MARCH

  March 8–10 - Buna
46th ANNUAL BUNA REDBUD FESTIVAL… Anticipated to be the most spectacular Redbud Festival since its inception 46 years ago! Buna's annual celebration has a parade, arts & crafts booths, musical entertainment, carnival rides & great food. Carnival opens March 8, 9 & 10. Buna Chamber of Commerce office hours 9-noon: (409) 994-5586.

  March 16– April 1 - Tyler
59th AZALEA & SPRING FLOWER TRAIL... Enjoy over ten miles of flowering gardens & beautiful historic homes in the Azalea & Brick Street Districts. Other events include historic home tours, art & flower shows, living history tours, ‘Spirits of Oakwood’ tours, Artisans & Flower Market, Arts & Crafts Fair and more! 1-800-235-5712 or www.VisitTyler.com for more information.

APRIL

  April 19–21 - Kirbyville
MAGNOLIA FESTIVAL... Come to beautifully-forested East Texas the third weekend in April to enjoy Kirbyville's hometown parade, carnival, entertainment, pet show, music, auction and arts & crafts at Magnolia Park. (409) 423-6500.

  April 20–22 - Dayton
DAYTON OLE TYME DAYS... Enjoy a BBQ Cook-off, Junior Chili Cook-off, indoor & outdoor arts/crafts booths, pageant, car show, antique tractor show & more. FREE admission. Events return to Downtown Dayton this year. www.daytonoletymedays.com. (936) 402-2419.

MAY

  May 3–6 - Jefferson
71st ANNUAL JEFFERSON HISTORICAL PILGRIMAGE… Celebrate Spring with a tour of historic homes hosted by Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club on Friday & Saturday. Also take a trip back to the 1860s at the infamous Diamond Bessie Murder Trial, plus Pilgrimage Parade, town skirmish, salad buffet luncheon at Excelsior House Hotel and Jay Gould’s private rail car tour. jeffersonpilgrimage@gmail.com. (903) 452-3836.

  May 18–20 - Huntsville
31st GENERAL SAM HOUSTON FOLK FESTIVAL... The Sam Houston Memorial Museum's 15-acre grounds are transformed into a bustling frontier settlement. Watch historical re-enactments & demonstrators, listen to live music, sip homemade root beer, share kettle corn, shop for crafts or stroll Sam's original homestead. Includes 19th Annual Texas State Knife & Tomahawk Championship. www.GSHFF.com. (936) 294-1832.

JUNE

  June 9 - Jacksonville
34th TOMATO FEST... Enjoy many tomato activities, including Salsa Contest, Tomato Eating Contest, Tomato Peeling Contest.  Other activities include 200 vendors, Got Talent Contest, Chili's Street Dance, Entertainment, History Display, Farmer's Market, Gospel Concert, Soccer/Tennis Tournaments and lots more. Free admission. Contact Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce:  (903) 586-2217 or www.jacksonvilletexas.com.

  June 9 - Nacogdoches
TEXAS BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL… The largest producer of blueberries in Texas presents a blueberry pancake breakfast, kid’s water park, arts & crafts, farm-fresh blueberries for sale, blueberry farm tours, Festival of Quilts, car show, live musical entertainment, and family fun downtown. Presented by Tipton Ford-Lincoln. (936) 560-5533. www.TexasBlueberryFestival.com.

JULY

  July 27–29 - Longview
41st ANNUAL GREAT TEXAS BALLOON RACE... The largest sanctioned hot air balloon race in Texas features 3 early morning competitions, state championships, 2 evening balloon glows with 70 balloons, nightly concerts, arts, crafts, food and KIDS LAND. Held at the East Texas Regional Airport in Longview, Texas. Visitors event information: 903-753-3281. www.GreatTexasBalloonRace.com.   v