JUNE

  June 1–18 - Brenham
UNITY THEATRE PRESENTS "LEADING LADIES"... Two down-on-their-luck actors resolve to impersonate an elderly woman's nephew to inherit her fortune, only to discovery relatives aren't nephews but nieces! Unity Theatre, 300 Church Street. www.unitybrenham.org.

  June 4–July 16 - Round Top
ROUND TOP MUSIC AT FESTIVAL HILL 2017... 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 16–17 – Stonewall
56th 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! (830) 644-2735, or visit www.stonewalltexas.com.

  June 17 - Brenham
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION… Juneteenth is a hometown celebration of freedom. Enjoy food and craft vendors, entertainment and DJ music. Parade 10:30am, Downtown Brenham. Other activities noon-5:00pm, Fireman's Park. Free admission. 888-BRENHAM (273-6426). Visit www.BrenhamTexas.com.

  June 17–18, July 15–16, Aug 19–20 - New Braunfels
www.GRUENEMARKETDAYS.com ... 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 20–24 - 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. 90. (512) 285-4515. www.elgintxchamber.com.

JULY

  July 1–2, 8–9, 15–16, 22–23, 29–30; Aug 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 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.whereTexasbecameTexas.org.

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

  July 8 - McDade
MCDADE WATERMELON FESTIVAL… Join in a special salute to the melon in its 69th year with a parade, watermelon auction, vendors, waterslide, music, food, car show & Queen’s coronation. Street dance on July 7th (8pm-12pm) features Kenny Orts Band. www.mcdadetx.com. McDade Watermelon Fest, PO Box 783, McDade, TX 78650.

  July 8, 15, 22, 29 - 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. 1-888-BRENHAM or www.downtownbrenham.com.

  July 22–23, July 29–30, Aug 5–6, Aug 12–13 - 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 - 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.

  August 19 - Jonestown
6th ANNUAL SWIFT FEST… Celebrate chimney Swifts—the graceful migratory birds that make Jonestown their seasonal home. Festivities include live music, nature-themed vendors, games, food, bird & reptile show, and the amazing whirlwind of these swifts returning to their evening cistern home! Held at 18649 Hwy. 1431. 4:30pm to 10pm. www.swiftfest.org.

  August 31–September 3 - Boerne  
112th ANNUAL KENDALL COUNTY FAIR... Activities include a parade, livestock 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

  September 16–23 - Brenham
149th 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.

  September 22–30 - Burton
LA-BAHIA ANTIQUE SHOW & SALE... Dealers from across the country offer antiques, collectibles, vintage, porcelain restoration at the show & more. 8am start. Late shopping till 7pm, Sept. 22nd. LaBahia Hall, 290W/237TX. Free admission & parking. For additional information, visit www.labahiaantiques.com, or call (979) 289-2684.

  September 25–30 - 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 5–8 - Gruene Historic District / New Braunfels
31st 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, visit www.gruenemusicandwinefest.org, or call (830) 629-5077, or toll-free from San Antonio (830) 606-1601.

  October 7 - Anderson
STAGECOACH DAYS… Learn the way people lived in 1850's Texas, ride our bright red replica stagecoach pulled by the Percheron draft horses Willie and Waylon, tour the Inn, enjoy music, and reminisce with our cowboy poet. 11am-3pm. Donations of $4 adults, $2 children accepted. Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site in Anderson. (936) 878-2214. www.birthplaceoftexas.com.  

  October 14 - Anderson
TEXIAN DAY… Experience a day at an 1850's stagecoach inn. Hear hammers of the blacksmith ring out, watch spinners & 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. (936) 873-2633. www.birthplaceoftexas.com.

  October 14–15 - 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." (979) 836-6033. www.chappellhillhistoricalsociety.org.

  October 28 - Elgin
30th 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 Park Cook-off, royal coronation & more! Historic Downtown. On Hwy 290, just 19 miles east of Austin. mailto:hogeye@ci.elgin.tx.us   (512) 285-5721. www.hogeyefestival.com.

  October 28–29 - Gruene Historic District / New Braunfels
25th ANNUAL TEXAS CLAY FEST... Respected potters and 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.   v