MARCH

  March 21–29, 2014 - Eagle Pass
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP FESTIVAL... This celebrated border festival presents carnival rides at Shelby Park, sporting events, downtown parade, Noches Mexicanas with live entertainment, and a variety of food & other booths at Shelby Park. Toll free 1-888-355-3224.

  March 21–22 - Pleasanton
4TH ANNUAL TURN-N-BURN BBQ COOK-OFF… Friday night dance by Gabe Garcia & Rick Trevino. Cooks display their talents Saturday trying to win a share of the biggest payout in Texas. Team ropers also compete for top honors. Enjoy another great dance Saturday night with Rodney Hayden & Earl Thomas Conley. Held at Atascosa County Showbarn behind Chili’s. Visit www.turnnburncookoff.com for entry forms & details.

  March 22 - Weslaco
TEXAS ONION FEST... Saluting the Texas Sweet Onion developed in Weslaco. Features an onion-eating contest, musical entertainment, dancing horse shows, arts & crafts, car show, children’s events, culinary stage, kiddie rides, and an onion recipe contest at Weslaco City Park. (956) 968-2102. www.weslaco.com/onionfest.

  March 28, 29 & 30 - Tomball
13th ANNUAL GERMAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL... Celebrate German Oktober-Fest in March with 175 street vendors, arts and crafts, 5 stages of live music, carnival, antique shops, food, beer and more in Old Downtown Tomball. Free admission & free parking. www.tomballsistercity.org. Vendors welcome! Grady Martin (281) 379-6844 or gradsand@yahoo.com.

APRIL

  April 4–5 - Ingleside
ROUND-UP DAYS FESTIVAL... This hometown event takes place in the middle of town and right off the highway at N. O. Simmons Park! Help us celebrate with a parade, awesome live music, carnival and contests galore! Also seeking vendors. For more information:  www.inglesidetxchamber.org; (888) 899-2906; or ingchamber2@cableone.net.

  April 4–6 - Poteet
67th ANNUAL POTEET STRAW-BERRY FESTIVAL... Includes 14 areas of continuous family entertainment, featuring Randy Rogers and Intocable in concert, nightly dances, specialty acts, rodeo, children’s area, carnival, arts and crafts and delicious food. (888) 742-8144.

  April 11–13 - Port Aransas
TEXAS SANDFEST... One of the largest Master Sand Sculpting Competitions in the USA! Amateurs & families participate in open competitions. Enjoy the invigorating sun and surf and spend the weekend enjoying great food, accommodations, entertainment and island shops of all kinds. More than 100,000 attendees enjoy Texas Island Style! 1-800-45-COAST. www.portaransas.org.

  April 12-13 - Lake Jackson
MIGRATION CELEBRATION... Celebrate birding with seminars, nature tours, and a spectacular Birds of Prey show, as more than 600 species of springtime birds migrate through-out the Brazosport coastal area. (866) 403-5829. www.migrationcelebration.org.

  April 25–26 - La Porte
58th ANNUAL SYLVAN BEACH FESTIVAL... Experience arts and crafts, carnival rides, pageants, a parade, live entertainment and kid’s events. Historical Sylvan Beach Park on scenic Galveston Bay. Park opens 9am. www.laportechamber.org. (281) 471-1123.

  April 25–26 - Bishop
WILD HORSE DESERT ROUND-UP ...IBCA Sanctioned Texas State Championship BBQ Cook-off, 5K Run/2-mile Walk, rides, vendors, baseball, silent auction, live music, dancing, beer garden, bingo & children’s activities. For more info: www.bishoptx100.org; bishopchamberofcomm@stx.rr.com; or www.bishoptx.com.

  April 26 - Ingleside
INGLESIDE CAR SHOW... “Cruise Your Ride to Ingleside” Car Show at N. O. Simmons Park. FREE admission and fun for the kids! On-site check-in & registration 8am-11am. Judging 11am-3pm. Trophies presented at 4pm. All trucks, cars & motorcycles are welcome. Vendors wanted. For info & pre-registration: www.inglesidetxchamber.org. (888) 899-2906. E-mail: ingchamber1@cableone.net.  (361) 776-2906.

  April 26 - La Porte
SAN JACINTO DAY FESTIVAL AND BATTLE REENACTMENT... This year celebrates the 178th anniversary of one of the most exciting and significant Texas History events. Enjoy family entertainment, living history demonstrations, children’s area and Texas-themed vendors. Free to the public. Open 10am to 6pm. At La Porte near Houston. www.sanjacinto-museum.org.

