Hill Country spring festivals set to delight visitors, locals
Make sure your cell phone is charged, pack a few cool, casual duds, make room on the weekends and you’re ready to enjoy the best of the Texas Hill Country’s spring festivals.
But before leaving your driveway — and especially if you enjoy photography, grab your camera. Between now and May 31, submit your best shots for the annual Hill Country Alliance (HCA) photo contest. Be featured in the 2018 Texas Hill Country calendar. Free participation. For information, call Shannon Chambers at 512-263-9147 or email shannon@hillcountryalliance.org.
Celebrate Texas Independence at San Saba’s annual celebration at Mill Pond Park on March 3, from 6-8 p.m. Enjoy a museum tour, actors in period costumes, a campfire supper and fireworks. It benefits the museum. Visit sansabamuseum.org or call 325-372-5238.
Don’t miss the annual Llano Earth Art Fest, March 9-12, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. It features music, art, performances, parties, camping, workshops, vendors. Includes a National Rock Stacking Competition. For further details, call the Llano Chamber, 325-247-5354 or visit www. llanochamber.org.
Concan’s Rio Frio Fest, March 14-17, gets bigger and better every spring break. Plan on people, live music, cook-offs, games, carnival on the river and camping at the Frio Concert Grounds. For more, visit www.riofriofest.com.
The town of Brady will host the Heart of Texas Country Music Festival, March 16-24, at Ed Davenport Civic Center. Multiple shows offer a great time for fans of traditional country music. For information, call Jennifer Pearman, 803-629-4823 or go to www.bradytx.com.
Want to be mayor-for-aday of Luckenbach? Then bring your campaign signs to Luckenbach, March 17, for the Mud Dauber Festival and Chili Fest. This annual event is a parody on electing a Mayor of Luckenbach, who serves just one day. Anyone from anywhere can vote on Election Day. For more information, go to www. luckenbachtexas.com.
A coalition of Porsche enthusiasts, including some Porsche Club of America’s members, the Lone Star 912 and the Early S registry have been gathering in the Texas Hill Country for more than 10 years for the Vintage Porsche Rallye, March 22-25 in Kerrville. Call 512-422-0234 or email larson@hotmail.com.
March 22-25, head to Bandara’s Mansfield Park for the annual Thunder in the Hills event, including camping, poker run, door prizes, vendors, food, field events, live music, bike show and a tattoo contest. For information, call 936776-1699 or visit www.bandaracowboycapital.com.
On Saturday, March 24, cyclists will want to try the LBJ 100 Bicycle Ride, beginning at 9 a.m. at LBJ National Historical Park, at the LBJ Ranch, 144 Park Road 49 in Stonewall. On-site registration (cash or check only) and packet pick-up at the registration tent on the LBJ air strip, beginning 7 a.m. Pre-registration and information: www.lbj100. bike/about/html. For information, call 210-355-2645.
No spring in Hill Country would be complete without a Bluebonnet Festival and that’s what you’ll find April 13-15 in downtown Burnet’s square. More than 200 vendors open Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. See the air show, rubber ducky races, parade,
live music, street dances, carnival, kids’ activities, wiener dog races, doghouse races, free chuck wagon breakfast Sunday morning, and more. For information, email tammy@burnetchamber.org.
Model Railroaders will love New Braunfels’ Model Railroad Train Show Jamboree, Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, April 15, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Civic Center, exit 185 off I-35. Admission: $8 adults, $2 per child (5-17). Call Jim Edmondson, 830-629-2071.
The Blanco Lavender Festival, June 8-10, provides everything lavender and then some. Held in the Courthouse Square in Blanco, it includes vendors, displays, tours of lavender fields and a well-rounded education about lavender. For information, call 830-833-5101 or visit www. blancolavenderfest.com.