MARCH

  March 17–20 – Shamrock
70th ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION... Salute the Irish in Shamrock with the Donegal beard-growing contest, carnival rides, parade, arts and crafts, rodeo events, Miss Irish Rose pageant, motorcycle rally, Lad and Lassie contest, and a dance. For details, call (806) 256-2501.

APRIL

  April 16–17 – 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 29–30 & May 1 – 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 & dinner, wine-tasting, music, classic car show, team-roping competition, ranch rodeo, 5K Run, cowboy church, pony rides & games, and a hot air balloon rally. www.ci.lamesa.tx.us . (806) 777-1171.

MAY

  May 6-8 – Midland
33rd ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS... “I’ve Got the World on a String!” 65 visual artists in a juried show indoors, pet parade, interactive arts experiences, festival refreshments & more! Held at Horseshoe Arena & Pavilion. For information: info@acmidland.org, (432) 687-1149, or www.acmidland.org.

JUNE

  June 3–4 – Haskell
WILD HORSE PRAIRIE DAYS... Western musical entertainers, ranch rodeo, parade, ranch horse competition, kids’ rodeo, BBQ cook-off, dance, trade show, cutting horse contest and cowboy church service at Haskell Rodeo Grounds at Civic Center. (940) 864-2477. www.haskelltexasusa.com. 

  June 16–18 & June 23–25 – Albany
78th ANNUAL FORT GRIFFIN FANDANGLE... Recapturing wild characters of the old west through a grand story, plus singing, dancing, horses and a herd of longhorns. Presented in a renowned amphitheater production, “Texas’ Oldest Outdoor Musical” features a local 400-member musical cast. Enjoy other free activities all day. Parade Saturday at 5pm & BBQ nightly at 5pm. For more information, email: fandangle@bitstreet.com, or visit www.fortgriffinfandangle.org. For tickets, call (325) 762-3838.

JULY

  July 2 – Odessa
FIRECRACKER FANDANGO... Celebrate Independence Day with Main Street Odessa!  Enjoy food vendors, children’s activities, fun fireworks, great musical stage entertainment, and much more. Experience fun for the entire family! (432)335-4682.  v