SEPTEMBER

  September 26 - Hallettsville
HALLETTSVILLE KOLACHE FEST... Enjoy a downtown parade, kolache presentation & eating contest, “42” domino tournament, classic cars, bike show, arts & crafts, Czech & German foods, live entertainment, biergarten, children’s activities & more! Held at KC Hall. www.hallettsville.com. (361) 798-2662.

  September 26 - Lakehills
35th ANNUAL MEDINA LAKE CAJUN FESTIVAL... “Home of the Great Gumbo Cook-off.” Saturday, 11am to 10pm. Cajun and Zydeco bands on 2 stages, Great Gumbo Cook-off, authentic homemade Cajun foods, arts and crafts, games and more. Lakehills Civic Center in Bandera County, 25 miles from San Antonio. www.cajunfestival-medinalake.com. (830) 751-3130.

OCTOBER

  October 8–11 - Houston
37th ANNUAL FESTA ITALIANA... The Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston brings culture to life at its weekend celebration of Italy! Enjoy music, homemade Italian food and wine, pasta-eating contest, bocce ball & I Madonnari competitions, wine tasting, grape stomp, children’s events, arts/crafts, cooking demos & more. University of St. Thomas at Montrose Blvd. For more info, visit www.HoustonItalianFestival.com.  

  October 9–11 - Conroe
26th CONROE CAJUN CATFISH FESTIVAL ... Enjoy three days of fun, music and food! Music on four stages includes Texas Music, Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and Country. Also enjoy a carnival, children’s village with pony rides, petting zoo, games and children’s stage. Come to the Downtown Square for great festival foods--catfish, boudain, crawfish etouffee, fried alligator and more. (936) 539-6009. www.conroecajuncatfishfestival.com.

  October 11 - Castroville
HERITAGE DAY AT MOYE RETREAT CENTER... Sunday 11am-3pm. A day of celebration, bar-b-que chicken plates, children’s activities including games & pony rides, arts and crafts, silent auction and quilt raffle. FREE live entertainment! (830) 931-2233. Follow us at Facebook.com/ MoyeCenter.  www.moyecenter.org.

  October 16-18 - San Antonio
GREEK FUNSTIVAL... Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church hosts its annual Greek festival with lively dancers, a colorful Greek marketplace, tasty Greek wines & a variety of sumptuous Greek dishes. For more information: (210) 735-5051.

  October 17 - La Marque
BAYOU FEST... Festivities include a BBQ cook-off, arts and crafts, children’s fishing tournament, pumpkin patch and more. Enjoy great live musical entertainment, including The Bellamy Brothers, Johnny Lee, and Pee Wee Bowen Band. Held at Highland Bayou Park. FREE. 8:30am-10pm. For more info: (409) 935-1408 or (877) 986-8719. www.texascitychamber.com.

  October 17–18 - Houston
WINGS OVER HOUSTON AIRSHOW... The 31st Annual CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow features two high performance jet teams; the U.S.A.F. Thunder-birds and the Breitling Jet Demonstration team; also top tier civilian performers and WWII battle reenactments, Kids Zone. A great event for the entire family! Ellington Airport. (713) 266-4492. For tickets, visit www.wingsoverhouston.com.

  October 23–24 - Galveston
34th ISLAND OKTOBERFEST... Galveston’s premier family fall event featuring continuous live entertainment, authentic German food & libations, kid’s activities—including events by Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo volunteers, quality arts/crafts, and more. German costumes encouraged. No pets. Held on grounds & streets adjacent to First Lutheran Church, 24th & Winnie. Free admission. www.galvestonoktoberfest.com. (409) 762-8477.

  October 24 - Carrizo Springs
3rd ANNUAL CANCER WALK AND BBQ COOK-OFF...  Walk begins at 8am - $25.00 registration fee includes T-Shirt. BBQ Cook-off for the title of Dimmit County Pit Master with five categories. Entry fee for team of six is $150. Music throughout the day, with main event head-liner Tejano legend David Marez at 9pm. Held at Dimmit County Arena & Fairgrounds. (830) 876-5205.

  October 24–25 - Seguin
PECAN FEST HERITAGE DAYS... Go nuts! It’s one big party including the wine & beer garden, Hat Parade, music, pumpkin patch, museum and ghost tours, quilt & pottery shows, bike ride, pecan pie contest, arts & crafts, pecan treats, street dance, gunslingers, car show and more. www.SeguinGoNuts.com. 800-580-7322 or (830) 401-0810.

NOVEMBER

  November 1 - Port Isabel
22nd WORLD’S CHAMPIONSHIP SHRIMP COOK-OFF... Sunday. Awards in both professional & amateur divisions with contestants from both sides of the border. Also in conjunction, a Folk Art Festival & Mini Carnival with all types of arts & crafts for sale and fun for all. (800) 527-6102.

  November 7 - George West
27th ANNUAL GEORGE WEST STORYFEST... “The Storytelling Capital of Texas” presents tall tales, cowboy poetry, Texas State Liars’ Contest, classic car show, folklore & ghost stories, live music, living history, arts/crafts, children’s activities, 5K race & 1-mile fun walk at the Courthouse Square. www.georgeweststoryfest.org. (361) 449-2481.

  November 7 - Angleton
AUSTIN TOWN HISTORICAL REENACTMENT... Celebrating the lives of those pioneers who settled Colonial Texas. The fictitious “Austin Town” features interpreters, period craft demonstrators, sutlers, militia drill units, historical reenactments, and period games. Presented by Brazoria County Historical Museum. In its 19th year! www.bchm.org. (979) 864-1208.

  November 7 - San Felipe
HERITAGE CELEBRATION... The San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site presents a birthday celebration for Stephen F. Austin, “The Father of Texas”. Enjoy heritage pro-grams, reenactments, entertainment & food. 9am-5pm. Call for more information: (979) 885-2181, www.visitsanfelipedeaustin.com and (877) 558-7245.

  November 7 - Devine
55th FALL FESTIVAL & AVACADO SHOWCASE... Wonderful hometown festivities include a 10am Parade, Avocado cooking contest, Avocado Seed Spitting contest, arts/crafts & food booths, kid’s coloring contest, Scarecrow contest and free evening street dance. Great entertainment all day, 11:30-midnight with Billy & the Bailouts, Chris Salinas, Matt Hawke, and Jeremy Richards. (830) 663-2739. www.devinechamber.com.

DECEMBER

  December 5–6 - Cypress
20th CY-FAIR FFA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW... Held at the Cy-Fair Exhibit Center, 11206 Telge Road, off Hwy 290.  Sat., Dec. 5th 9am-5pm and Sun, Dec. 6th 10am-4pm.  160 indoor exhibitor spaces (10x10) at $110 and 20 out-door spaces at $100.  Please visit vendor page at www.cyfaircountrychristmas.org or email vendor.info@cyfaircountrychristmas.org.

  December 5–6 - Cypress
CY-FAIR FFA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW… A wide array of original hand-crafted artworks. 11206 Telge Road, off Hwy 290. Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. 160 indoor exhibitor spaces (10x10) at $110 and 20 outdoor at $100. Cy-Fair Exhibit Center. www.cyfaircountrychristmas.org.

  December 5 & Dec 11–12 - Gonzales
PIONEER VILLAGE LIVING HISTORY CENTER’S  “STARS IN THE VILLAGE”... Visit homes dressed in Christmas finery of yesteryear, watch crafts-men demonstrate pioneer skills, taste good foods, and listen to wonderful music. Gates open 6am-5pm. One mile north of court-house on Business 183N. For additional information: (830) 672-2157.   v