Texas Hill Country slates festivals
Even the most knowledgeable horticulturalists can’t decide how this winter’s unusual cold will impact the Texas Hill Country’s usual rainbow of wildflowers, but that’s no reason not to hit the road for this year’s bouquet of spring festivals.
Texas now has 37-plus wineries, moving Texas into the top five grape and wine producers in the country. The Wine and Wildflowers Wine Trail is scheduled April 4-20 and provides a great way to sample primo vintages. Visit texaswinetrail.com.
You’ll also find loads of wildlife, exotic birds, quaint roadside stands, delicious cuisine and the most amazing talent the Lone Star State has to offer. The air is sweet, the smiles infectious and, as usual, the Hill Country’s welcome mat is always out.
Just outside of Brenham, the Chappell Hill Historical Society will celebrate the 50th year of its annual Bluebonnet Festival, April 12 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival boasts more than 250 juried exhibitors, food, live entertainment, music and tours of the historic community. The festival was declared the “official Bluebonnet festival of Texas” by the Legislature.
The National Museum of the Pacific in Fredericksburg schedules many interesting and informational exhibits and events. March 7 features a WWII Field Kitchen Exhibit that teaches how troops were fed on the front lines. The following day, Pacific Combat reenactments will be presented. Both events are free. Visit www.pacificwarmuseum.org
Next stop: Junction. It’s just off I-10 where the North and South Llano Rivers converge and is known as a year-round hunter’s paradise, but there’s also tubing, fly fishing and kayaking. Across Junction, you can observe more than 150 species of birds and birders have documented sightings of the BlackCapped Vireo and other endangered species.
During spring, festivals and fun events abound, including a welcoming party on the courthouse square for the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Run when it roars into Junc-
tion on March 10.
Runners, a great place to warm up for this year’s racing season is Junction’s 5K Run, March 15, beginning at the Texas Tech — Junction campus with an easy loop around the community. The $10 entry fee benefits Junction Senior Center.
The 80th annual Junction Rodeo and Dance, begun by some of the area’s earliest settlers, will take place Aug. 8-9. “We’re also hosting the 60th anniversary Celebration of Coach Bear Bryant’s Junction Boys Aug. 1416,” said Cheryl Herring, spokesperson for Junction Tourism Bureau, “but the crown jewel of Junction’s spring is the inspirational 70-year-old Easter Pageant, a hillside portrayal of the last days of Christ, beginning at sunset on April 19. Visit www.junctiontexas.com.
Think Sundance without the snow — in Texas, of course. “Films don’t get more independent than this” is the theme of the 2014 Hill Country Film Festival, kicking off April 30th and running through May 4 at Fredericksburg’s Steve W. Shepherd Theatre. The festival features independent films, hosted filmmaker Q&A/interviews, discussion panels, happy hours and festival parties. Allaccess and day passes are now on sale. Visit www. hillcountryff.com.
So, whether the Texas Hill Country Wine Trail is your interest or you want to enjoy spring’s awakening in the Hill Country, take in some of the best in Texas creativity, enjoy some downright yummy barbecue or just want to get away to a cozy bed-and-breakfast for the weekend, Texas Hill Country festivals and events has something for everyone, so come and sit a spell.