From: Hammond, Ken [Ken.Hammond@chron.com] Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 2:11 PM To: guy@cybersquad.com Subject: March festivals, Texas -----Original Message----- From: unknown@libsrv01.magichron [mailto:unknown@libsrv01.magichron] Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 1:46 PM To: Hammond, Ken Subject: 12739 -ACCESS- 3629660 -UPD- 20030224 -UPT- 1402 -STAT- A -PAPER- Houston Chronicle -HEAD- MARCH FESTIVALS / Azaleas, kites, oysters and spring stirrings -DAY- SUN -DATE- 20030223 -SECTION- TEXAS MAGAZINE -PAGE- 6 -EDITION- 2 STAR -ZONE- -BYLINE- -CREDIT- Staff -WHONOTE- -ENOTE- A listing of Texas festivals appears monthly in Texas Magazine. Festival information and color photographs for April festivals must be received by March 1. Information must include a phone number for the public and admission costs. Send to Festivals, Texas Magazine, P.O. Box 4260, Houston, TX 77210. Fax 713-354-3051. Or e-mail information and high-resolution photos to festivals.features@chron.com. -DATELINE- -CAPTION- -ART- Photos: 1. Tony Abu-Sani of the Tony Xpress band performs during Houston's Bob Marley Festival in March 2002 (color); 2. Madeleine Dunbar explores the Bayou City Art Festival in March 2002 (color); 3. Dr. E.T. Bushrod's Medicine Show with the Tanner Family Minstrels performs at a Rosenberg Railroad Festival (p. 7, color); 4. Cidnee Brown tries the "trampoline thing" during last year's Children's Festival (p. 13, color) -PHOTOG- 1. Kevin Fujii / Chronicle 4. Melissa Phillip / Chronicle -CORRECT- -COLUMN- -CATEGORY- -TYPE- -KEYS- Houston Events -EKEYS- -PROC- libsam -ELECTION- -RSEC- 0 -SLUG- TMagFests.Shoup -LENGTH- 38 -LEAD- CHARRO DAYS FIESTA When: through March 2. Where: Brownsville. Contact: 956-542-4245. Admission: varies by event. Charro Days Fiesta honors the customs, costumes, cuisine and traditions of early Mexico. The celebration is named for Mexican charros - bold, skilled and showy horsemen. Dubbed a "Mexican Thanksgiving," the festival celebrates the friendship between the United States and Mexico where their borders meet at the sister cities of Brownsville and Matamoros. Events include three parades, street dances, Mexican folk dances, a Sombrero Festival, a flour-tortilla cook-off, a taco-eating contest, a golf tournament and concerts. -TEXT- CHARRO DAYS FIESTA When: through March 2. Where: Brownsville. Contact: 956-542-4245. Admission: varies by event. Charro Days Fiesta honors the customs, costumes, cuisine and traditions of early Mexico. The celebration is named for Mexican charros - bold, skilled and showy horsemen. Dubbed a "Mexican Thanksgiving," the festival celebrates the friendship between the United States and Mexico where their borders meet at the sister cities of Brownsville and Matamoros. Events include three parades, street dances, Mexican folk dances, a Sombrero Festival, a flour-tortilla cook-off, a taco-eating contest, a golf tournament and concerts. OYSTERFEST When: through March 2. Where: Fulton Contact: 361-729-2388. Admission $3 ages 12 and older. Men's and women's oyster-eating contests, an oyster-shucking contest, a Saturday parade and music by Backwoods, Darrell McCall, T.K. and Bandana Rose, and Frenchie Burke with Johnny Lyons are scheduled for this 24th annual party, benefiting the Fulton Volunteer Fire Department. RODEO HOUSTON AND HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW When: through March 16. Where: Houston. Contact: 832-667-1000; www.rodeohouston.com. Admission: Call for prices. Reliant Stadium is the new home of RodeoHouston. Events will include calf roping, saddle-bronc riding, steer wrestling, bareback bronc riding, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Musical performers will include George Strait, Tim McGraw, Ray Charles, ZZ Top and Alabama. OPTIMIST HILL COUNTRY ANTIQUES SHOW & SALE When: March 1-2.Where: Boerne. Contact: 830-995-3670; www.texasantiqueshows.com. Admission: $4, good for both days; free for ages 12 and younger. More than 60 antiques exhibitors will bring their wares to the Kendall County Fairgrounds. LEGENDS OF RASTA REGGAE FESTIVAL When: March 1-2. Where: Houston. Contact: 281-893-0044; www.LegendsofRastaReggaeFestival.com. Admission: $10-$15. The annual festival, formerly called the Bob Marley Festival, is held at City Hall Plaza and Tranquillity Park. It features performances by the next generation of reggae and world-beat music, including local bands. Dance troupes, jugglers and poets will perform, and there will be a children's play area, crafts and ethnic foods. From noon to 3 p.m. each day, admission will be a donation of $5, a teddy bear, or $8 in nonperishable food. The event benefits Teddy Gives Care and local pantries. YACHTY GRAS BOAT PARADE When: March 1-2. Where: Kemah. Contact: 281-244-2144; www.nasaclearlaketexas.com. Admission: free. The annual procession of decorated boats will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday and proceed through the Clear Creek Channel while parade participants throw beads to revelers on the Kemah Boardwalk. The Sea Sprite children's parade at 1 p.m. the next day repeats the boat parade. TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION When: March 1-2.Where: Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Park. Contact: 936-878-2214; www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/washingt/activity.htm. Admission: free. Highlights will include battle re-enactors, period musicians and entertainers, and tradesmen demonstrating their crafts. 