SEPTEMBER

  September 22 - Lakehills
38th 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 & crafts, games and more. Lakehills Civic Center in Bandera County, 25 miles from San Antonio. www.cajunfestival-medinalake.com . (830) 751-3130.

OCTOBER

  October 11–14 - Houston
40th 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 & wine, pasta-eating contest, wine tasting, grape stomp, children's events, arts/crafts & more. University of St. Thomas at Montrose Blvd. www.HoustonItalianFestival.com.

  October 12–20 - Angleton
BRAZORIA FAT STOCK SHOW & COUNTY FAIR... "The Largest County Fair in Texas" features livestock exhibits, crafts, concerts, entertainment, CPRA rodeo finals, contests, carnival and foods, and much more! Brazoria County Fairgrounds, Angleton TX 77515. www.bcfa.org. (979) 849-6416.

  October 20 - La Marque
BAYOU FEST... Celebrate with marvelous food and great musical entertainment by Clay Walker, Pee Wee Bowen Band and other concerts. Also enjoy BBQ cook-off, arts/crafts, kid's activities & fishing tournament, pumpkin patch & decorating, vendors and fireworks. Free Admission 8am-10pm. Highland Bayou Park. (409) 935-1408. www.tclmchamber.com.

  October 20–21 - Houston 
WINGS OVER HOUSTON AIRSHOW... The 34th Annual CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow features the US Navy Blue Angels, stunt planes, WWII warbird demos, skydiving, Kids Zone, Tora! Tora! Tora!, reenactments & more. A great event for the entire family! Ellington Airport. Tickets at www.wingsoverhouston.com. 1-888-4FLYSHOW.

NOVEMBER

  November 3 - Port Isabel
25th ANNUAL WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP SHRIMP COOK-OFF... Saturday. Awards in both professional & amateur  divisions with contestants from both sides of the border. Also in conjunction, and a Folk Art Festival with all types of arts & crafts for sale & fun for all. (800) 527-6102.

  November 3 - Angleton
AUSTIN TOWN HISTORICAL REENACTMENT... Celebrating the lives of those pioneers who settled Colonial Texas. "Austin Town" features interpreters, period craft demonstrators, sutlers, historical reenactments and period games. Presented by Brazoria County Historical Museum. In its 22nd year! www.bchm.org. (979) 864-1208.

  November 3 - George West
30th 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 at the Courthouse Square. www.georgeweststoryfest.org. (361) 449-2481.

DECEMBER

  December 7–8 - Hondo
CHRISTMAS IN GOD'S COUNTRY... Play in REAL SNOW, and celebrate a Hometown Holiday in Downtown Hondo. Friday evening presents a Snow Play Area, Pictures with Santa, Food Trucks and more. Come back Saturday for a day of shopping, and watch our Lighted Christmas Parade that evening. (830) 426-3037. www.hondochamber.org..  v