From: Hammond, Ken [Ken.Hammond@chron.com] Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 2:15 PM To: guy@cybersquad.com Subject: October festivals, Texas -----Original Message----- From: unknown@libsrv01.magichron [mailto:unknown@libsrv01.magichron] Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 2:02 PM To: Hammond, Ken Subject: 67354 -ACCESS- 3586610 -UPD- 20021015 -UPT- 1225 -STAT- R -PAPER- Houston Chronicle -HEAD- October Festivals / The heat's finally off, and Texans have their choice of autumn celebrations all over the state. Here are some of the best. -DAY- SUN -DATE- 20020929 -SECTION- TEXAS MAGAZINE -PAGE- 8 -EDITION- 2 STAR -ZONE- -BYLINE- CLAUDIA FELDMAN -CREDIT- Staff -WHONOTE- -ENOTE- A listing of Texas festivals appears monthly in Texas Magazine. Festival information and color photographs for November festivals must be received by Oct. 4. 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. Members of the Harris County Dulcimer Society bring an old-timey sound to the Harvest Festival in Woodville. ( color ); 2. Ninth- and 10th-grade students entertain visitors to last year's Greek Festival in Houston with a little folk dancing. ( color ); 3. A happy vendor at last year's Needville Harvest Festival stirs a big pot of popcorn. ( color, p.9 ); 4. George Oliver, costumed as Oberon, greets visitors to the Texas Renaissance Festival. ( color, p.9 ); 5. A juggling unicyclist makes the rounds at Conroe's Cajun Catfish Festival. ( color, p.10 ); 6. Folk dancers take center stage at Houston's Turkish Festival. ( color, p.10 ); 7. A goat accepts Brooke White's petting stoically at a recent Country Fest in Lindale. ( color, p.10 ); 8. Downtown Houston will host the Bayou City Art Festival. ( color, p.10 ); 9. Balloons brighten the sky at last year's Castroville Balloon Fest. ( color, p.11 ); 10. J.J. Stachowiok puts his worst face forward at the Fire Ant Festival. ( color, p.11 ); 11. Boys are dressed in 19th-century period costumes for Texian Market Days at George Ranch Historical Park. ( color, p.12 ); 12. Vehicles will be judged at Fine Rides and Autofest in Wallis. ( color, p.12 ); 13. Houston's Asian American Festival will draw artists like Thai Kham Thien Nguyen. ( color, p.12 ); 14. History sparks a conversation at the Brenham Heritage Festival. ( color, p.12 ); 15. The Brazoria County Historical Museum presents a historical re-enactment during Austin Town activities in Angleton. ( color, p.14 ); 16. The Thunderbirds team will appear at Wings Over Houston. ( color, p.15 ); 17. Young Steven Eichthaler is a connected pioneer at the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering. ( color, p.15 ); 18. Face painter Eve Myles displays her handiwork to a young customer at last year's Texas Renaissance Festival. It and hundreds of other fairs and public celebrations will make Texas a festive place in October. ( color, cover art ) -PHOTOG- 2. E. Joseph Deering / Chronicle; 7., 10., 16. - 17. Associated Press; 8. Smiley N. Pool / Chronicle; 9. Bahram Mark Sobhani / San Antonio Express-News; 13. Carlos Antonio Rios / Chronicle -CORRECT- CORRECTION: The Island Oktoberfest in Galveston will be Oct. 26. In this story it was incorrectly listed as a two-day event. Correction published 10/15/02. -COLUMN- -CATEGORY- -TYPE- -KEYS- -EKEYS- -PROC- liberk -ELECTION- -RSEC- 0 -SLUG- 9/29 Oct. Fests.x1 -LENGTH- 57 -LEAD- There's sausage to sample, not to mention rice, exotic brews, Bundt cakes and rattlesnake chili. There are demonstrations. There are exhibits. There are concerts and races. There are carnivals. There are contests. There are bake-offs and raffles. October is one of the state's biggest months for festivals and fairs, with 781 listings on the Texas Department of Transportation's Texas Events Calendar. -TEXT- There's sausage to sample, not to mention rice, exotic brews, Bundt cakes and rattlesnake chili. There are demonstrations. There are exhibits. There are concerts and races. There are carnivals. There are contests. There are bake-offs and raffles. October is one of the state's biggest months for festivals and fairs, with 781 listings on the Texas Department of Transportation's Texas Events Calendar. "You can get wound up in the go-go-run-run. You have a work meeting. The kids have soccer. You can say, `We'll do it tomorrow' or `We'll do it next year.' But I'd say go to the festivals," says Mona Foust, board chairman of the Texas