68th ANNUAL AZALEA TRAIL When: March 1-2, 8-9. Where: Houston. Contact: 713-523-2483; www.riveroaksgardenclub.org. Admission: $20 all sites; $5 single site; free for ages 12 and younger. The showy flowering shrubs in varying shades of pink, purple, white, red and yellow will be on view at six locations, including four private homes and gardens, the River Oaks Garden Club Forum of Civics Building and Gardens, 2503 Westheimer, and the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, 2940 Lazy Lane. ZILKER PARK KITE FESTIVAL When: March 2. Where: Austin. Contact: 512-647-7488; www.zilkerkitefestival.com. Admission: free. More than 200 professional and amateur kite-fliers with their home-built kites will compete in Austin's 75th annual rite of spring. Demonstrations and workshops are also scheduled. TEXAS COWBOY POETRY GATHERING When: March 7-9. Where: Alpine. Contact: 915-837-1071; www.alpinetexas.com. Admission: varies. Most poets and musicians at the 17th annual event, held at Sul Ross State University, are working cowboys. Activities will include evening concerts ($10; $5 ages 11 and younger), a dance featuring Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys ($12.50), a poetry writing workshop ($10), demonstrations and chuck- wagon grub. HEART OF TEXAS REGATTA When: March 8-9. Where: Austin. Contact: 512-472-0726; www.austinrowing.org. Admission: free. The Austin Rowing Club expects to bring to Town Lake more than 1,000 competitors from around the country. Rowers from many top college programs are expected as well. ROSENBERG RAILROAD FESTIVAL When: March 8-9.Where: Rosenberg. Contact: 281-633-2846. Admission: free. Fort Bend County will celebrate its role in 150 years of railroading with a re-enactment of an 1850s railroad camp, arts and crafts, a beer garden and a carnival. OLD CAR PICNIC When: March 9. Where: La Porte. Contact: 281-479-2431; www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/battlesh/activities.htm. Admission: free. Bring a picnic lunch and view hundreds of classic cars, none built more recently than 1980, at San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Park. CENTURY OF CONSERVATION AND MIGRATION CELEBRATION When: March 14-16.Where: San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge, Brazoria. Contact: 979-265-2505. Admission: free. This year marks a century of conservation in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Friends of Brazoria Wildlife Refuges and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will host a three-day celebration of that milestone with the eighth annual Migration Celebration, which will include refuge tours and presentations. ORIGINAL ZYDECO JAMM FESTIVAL When: March 15. Where: Crosby. Contact: 281-471-5060; www.atbe.net. Admission: $17.50; $5.50 ages 11 and younger. Eight zydeco bands will perform, plus the Rolling Thunder 18-wheeler mobile disc jockey, sound and light show and a dance competition. SURFSIDE ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE When: March 15. Where: Surfside Beach. Contact: 979-233-9161. Admission: free. An Irish costume contest, held at Stahlman Park, will kick off the evening parade. Irish stew with soda bread and corn bread will be available, as well as hot dogs. GREAT EXCHANGE ANTIQUES FESTIVAL When: March 15-16.Where: Bellville fairgrounds. Contact: 979-865-5618. Admission: $4, free for ages 12 and younger. More than 80 antiques dealers will exhibit their wares, including furniture, glassware, porcelain, vintage quilts, linens and estate jewelry. There also will be a farmers' market and food. OLD GRUENE MARKET DAYS When: March 15-16. Where: Gruene. Contact: 830-629-6441; www.gruenemarketdays.com. Admission: free. Vendors will offer collectibles, crafts and Texas foods. NEEDVILLE CITYWIDE GARAGE SALE When: March 15-16. Where: Needville. Contact: 979-793-6357. Admission: free. Merchants, organizations and residents will offer a variety of items at bargain prices. Red flags will mark sale locations; maps available. MADISON COUNTY FAIR AND RODEO When: March 21-22.Where: Madisonville. Contact: 936-348-8317. Admission: free to fair; $6 to rodeo; $3 for ages 11 and younger. Madison County youths will exhibit more than 300 projects. Rodeo events will include sheep riding for kids each night. Events will include Old Timers Pig Showmanship, pedal tractor pull and a domesticated-pet show. TEXAS INDIAN MARKET AND SOUTHWEST SHOWCASE When: March 21-23. Where: Arlington. Contact: 806-355-1610; www.indianmarket.net. Admission: $8; free for ages 12 and younger. More than 300 American Indian, Southwestern, Western and wildlife artists will display their fine arts and crafts, including jewelry, pottery and paintings. A wild-bird show, Indian