Things to Do

Hill Country Happenings: April 9-15, 2017

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Easter is almost here and with that an abundance of events and festivities to enjoy around the beautiful towns of the Hill Country. Hop into a festival or two and enjoy the music and fun that awaits you. Take in an Eggstravaganza of an Easter egg hunt ready for the kids to explore. Get carried away with a gorgeous balloon fest. No matter where you go your sure to take away a lifetime of memories from each event.

Sunday, April 9, 2017

bluebonnets-1526707_640

Photo: Pixabay

2017 Wine & Wildflower Journey Enjoy award-winning wine with the beautiful Hill Country scenery as your backdrop. Get your Tasting passport before they sell out! Choose from a variety of vineyards to visit and also admire the wildflowers in bloom. You have 17 days to visit all 46 wineries. March 31- April 16, 2017. For ticket information visit texaswinetrail.com.

Texas Hill Country Wildflowers Tour The most majestic tour showcasing the beauty that is the Hill Country. Bluebonnets, vineyards, and plenty of scenic and picturesque countryside for guests to gaze at. “This tour will make a stop in the historic German town of Fredericksburg, where guests will have time to have lunch and shop the many boutiques along Main Street,” shares its website. Thursday, March 30, 2017 – Sunday, April 30, 2017. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205. Contact (210)341-6000. visitsanantonio.com

Hill Country Youth Art Show Over 1,000 Hill Country students in grades K-12 display their artistic talents for an enjoyable exhibition of one-of-a-kind artwork. March 30 – April 23, 2017. The Kerr Arts & Cultural Center, 228 Earl Garrett St, Kerrville, TX 78028. Contact (830) 895-2911. kacckerrville.com

Euphoria Fest Carson Creek Ranch A four-day festival in Austin, TX. full of a variety of musical styles to enjoy with artists such as Alesso, Chromeo, Wiz Khalifa, Magna Carda and more. Camp under the stars, take in some yoga and attend a workshop or too while you’re there. April 6-9. Euphoria is held at Carson Creek Ranch, located within four minutes of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, in Austin, Texas. Get more info at euphoriafest.com.

Nerd Weekend April 7-9 at Jellystone Park Guadalupe Get ready to channel your inner geekiness as you answer nerd trivia and show others how fast you can solve the mystery of the Rubik’s Cube. Fun for the whole family. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp/Resort Guadalupe, 2605 Junction Hwy 27 Kerrville, TX 78028. jellystoneguadalupe.com

Poteet Strawberry Festival 2017Located in the heart of the Artesian Belt, Poteet is recognized as the ‘Strawberry Capital of Texas.’” Come out to enjoy one of the tastiest festivals around with fresh strawberries available to purchase. The annual event draws crowds in excess of 100,000, shares its website. There will be plenty of good food, great music, fun activities and a fireworks show. Friday, April 7, 2017 – Sunday, April 9, 2017. Poteet Strawberry Festival Grounds, 9199 N State Hwy 16, Poteet, TX 78606. www.strawberryfestival.com

Swing on the Square Live music with a variety of styles from swing to jazz to big band along with a farmers markets and arts and crafts market. A jam-packed full weekend to bring the whole family out to enjoy. April 7-9, 2017. For more details on schedule and prices visit their website. Contact Al Dressen by phone or text at (512) 745-0659 or email [email protected].

2017 Wild Woman Weekend at Blanco River Cottages   The 5th Annual fun-filled weekend full of good times with your girls with plenty of wine, food, shopping, and parties to take in. Get a little wild and join the fun and take home awesome memories to last a lifetime. April 7-9, 2017. Blanco River State Park, 101 Park Rd 23, Blanco, TX 78606. wildwomanweekend.org

34th Annual Bluebonnet Festival Big time fun and festivities all packed into a small town setting. Live music, carnival, food, 5k run, various activities for the whole family and of course plenty of bluebonnets! April 7-9th. Burnet, TX. bluebonnetfestival.org

Folkfest 2017 Enjoy a 19th-century style festival with games and activities to demonstrate life in early Texas times. “Kids of all ages enjoy hands-on activities like brick making, candle making, clay play, clothes washing, and quilt making. Learn nine-pin bowling, a game with a unique role in the Texas Hill Country,” shares its website. Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Heritage Village, 1370 Church Hill Dr. Kathy Nichols, 830-629-6504 New Braunfels, TX. texashandmadefurniture.org

29th Annual Train Show Jamboree Train lover enthusiasts you don’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind display of unique trains. $8 Adults (14 & older) and $2 for children ages 3-13 years old. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact Jim Edmondson at [email protected] for more information. newbraunfelsrailroadmuseum.org.