Festivals and Events Association. "Have fun with the kids while you can. And enjoy this state. So many people think they can't go on vacation unless they go to Colorado." Texas has thousands of festivals every year, more than most other states, Foust says, and increasingly, Texans are incorporating community celebrations into day trips or short vacations. That's partly because of 9/11, Foust says, and the temptation to stay relatively close to home and hearth. The poor economy also has fueled interest in festivals. It's cheaper for a family to drive to Fredericksburg for the Food and Wine Festival, for example, than to fly anywhere. "People want to do things with their families," Foust says. "They want to get in the car and go." They also want to celebrate local communities, local history, local traditions and culture, even local pests, says Paul Serff, president of the Texas Travel Industry Association. In Texas, depending on the month, there are festivals devoted to fire ants, mosquitoes, armadillos, rattlesnakes and poultry. In October alone, there are three Octoberfests, one Bocktoberfest and one Artoberfest, not to mention a Czhilispiel. At Texas festivals, the experts say, almost anything goes. Except the same-old, same-old, year after year. "If festivals offer the same old thing every year, local people will quit going," Foust says. "So you may have to add a horseshoe toss or a kazoo blow-off - nothing sophisticated or complicated." The community of George West has added a little-red-wagon parade to its annual storytelling festival the first Saturday in November, Foust says. Go figure. It's been a big hit. - CLAUDIA FELDMAN ... WARRENTON SHOW AND SALE When: Oct. 1 - 6. Where: Warrenton. Contact: 979-249-3141. Admission: free. Vendors will display their goods along Texas 237. TEXAS RICE FESTICAL When: Oct. 2 - 5. Where: Winnie. Contact: 409-296-4404. Admission: adults $6; students 6-18 years $4; children 6 and younger and senior citizens free. For 33 years this festival has been known for good food like rice balls, gumbo, pistolettes, crab balls and boudin balls - just to name a few dishes. Festivities will include a barbecue and fajita cook-off, an open horse show, a queen's coronation and a Rice Run. Entertainment will include Jimmy and the Jokers, Roger Creager, Jason DeLeon and the Cajun Blend, and Wayne Toups. THE ORIGINAL GREEK FESTIVAL When: Oct. 3 - 6. Where: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum, Houston. Contact: 713-526-5377. Admission: adults $3; children 12 and younger free. For 36 years, this October tradition has brought Greece to Texas. Festivalgoers can purchase authentic Greek food and pastries, tour the cathedral or browse through the gift shop and Greek-food store. Entertainment includes Greek folk dancing, and children can play at the Athenian playground. CROSSROADS MUSIC FEST When: Oct. 4 - 5. Where: Hearne. Contact: 979-279-2351. Admission: daytime events free; evening concerts $8 in advance or $10 at the gate. Music won't be the only attraction at this festival. Activities will also include a classic-car show, a kids' area, bingo, arts and crafts, a loudest-car sound system contest and food. The Bellamy Brothers will headline this year's event Friday evening, and Jaime y los Chimacos will perform Saturday evening. ELLIS COUNTY COURTHOUSE REDEDICATION When: Oct. 4 - 5. Where: Waxahachie. Contact: 972-937-2390. Admission: free. Ellis County will celebrate the county's $10 million courthouse renovation with festivities that will include a parade, live music, historical presentations and courthouse tours. COME AND TAKE IT When: Oct. 4 - 6. Where: Gonzales. Contact: 888-672-1095. Admission: free. Gonzales, known as the Birthplace of Texas Independence, celebrates the events leading up to the Texas Revolution with battle re-enactments, street dances, a carnival, a parade, family games, arts and crafts, a biergarten and exhibits. OKTOBERFEST When: Oct. 4 - 6. Where: Fredricksburg. Contact: 830-997-4810. Admission: adults $6; ages 6-12 $1; children younger than 6 free. This city will celebrate its German heritage with three stages of musical entertainment, food, beer, arts and crafts, waltz and polka contests, singalongs and dancing. Kids' activities will include rock wall climbing, basketball, a superslide and carnival-style games. ROUND TOP ANTIQUES FAIR When: Oct. 4 - 6. Where: Round Top. Contact: 281-493-5501. Admission: $10. Emma Lee Turney's 35th annual event will take place in four locations within Round Top and will feature antiques from more than 400 antiques and folk-art dealers. Mary Emmerling, a designer, Country Home Magazine's creative director, an HGTV commentator and an author, will autograph her latest book. SEABROOK MUSIC FESTIVAL When: Oct. 4 - 6. Where: Seabrook. Contact: 281-474-3838. Admission: $6 in advance at Houston-area Kroger stores; $8 at the gate; children 12 and younger free. Three stages will offer regional and national musical acts, theater, ballet, storytellers and magic shows. A car show, food and a petting zoo are additional attractions. TEXAS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL When: Oct. 5 - Nov. 17. Where: Plantersville. Contact: 281-356-2178. Admission: $21 adults; $10 children. In its 28 years, this festival has grown to become the nation's largest Renaissance theme park. Attractions will include gardens, 21 stages with 200 performances each day, 300 arts and crafts shops, food and fireworks every night. HOUSTON AREA WOODCARVERS SHOW When: Oct. 5. Where: Trader's Village, 7979 Eldridge Road, Houston. Contact: 281-360-3193. Admission: free. This show will feature international award-winning carvers, demonstrations and prizes. FALL GARDENING FESTIVAL When: Oct. 5 - 6. Where: Austin. Contact: 512-292-4200. Admission: 5-6.$5 adults; $4 seniors and students; children and members free. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center will hold a biannual plant and seed sale to raise funds for the center's educational and research programs. Experts will be on hand to answer questions and offer gardening tips. TASTE OF WAXAHACHIE When: Oct. 6. Where: Waxahachie. Contact: 972-937-2390. Admission: free. Live entertainment, children's activities and food of all kinds from all-American fare to gourmet cuisine. Line One, Too Much Sausage and the Mark Gorman Band will perform. VEGETARIAN CHILI COOK-OFF When: Oct. 6. Where: Splash Town Pavilion, Spring. Contact: 713-880-1055. Admission: $5; children under 12 free. Contestants from all over Texas will compete for cash prizes for the best meatless chili recipe and best booth. Ticket price will let you sample all the chilis and makes you eligible for door prizes. Also on hand are live entertainment, educational booths and exhibits. GOSPEL MUSIC FESTIVAL When: Oct. 11 - 13. Where: Wimberley. Contact: 512-847-3909. Admission: free. This festival, in its 24th year, will include bluegrass and traditional gospel music in addition to food and arts and crafts. CAJUN CATFISH FESTIVAL When: Oct. 11- 13. Where: Conroe. Contact: 800-324-2604. Admission: $8 adults; $4 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday; senior citizens and children younger than 12 free. For 30 years, good music has accompanied spicy Cajun food at this festival. In addition to a carnival, petting zoo, children's area, and arts and crafts booths, five stages will feature weekend-long entertainment. Performers will include Charlie Robison, Roger Creager, Dub Miller and Wayne Toups. GRUENE MUSIC AND WINE FEST When: Oct. 11 - 13. Where: Gruene. Contact: 830-606-1281. Admission: prices vary by event. Aaron Neville, Ray Benson and Radney Foster will perform at this festival that benefits New Braunfel's Hope Hospice and United Way. Guitars signed by Willie Nelson, George Strait and Robert Earl Keen will be auctioned on Friday night. MESQUITE ART FESTIVAL When: Oct. 11 - 13. Where: Fredricksburg. Contact: 830-997-8515. Admission: free. This show will offer a large collection of arts and crafts and furniture made from Texas mesquite. Demonstrations by scroll-saw artists and master turners will take place each day in addition to an auction. COUNTRY FEST When: Oct. 12. Where: Lindale. Contact: 903-882-7181. Admission: free. This festival will celebrate "good country living" with family-oriented activities and more, including a parade, games, a hayride for kids, climbing wall, petting zoo and dune buggies. FIRE FEST When: Oct. 12. Where: Val Jahnke Training Facility, 8030 Braniff, Houston. Contact: 713-524-2526. Admission: free. Demonstrations, live music and fire truck exhibitions will be some of the events scheduled to benefit the Houston Fire Museum's Honor Guard and educational programs. MATAGORDA DAY When: Oct. 12. Where: Matagorda. Contact: 979-863-7618. Admission: Free. The Matagorda Historical Society will