  April 26 - Carrizo Springs
8th ANNUAL BULL-NANZA... Honoring Volunteer Firefighters with this 8th Annual Bull Riding event. Experience boot scramble for kids, great bull riding thrills, food vendors and dancing to live Country and Tejano music. Gates open at 5pm; Bullride begins at 7pm. Carrizo Springs Rodeo Arena. For info, call (830) 876-5205.

MAY

  May 16–18 - Pasadena
41st PASADENA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL... Enjoy three days of fabulous fun at the Pasadena Fairgrounds with dozens of attractions, carnival rides, musical stage entertainment, pageants, children’s activities, cook-offs, wine tastings, vendors, tournaments, foods & much more. Free parking & shuttle bus. RV hook-ups & camping available. www.strawberryfest.org. (281) 991-9500.

  May 17 - Wharton
WHARTON COUNTY FREEDOM FEST... Enjoy a pre-Memorial Day celebration with an open car show, zydeco music, crawfish, laser light show, street dance, Tail-gate cook-off, Veterans Salute & more. Held at downtown’s Monterey Park, 100 S. Fulton St., noon to 10pm. For more information: www.whartontexas.com or (979) 532-1862.

  May 24–25 - Rockport
18th ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF WINE & FOOD... The Texas Maritime Museum hosts wine tasting, wine seminars, fine foods, and entertainment on the Museum grounds. Hours: 4pm-11pm both days. For more info: (361) 729-1271 or 1-866-729-AHOY; www.texasmaritimemuseum.org; or www.texasfestivalofwines.com.

  May 30–31 - Texas City
FUNFEST...  There’s fun for everyone in Texas City! Enjoy arts and crafts, BBQ cook-off, Run By the Bay 5K & 10K & Kids-K, children’s activities, Car Cruise ‘In, food, live entertainment and much more! Carlos Garza Sports Complex, 33rd & Magnolia. (409) 935-1408. www.texascitychamber.com.

JUNE

  June 7–9 - San Antonio
TEXAS FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL... A Texas tradition for 43 years, the Institute of Texan Cultures presents 250 cultural organizations, a menu of 150 authentic foods, 65 artisans and craftsmen, and 7 stages of music and entertainment representing the diversity of our state. For more info: (210) 458-2300. www.TexasFolklifeFestival.org.

  June 14 - East Bernard
CZECH KOLACHE-KLOBASE FESTIVAL... Come to Riverside Hall for polka dancing, arts & crafts, sausage and barbecue chicken, kiddie games, dancers, raffle & cakewalk. For details, call (979) 531-9747 or (979) 335-7907.

  June 14 - Wharton
JAMES R. SIMMONS’ JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION... Family Day Parade, live music, free carnival and festivities on downtown’s Monterey Square, 100 S. Fulton St. For more information: (979) 532-1862 or helpdesk@whartonchamber.com.

  June 20–21 - Wharton
WHARTON CITYWIDE GARAGE SALE... Friday/Saturday. Maps available at each location or website www.whartontexas.com.  Look for the official red & white signs! Local merchants will participate, so remember to shop with them too! For more info: (979) 532-1862 or helpdesk@whartonchamber.com.

  June 21–22 - Sealy
KC JUNE MUSIC FESTIVAL... This summer classic is great for the whole family. Enjoy country and German polka dancing & music with bands Al Sulak & Country Sounds, Red Ravens, Czech & Then Some, and Central Texas Sounds. Don’t forget the great food! For info: (979) 885-6786 or www.VisitSealy.com.

JULY

  July 10–13 - Sealy
SEALYBRATION... Family activities, arts & crafts booths, carnival, street dance, BBQ cook-off, slow-pitch/softball tournaments, and live main stage entertainment. Admission. For info: www.Sealycommunityfoundation.org or (877) 558-7245.

OCTOBER

  October 11 - Wharton
MONTEREY SQUARE WINE AND ARTS FAIR... Sip , shop and stroll with us, 4pm-10pm in Historic Downtown. Live Music —Wine Tastings—Artworks Show—Great Food! For more info: www.whartontexas.com or helpdesk@whartonchamber.com. (979) 532-1862.

  October 24–25 - Pleasanton
49th ANNUAL COWBOY HOMECOMING...