MARCH

  March 14–16 - Shamrock
68th ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION... Salute the Irish in Sham-rock with the Donegal beard-growing contest, carnival rides, parade, arts & crafts, rodeo events, Miss Irish Rose pageant, motorcycle rally, Lad & Lassie contest & dance. (806) 256-2501.

  March 28–30 - Abilene
OUTLAWS & LEGENDS… As “the biggest one stage event in Texas” with an outstanding lineup that includes: Leon Russell, Robert Earl Keen, Gary P. Nunn, Billy Joe Shaver, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Tommy Alverson & more. (325) 518-9977. www.outlawsandlegends.com.

APRIL

  April 4–5 - Midland
31st ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS... Are you Mad for the Arts? This event is set in Midland’s Downtown and Centennial Plaza. 65 Visual Artists in juried show indoors, outdoor entertainment, Pet Parade, interactive arts experiences, festival refreshments & more. For additional information:  info@acmidland.org, (432) 687-1149, or www.acmidland.org.

  April 11-13 - Lubbock
LUBBOCK ARTS FESTIVAL... Enjoy the largest fine arts and crafts event in West Texas! Festival presents visual art, music, theater, dance, and children’s activities. Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. (806) 744-2787.

  April 23–26 - Fort Stockton
BIG BEND OPEN ROAD RACE... “The most challenging Open Road Race in the World” takes place as a round-trip from Fort Stockton to Sanderson and back, with top racers regularly breaking 200 mph. Enjoy public viewings, live entertainment, parade, car shows, awards banquet & start/finish line excitement. www.bborr.com  (877) 336-8525.

  April 25–27 - Buffalo Gap
10th ANNUAL WINE & FOOD SUMMIT ...Perini Ranch hosts a celebration of open-air barbecue and Malbec wines when it welcomes celebrity chef Stephan Pyles from Texas and Francis Mallmann of Argentina. For tickets and more info, visit www.buffalogapsummit.com, or call (800) 367-1721.

  April 25–26 - Ballinger
TEXAS STATE FESTIVAL OF ETHNIC CULTURES... Join in this multicultural celebration with ethnic foods, arts and crafts, music, children’s events, bike festival and the Miss Ballinger pageant at the county courthouse grounds. (325) 365-2333.

  April 25–27 - Lamesa
CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK FESTIVAL & CROSSROADS BALLOON RALLY ... Declared the “Legendary Home of the Chicken-Fried Steak” by the Texas Legislature, Lamesa celebrates in Forrest Park with a chicken-fried steak cook-off and dinner, wine-tasting, music, classic car show, team-roping competition, ranch rodeo, 5K Run, cowboy church, pony rides and games, and a hot air balloon rally. www.ci.lamesa.tx.us. (806) 777-1171.

MAY

  May 3 - Sonora
SONORA CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA... Enjoy arts & crafts booths, dancing under the stars, children’s rides, food booths, and entertainment. 10am-5pm. Sponsored by Viva Sonora. For more info: www.sonoratexas.org, 1-888-387-2880 or (325) 387-2880.

  May 8–10 - Midland/Odessa
5th ANNUAL CRUDEFEST TEXAS MUSIC FESTIVAL… The biggest oil & gas celebration of its kind features over 20 bands, 1000 campsites and 3 days of real Texas music. Enjoy such bands as Johnny Cooper, Larry Joe Taylor, Roger Creager, Josh Abbott, Cory Morrow, Aaron Watson, Casey Donahew Band and more, plus a Championship Cook-off of brisket, pork spare ribs, chicken, beans and margaritas. www.thecrudefest.com.

JUNE

  June 6, 13, 20, 27 and July 11, 18, 25 and August 1 - Odessa
HOT SUMMER NIGHTS IN ODESSA... 10th Anniversary season featuring favorite musical groups playing jazz to polka, Texas swing to big band classics, Tejano to country—a different musical journey every Friday night. Downtown Odessa’s Noel Heritage Park (5th & Sam Houston St.). Free admission. Sponsor: Odessa Council for Arts & Humanities and Main Street Odessa. (432) 337-1492. www.odessaarts.org.

  June 6–7 - Haskell
WILD HORSE PRAIRIE DAYS... Western musical entertainers, ranch rodeo, parade, ranch horse competition, dance, kids’ rodeo, trade show, cutting horse contest and cow-boy church service at Haskell Rodeo Grounds at Civic Center. www.haskelltxchamber.com. (940) 864-2477.

  June 10–14 - Snyder
WEST TEXAS WESTERN SWING FESTIVAL... Hear the “best of the best” western swing musicians at this annual gathering, including Jody Nix, Kelly Spinks, Tommy Hooker, Bobby Flores, Leon Rausch, Eddie McAlvain, Justin Trevino & many more. The Coliseum. (325) 573-3558. Visit www.snyderchamber.org for more info.

  June 27– 28 - Sonora
41st ANNUAL OUTLAW PRO RODEO & SUTTON COUNTY DAYS...