salute Texas with activities, including a parade, a slide presentation of local historical sites, fish fry, crafts, games, dancing and music. Texas author Joe Tom Davis will speak. Children can learn about water environments on Texas A&M's "floating classroom" boat excursion. SOUTH SHORE DOCKSIDE FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL When: Oct. 12. Where: League City. Contact: 281-334-1000, Ext. 2020. Admission: $12 admission includes a souvenir wine glass and five tasting tickets. This event will celebrate the finer things of life, with gourmet food, wine tasting and culinary demonstrations. Boat and luxury yacht displays, classic and foreign car displays, art, fashion shows and live entertainment will also take place. TURKISH FESTIVAL When: Oct. 12. Where: Jones Plaza, Houston. Contact: 281-298-3745. Admission: $7 adults; children 12 and younger free. The sights, sounds and smells of Turkey will come to downtown Houston at this 12th annual event. Sample authentic food and drink, and browse through the bazaar offering jewelry, carpets, hand-painted ceramic plates, books, CDs, copper crafts and groceries. Also featured will be belly dancers, backgammon, a children's corner and a concert by the popular Turkish musical act AYNA. BAYOU CITY ART FESTIVAL When: Oct. 12 - 13. Where: downtown Houston. Contact: 713-521-0133. Admission: $7 adults; free for children 12 and younger. This juried art festival will feature 300 artists representing 17 different media categories. Music, wine cafes, restaurant booths and beer taverns will be offered as well as the Creative Zone - an interactive art area for children. FIRE ANT FESTIVAL When: Oct. 12 - 13. Where: Marshall. Contact: 800-953-7868. Admission: free. This celebration pokes fun at the pest with activities such as fire ant calling contests, fire ant collecting and "rubber chicken chunking." There will be food, arts and crafts, live entertainment and a parade. SEAFAIR When: Oct. 12 - 13. Where: Rockport. Contact: 800-242-0071. Admission: $5 adults; $2 for children younger than 12. In its 28th year, Seafair will celebrate the sea with activities such as a water fireworks show, a parade, professional water ski shows, a kids fishing tourney, arts and crafts, a gumbo cook-off, a beauty contest, a crab race and carnival rides. Larry Joe Taylor will perform Sunday evening. TEXAS BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL When: Oct. 17 - 20. Where: Mission. Contact: 800-580-2700. Admission: Fees vary by activity. Activities will include guided butterfly and nature field trips, speakers, seminars, a nature and butterfly EXPO, and a children's butterfly costume parade. CASTROVILLE BALLOON FEST When: Oct. 18 - 19. Where: Castroville. Contact: 800-778-6775. Admission: $3 per car Oct. 18; $4 adults and free for children younger than 6 Oct.19. This festival will kick off with a night glow. Oct. 19 activities will include balloon, biplane and helicopter rides, arts and crafts, food and entertainment. BEST OF CLEAR LAKE FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS When: Oct. 18 - 20. Where: Nassau Bay. Contact: 281-335-7777. Admission: free. Houston-area nonprofit arts organizations will offer a weekend of free performances in three Clear Lake venues: the Arts Alliance Center at Clear Lake, 2000 NASA Road 1; Clear Creek Country Theater, 18091 Upper Bay Road; and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 18220 Upper Bay Road. HARVEST FESTIVAL When: Oct. 18 - 20. Where: Woodville. Contact: 800-323-0389. Admission: $6 adults; $3 ages 5-12; younger than 5 free. The Heritage Museum Village has celebrated old traditions of East Texas for 15 years. Pioneer crafts including pottery, bobbin lace, printing, blacksmithing, wood carving, whittling, basket weaving, soap making and toy making will be demonstrated. Dulcimer, bluegrass and gospel music will be performed, and an Indian Living Village and Civil War encampment will be available to tour. BOCKTOBERFEST When: Oct. 19 Where: Shiner. Contact: 800-574-4637. Admission: $25 in advance or $30 at the gate. Music fans from Texas and beyond will gather in Shiner, the home of the Spoetzl Brewery, to enjoy music, food and Shiner beer. This year's performers include Robert Earl Keen, the Great Divide, Patrice Pike and Max Stalling. BRENHAM HERITAGE FESTIVAL When: Oct. 19. Where: Brenham. Contact: 979-836-3120. Admission: free. This festival will focus