MARCH

  March 13–14 - Pleasanton
4TH ANNUAL TURN-N-BURN BBQ COOK-OFF… Friday night dance by Rodney Hayden, Pear Ratz and The Bellamy Brothers. Cooks display their talents Saturday trying to win a share of the biggest payout in Texas. Enjoy another great dance Saturday night with Rodney Hayden & Aaron Watson. Pleasanton River Park downtown. For entry forms & details, visit www.pleasantoncoc.com, or call the Chamber of Commerce (830) 569-2163.

  March 20–29 - 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 and other booths at Shelby Park. Toll free 1-888-355-3224.

  March 27, 28, 29 - Tomball
14th ANNUAL GERMAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL... Celebrate German OktoberFest in March with 150 street vendors, arts/crafts, 4 stages of live music, carnival, fireworks, antique shops, food, beer, bike rally & more in Old Down-town. Free admission/parking. Free shuttles from 1200 W. Main. Sponsored by Tomball Sister City Org. www.tomballsistercity.org. Vendors welcome! Grady Martin (281) 379-6844. gradsand@yahoo.com.

  March 28 - 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 onion recipe contest at Weslaco City Park. (956) 968-2102. www.weslaco.com/onionfest.

  March 28 - Beeville
MARKET & MAIN DAYS... Beeville Main Street hosts this  Market Days event in connection with the Texas Mile Event, which  is coming back to Beeville March 27-29, bringing in 5,700 spectators and participants. Main Street has organized activities, shopping attractions and incentives for families during their stay. Also seeking vendors that craft, design or grow their own goods. (361) 358-4641.

APRIL

  April 10,11,12 - Poteet
68th POTEET STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL... Includes 14 areas of continuous family entertainment, featuring Josh Abbott and Ramon Ayala in concert, nightly dances, specialty acts, rodeo, children’s area, carnival, arts/crafts & delicious food. (888) 742-8144.

  April 18 - La Porte
SAN JACINTO DAY FESTIVAL AND BATTLE REENACTMENT... This year celebrates the 179th 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 18–19 - Lake Jackson
MIGRATION CELEBRATION... Celebrate birding with seminars, nature tours, and a spectacular Birds of Prey show, as more than 600 species of spring- time birds migrate throughout the Brazosport coastal area. (866) 403-5829. www.migrationcelebration.org.

  April 24–25 - La Porte
59th 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 24-26- 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 & 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! www.portaransas.org. 1-800-45-COAST.

  April 24–26 & May 1–3 - Old Town Spring
 29th TEXAS CRAWFISH & MUSIC FESTIVAL... Enjoy a grand Cajun heaven with “tons” of crawfish served up with a wide variety of continuous musical entertainment, carnival rides, games, arts & crafts, and 150 permanent village shops and venues. Old Town Spring and Preservation Park, located 20 miles north of Houston. (281) 353-9310. www.oldtownspring.com.

  April 23–May 3 - Corpus Christi
BUCCANEER DAYS... A swashbuckling good time! Fun & festivities for everyone. Pro PRCA Tour Rodeo, Carnival, Parades, BBQ & more! Visit us at www.bucdays.com for more information.

  April 25 - Carrizo Springs
9th ANNUAL BULL-NANZA... Honoring Law Enforcement Officers with this 9th Annual Bull Riding event. Experience great bull riding thrills, a 6pm mutton bustin’ & boot scramble for kids, 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 15–17 - Pasadena
42nd 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 23–24 - Rockport
19th ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF WINE & FOOD... The Texas Maritime Museum hosts wine tasting, wine seminars, fine foods, and entertainment on the Museum grounds. 4pm to 11pm both days. Visit www.texasmaritimemuseum.org or www.texasfestivalofwines.com. (361) 729-1271 or 1-866-729-AHOY. 

  May 29–30 - Texas City
FUNFEST... There’s fun for everyone in Texas City! Enjoy arts & crafts, BBQ cook-off, Super Heroes Run By the Bay 5K/10K/Kids-K, children’s activities, food, Friday night live entertainment and much more! In its 28th year! Carlos Garza Sports Complex, 33rd & Magnolia. (409) 935-1408. www.texascitychamber.com.

JUNE

  June 13 - East Bernard
CZECH KOLACHE-KLOBASE FESTIVAL... Come to Riverside Hall for polka dancing, arts and crafts, sausage and barbecue chicken, kiddie games, dancers, raffle and cakewalk. (979) 531-9747 or (979) 335-7907.

  June 13–14 - San Antonio
TEXAS FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL... A Texas tradition for 44 years, the Institute of Texan Cultures presents 250 cultural organizations, a menu of 150 authentic foods, 65 artisans & craftsmen, and 7 stages of music & entertainment representing the diversity of our state. (210) 458-2300. www.TexasFolklifeFestival.org.

  June 18–20 - Stockdale
71st ANNUAL STOCKDALE WATERMELON JUBILEE...