dancing, music groups and children's entertainment are scheduled. BAYOU CITY ART FESTIVAL When: March 21-23.Where: Houston. Contact: 713-521-0133; www.bayoucityartfestival.com. Admission: $7; free for ages 11 and younger. Memorial Park will become an outdoor art gallery featuring 300 artists from around the world with their works of sculpture, painting, wood, glass and metal. Also, music, wine cafes, beer taverns, food from local restaurants and an interactive art area. SPRING FLING When: March 22. Where: Brenham. Contact: 888-273-6426; www.brenhamtexas.com. Admission: free. Find gardening ideas and items to spruce up yards, homes and patios at this annual flower and garden show in historical downtown Brenham. AZALEA FESTIVAL When: March 22. Where: Jasper. Contact: 409-384-2762. Admission: free. Jasper will close off its courthouse square for the 14th annual festival featuring music, a shoe-box parade, doll and quilt shows, a photo show, handmade crafts and children's activities, and the Art League of East Texas' third annual Arts Invitational. The Self-Guided Azalea Trail runs March 16-31. RETURN OF THE MUD DAUBERS CELEBRATION When: March 22. Where: Luckenbach. Contact: 888-311-8990; www.luckenbachtexas.com. Admission: $10-$20. This event celebrates the annual return of the mud dauber to Luckenbach with music, games, armadillo races and the calling of the mud daubers. There will be an evening concert by Monte Montgomery. SCOTTISH FESTIVAL When: March 28. Where: Compaq Center. Contact: 713-666-3111. Admission: $10-$20. The St. Thomas Episcopal School Bagpipe and Drum Band will perform in "300 Pipers, Drummers and Dancers," which will include traditional and contemporary Celtic arrangements. Highland dancers also will perform. CARMINE COUNTRY ANTIQUE MARKET DAYS When: March 28-30. Where: Carmine. Contact: 281-337-7653; www.countryantiquemarket.com. Admission: $2. The old Carmine dance hall will be filled with dealers selling antiques, collectibles, vintage linens, furniture and garden antiques. VINTAGE/CLASSIC BICYCLE FEST When: March 29. Where: Hickory Hollow parking lot, 101 Heights Blvd., Houston. Contact: 713-330-9073; http://users.argolink.net/vbcoft/. Admission: free. Show categories for the fifth annual show and swap meet are muscle bike, middleweight, balloon tire, custom bike, special interest and best of show. RIVER, LAKES, BAYS 'N' BAYOUS TRASH BASH When: March 29. Where: Houston. Contact: 281-486-9500; www.trashbash.org. Admission: free. This annual litter cleanup of Houston-area waterways involves nearly a dozen sites, including the San Jacinto Battleground area. Volunteers will be given free gloves, lunch, entertainment and prizes. SHANGHAI DAYS COWBOY GATHERING When: March 29. Where: Houston. Contact: 979-532-1862; www.shanghaicowboys.com. Admission: free. Bring along a lawn chair and listen to the music of Tim Bays, Back at the Ranch, Mike Blakely, Lucky Boyd, Purly Gates and Grady Lee. Cowboy poets and storytellers will perform, and there will be a fiddlers contest, trick roping, mule rides and a petting zoo. GOLIAD MASSACRE LIVING HISTORY PROGRAM When: March 29-30. Where: Goliad. Contact: 361-645-3752. Admission: $3; $2.50 ages 60 and older; $1 ages 6-11. This event, a re-creation of the 1836 occupation of Fort Defiance by Col. James W. Fannin and the massacre of his men by Mexican soldiers, will include candlelight tours of barracks, officers' quarters and hospital, and a memorial service and pilgrimage to the Fannin Memorial. BP CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL When: March 29-30. Where: Houston. Contact: 713-220-2000, access code 5437; www.festivalsofhouston.com. Admission: $5; free for ages 2 and younger. The annual event, benefiting Child Advocates, will offer more than 350 activities for children and families, as well as five stages of music and entertainment and 15 family adventure zones, including BP Safety on Wheels. Activities will be at City Hall, Tranquillity Park and Sam Houston Park. LA FESTA SICILIANA When: March 29-30. Where: Houston. Contact: 713-692-0198; www.theitalianfestival.com. Admission: $3. The weekend event, held at the Sacred Heart Society of Little York, 816 E. Whitney, will feature Italian dancing and singing, Italian foods, bocce ball (Italian lawn bowling) lessons and tournament, and music by the McClanahans, the B-Sides and Doppelganger. WINEDALE SPRING FESTIVAL When: March 29-30.Where: Round Top. Contact: 979-278-3530; www.cah.utexas.edu/divisions/Winedale/SpringFestival.html Admission: $5; $2 students and children. The 28th annual Texas Crafts Exhibition will feature contemporary crafts by more than 45 Texas artists in glass, fiber, ceramics, jewelry, metal and wood. Traditional craft demonstrations will include soap making, horsehair braiding, spinning, blacksmithing and quilting. There also will be musical entertainment, regional Texas foods, and a Saturday-evening barbecue and dance. -END- ====================================================== This e-mail message is intended only for the personal use of the recipients(s) named above. 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