on the many cultures that make up Brenham. Events will include educational exhibits, food, live music and crafts booths. An archaeologist will speak about the Civil War battles of Texas. FIESTA DE HONGOS (MUSHROOM FESTIVAL) AND SATURDAY ON THE SQUARE ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL When: Oct. 19. Where: Madisonville. Contact: 936-348-5300. Admission: free. Mushroom lovers will celebrate their favorite fungus with activities like mushroom growing demonstrations, a mushroom soup contest and celebrity cooking demonstrations in conjunction with the 13th annual arts and crafts festival. FINE RIDES AND AUTOFEST When: Oct. 19. Where: Wallis. Contact: 979-478-2664. Admission: free. Cars, trucks and motorcycles will compete for more than 25 awards at this open show and swap meet. Also in store are music, hayrides, food, games and a raffle. HERITAGE SCARITAGE FESTIVAL When: Oct. 19. Where: Baytown. Contact: 281-424-7229. Admission: free. The Bay Area Heritage Society will conduct tours of the 1896 one-room Wooster School and a 1908 heritage home. Other activities will include arts and crafts booths, food and entertainment. There will also be an American Indian tepee and pumpkin decorating for children. NEEDVILLE HARVEST FESTIVAL When: Oct. 19. Where: Needville. Contact: 979-793-4030. Admission: $3 adults; $2 children and senior citizens. $5 after 6 p.m. Main Street will be closed to traffic to make room for vendors selling arts and crafts and food. Activities include two biergartens, a talent show, a petting zoo, face painting, a barbecue cook-off, games and rides. Two entertainment stages will include performances by Jenny Valka, Chorus Sine Nomine, Wilfred Chevis and the Texas Zydeco Band, the Bobby Jones Czech Band, Little River Polka Boys, Texas Lovin' Cloggers, Dana Haas, Elvis impersonator Billy Wade, and Bill Hart and the Cardiac Cowboys. ANTIQUES SHOW AND SALE When: Oct. 19 - 20. Where: Alvin. Contact: 281-331-4477. Admission: $3. Dealers will showcase antiques and collectibles including furniture, glassware, linens, porcelain, kitchen items, coins and memorabilia. ARTOBERFEST When: Oct. 19 - 20. Where: Galveston. Contact: modz@airmail.net. Admission: $3 adults; free for ages 12 and younger. This juried fine-arts festival will showcase the work of established and new artists as well as art from high school and college students. The event will take place between 21st and 23rd streets on Postoffice. ASIAN AMERICAN FESTIVAL When: Oct. 19 - 20. Where: Miller Outdoor Theater, Hermann Park, Houston. Contact: 713-861-8270. Admission: free. This multicultural Pan-Asian festival will feature arts and crafts, music, dancing and martial arts. TEXIAN MARKET DAYS When: Oct. 19 - 20. Where: George Ranch Historical Park, Richmond. Contact: 713-861-8270. Admission: $8 adults; $4 ages 3-12. This festival of living history will include re-enactments of important Texas historic events. The Gulf Coast Mounted Shooters will display their skills, and vendors will offer food and beverages. An arts, crafts and antiques fair will also be held. VICTORIAN HOUSTON HOME TOUR When: Oct. 20 (rain date Oct. 27) Where: Old Sixth Ward neighborhood, Houston. Contact: 713-869-8309. Admission: $10. Tour Houston's oldest intact neighborhood and talk to homeowners about restoring old homes. CREEPY CRAWLERS When: Oct. 25 - 26. Where: Armand Bayou Nature Center, 8500 Bay Area Blvd., Houston. Contact: 281-474-2551. Admission: $8 members; $10 nonmembers; children 2 and younger free. Family fun for children and adults will include treat bags, guided night walks in the woods with costumed "talking animals," live animal demonstrations, a barn show, storytelling, cookie decorating and hayrides. Costumes should not be worn. FIRE AND ICE BARBECUE COOK-OFF When: Oct. 25 - 26. Where: Montgomery. Contact: 936-443-1122. Admission: $5. The Silver Star Ranch is home to award-winning ice sculptor Jay Maclaskey, who will display his skills at this barbecue competition. The event will include the "Bubba Games" and a dance held in a 99-year-old barn. FRIENDS OF WILLIS FESTIVAL When: Oct. 25 - 26. Where: Willis. Contact: 409-762-8477. The town celebrates its founding with family activities such as live entertainment, a barbecue cook-off, a parade, a pageant, car show and a fiddle contest. THE ISLAND OKTOBERFEST When: Oct. 25 - 26 (SEE CORRECTION). Where: 24th and Winnie, Galveston. Contact: 