join in a special salute to the melon in its 68th year in McDade with a parade, watermelon auction, vendors, waterslide, music, food, car show, Queen’s coronation, and street dance on July 8 (8pm-12pm), featuring Kenny Orts Band. McDade Watermelon Festival, PO Box 783, McDade, TX 78650.

  July 23–24, July 30–31, Aug 6–7, Aug 13–14 - Brenham
CRUSH FOR FUN AT PLEASANT HILL WINERY… Crush for Fun 2016! 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.

AUGUST

  August 12–13 - Navasota
21st ANNUAL NAVASOTA BLUES FESTIVAL... Honoring Navasota’s famous blues musician & songster— the late Mance Lipscomb. Enjoy a dozen nationally-known blues stage performers. Friday night music 7pm-midnight. All Day Saturday Blues Fest starting mid-day until midnight. Grimes County Expo Center.  www.NavasotaBluesFest.org. (936) 825-6600.

  August 13 - Chappell Hill
CHAPPELL HILL LAVENDER AND WINE FEST… Countryside neighborhood festival with Chappell Hill Lavender Farm and Windy Winery, featuring tastings, crafts, vendors, music, lavender cuisine, demonstrations and more. Free admission. For more information, call (979) 251-8114, or visit the website at www.chappellhilllavender.com.

SEPTEMBER

  September 2–4 - Boerne
111th ANNUAL KENDALL COUNTY FAIR... Activities include a parade, live-stock show, rodeos, bull riding, Queen’s Pageant, arts & crafts, daily & nightly entertainment, and kid’s activities. Labor Day Weekend. Herff Park-Kendall County Fairgrounds, 1307 River Road. Gate admission includes all activities, plus FREE parking. (830) 249-2839.

  September 10 – Caldwell
32nd ANNUAL KOLACHE FEST-IVAL ... Downtown on the Courthouse Square, enjoy kolaches, food & craft vendors, Czech bands, quilt show, Antique Tractor Show& car show. FREE. For details: (979) 567-0000. www.BurlesonCountyTX.com, or, festival@burlesoncountytx.com.

  September 10–17 - Brenham
148th 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 & attractions. For more details, call (979) 836-4112, or visit www.washingtoncofair.com.

  September 17 - San Marcos
JUNIOR TEXAS WATER SAFARI ...This is a 16-mile race for young canoeists and kayakers held annually on the third Saturday of September on San Marcos River. The adventure begins at City Park & ends in Staples. Registration:  8am at City Park. Free for spectators. Call (888) 200-5620, or visit www.toursanmarcos.com.

  September 22–October 9 - Brenham
UNITY THEATRE PRESENTS “BLYTHE SPIRIT”... This Noel Coward comedy offers up fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles, remarried but haunted by his late first wife. Call for tickets. Unity Theatre, 300 Church St. (979) 830-8358. www.unitybrenham.org. Tickets@UnityBrenham.org.

  September 23–October 1 - Burton
LA-BAHIA ANTIQUE SHOW & SALE ... Dealers from across the country offer antiques, collectibles, vintage, porcelain restoration at the show & more. Late shopping until 7pm Sept. 23rd. LaBahia Hall, 290W /237TX. Free admission & parking. For additional information, visit www.labahiaantiques.com, or call 888-273-6426.

  September 26–October 1 - 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

  October 6–9 - Gruene Historic District / New Braunfels
30th ANNUAL GRUENE MUSIC & WINE FEST... This Americana 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 & Great Guitar Auction. For tickets & info: www.gruenemusicandwinefest.org, or  (830) 629-5077, or toll free from San Antonio (830) 606-1601.

  October 8–9 - Chappell Hill
CHAPPELL HILL SCARECROW FESTIVAL... Stroll through this historic town, and enjoy over 250 juried vendor booths of home decor, gardening, jewelry & pet accessories. Plus great food, entertainment, and numerous children’s activities, including face painting, pony rides & more. Come for the “best family fun in the state.” www.chappellhillhistoricalsociety.org. (979) 836-6033.

  October 15 - Brenham
TEXAS BREW-STEP… Sample craft brews from around Texas and talk to the brewers who make them. Enjoy our historic district and the unique businesses represented. (979) 836-3696 or visit www.DowntownBrenham.com/BrewStep.

  October 22 - Elgin - 29th HOGEYE FESTIVAL... Texas’ biggest small-town block party. 10am-6pm. “The Sausage Capital of Texas” presents live music, handmade arts & crafts, carnival, cow-patty bingo, car show, kid’s activities, BBQ Pork Cook-off, royal coronation & more! Historic Downtown. On Hwy 290, just 19 mi. east of Austin. hogeye@ci.elgin.tx.us. (512) 285-5721. www.hogeyefestival.com.

  October 22–23 - Gruene Historic District / New Braunfels
24th ANNUAL TEXAS CLAY FEST...