409-762-8477. Admission: free. Bavarians brought this festival with them to Galveston when they immigrated 152 years ago, and since then the festival has maintained the authentic traditions. This year's festival will include entertainment by German oompah band Alpenfest, a waltz contest, German costumes, a flea market table, a street dance, arts and crafts, children's activities, beer and food. AUSTIN TOWN When: Oct. 25 - 27. Where: Angleton. Contact: 979-864-1208. Admission: $5 adults; $3 children younger than 12 and senior citizens. The Brazoria County Historical Museum will present the sixth annual living-history re-enactment recalling the lives of the pioneers who settled the pre-Republic of Texas from 1821 to 1836. CZHILISPIEL When: Oct. 25 - 27. Where: Flatonia. Contact: 361-865-3920. Admission: free for children younger than 12; Friday, $5; Saturday afternoon, $5; Saturday afternoon and evening, $15; free on Sunday This 30-year-old festival boasts the world's largest tented biergarten and the second-largest chili cook-off in Texas. This year's entertainers will include the Dujka Brothers, Red Ravens, John Evans Band, Cooder Graw, Bruce Robison, Cory Morrow and Charlie Robison. RED STEAGALL COWBOY GATHERING AND WESTERN SWING FESTIVAL When: Oct. 25 - 27. Where: Fort Worth. Contact: 888-269-8986. Admission: $17.50 one-day advance ticket; $20 on day of show. Three-day advance passes $45 or $50 on day of show. This festival will promote Western heritage and the cowboy way of life with cowboy music, Western swing, ranch rodeo action, cowboy poetry, a chuck wagon competition, horsemanship clinics, a cowboy trading post, ranch cutting-horse national finals and a children's poetry contest. FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL When: Oct. 26. Where: Fredricksburg. Contact: 830-997-8515. Admission: $20 adults; $5 for ages 12-21; free for children younger than 12. For 12 years this festival, held in Fredericksburg's downtown Marktplatz, has showcased products from more than 20 Texas wineries and more than 40 Texas specialty foods vendors. In addition to tasting opportunities, this year's festivities will include cooking schools and "Wine Tasting 101." PECAN FESTIVAL When: Oct. 26. Where: Richmond. Contact: 281-341-1575. Admission: free. This annual street festival will include hundreds of booths, food, clowns, performers and a historical tour of Richmond, the first settlement in Texas. TEXAS CAGED BIRD EXHIBITION AND TRADE FAIR When: Oct. 26. Where: League City. Contact: 281-328-1644. Admission: $2; free for children younger than 12. The Canary and Finch Society sponsors this eighth annual event, which will include judging of a range of caged birds from finches to large parrots. Vendors will sell birds and bird-related items. TEXAS CLAY FESTIVAL When: Oct. 26 - 27. Where: Gruene. Contact: 830-629-7975. Admission: free. Potters and sculptors from across Texas will display and sell their wares. Artists will demonstrate techniques, and there will be hands-on activities for children. WINGS OVER HOUSTON AIRSHOW FESTIVAL When: Oct. 26 - 27. Where: Ellington Field, Houston. Contact: 713-266-4492. Admission: $15 adults and $5 children at the gate. Advance tickets available at Kroger locations for $12 adults and $4 children. The U.S. Air Force's jet demonstration team the Thunderbirds will headline this year's festival. Other attractions will include a demonstration of maneuvers, aerobatics and precision formations by the F-16 Fighting Falcons, and "Tora! Tora! Tora!," which re-creates the attack on Pearl Harbor. INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL When: Oct. 31 - Nov. 3 Where: George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston. Contact: 713-781-6864. Admission: $9; $7 seniors; children ages 10 and younger free. The largest quilt show, sale and quilt-making academy in the world will include classes and lectures and more than 1,000 booths selling quilts, supplies, books, notions, antiques and crafts. -END- ====================================================== This e-mail message is intended only for the personal use of the recipients(s) named above. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this message. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the Houston Chronicle Postmaster (postmaster@chron.com) immediately by e-mail and delete the original message. ======================================================