Hill Country Wildflower Arts & Crafts Show 6th Annual show with vendors from all over Texas with items on display such as clothing and accessories, jewelry, gourmet foods, wood works, artists, handmade items, garden decor, plants and so much more! April 8 – 9, 2017. Dripping Springs Ranch Park, 1042 Event Center Drive, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 (On RR12, north of Hwy 290, across from the Dripping Springs Elementary School). texashandmadefurniture.org

Monday, April 10, 2017

Luckenbach

Photo: Facebook/Luckenbach Texas

Blue Monday’s with Ben Beckendorf’s Blues Boys at Silver Creek Beer Garden Wash away the Monday blues with some great local Blues artists on the outdoor patio at Silver Creek Beer Garden while enjoying some good food and a cold one! 6-10 p.m. Silver Creek Beer Garden & Grille, 310 East Main, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624. silvercreekfbg.com

Monday Evening Pickers Circle w/Jake Martin Unplugged and free event featuring the sounds of Country, Americana, Rock, Blues, and Folk music for your Monday afternoon delight. 5 – 9 p.m. Luckenbach, 412 Luckenbach Town Loop. luckenbachtexas.com

Tuesday, April 11 2017

Learn to Jitterbug Swing Dance Get ready to kick up your heels and join the fun at Swing Junction. Part of an ongoing series with no partner needed. 6:30  – 9:30 p.m.$20 Pre-registration discount available. Visit yeahman.com for details, pictures, video, and info and registrations.

Will Hoge at Cheatham Street Warehouse “An extremely prolific songwriter with ten albums under his belt and countless songs written for others (including a Grammy nomination), Never fitting particularly neatly into a genre box, he’s always just made the music that moved him,” shares the website. Tickets are $18 – $20. 8 p.m. (event ends at 11:59 p.m.) Cheatham Street Warehouse, 119 Cheatham St, San Marcos, TX 78666. cheathamstreet.com

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Austin Festival

Photo: Facebook/Fusebox Festival

Kerr County Produce Market Day Making healthy eating affordable, Kerr County Produce opens its warehouse to the public each Wednesday to fill up on the fresh fruits, vegetable, and eggs. Serving the Hill Country for 35 years. Admission is Free! 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., The Big Red Barn, 215 A Street, Kerrville, TX, 78028. facebook.com/kerrcountyproduce

Bingo at Bandera American Legion Post 157 Every Wednesday evening come out and try your luck at a good old-fashioned game of bingo. Fun for the whole family. 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Bandera American Legion Post 157, 205 12th St., Bandera, TX 78003. Contact (830) 796-7528.

Fusebox Festival “Fusebox is a hybrid arts festival that champions adventurous works of art in theater, dance, film, music, literature, visual and culinary arts,” as shared by its website. A five-day festival that takes place in various locations and venues around Austin, TX. April 14-16, 2017. For more details, visit their website fuseboxfestival.com.

Hot Texas Swing Band Come out to enjoy an unforgettable evening of fun and make some great memories at 7:30-9:30 p.m. Hondo’s on Main, 312 W. Main St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624. hondosonmain.com

The Georges at Gruene Hall A Rockabilly group out of San Marcos, TX. A fun band with an energetic sound sure to get you up and dancing around to get over that Wednesday hump day and ready for the weekend. Free show. 6-10 p.m. gruenehall.com

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Bandera Farmers Market Come out for fresh eggs, produce, fresh baked goods and rare Asian vegetables, and more shares its website. “Our outdoor market is open year-round on Main St. in Bandera, Texas in front of Sid’s BBQ. You can find us on Thursdays from 8-11 am.” March 2 – March 30, 2017. 8 – 11 a.m. Sid’s BBQ, 702 Main St, Bandera, TX 78003. Contact (830) 796-4227. banderacowboycapital.com

Thursdays at Mercer Street Dancehall Looking for some good ole dancing music to kick your heels up then Mercer Street Dancehall is the place every Thursday night. Different live bands every week. Free show, music starts at 8 pm. Mercer Street Dancehall, 332 Mercer St, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. mercerstreetdancehall.com

The Weekend Stars Here! with Jay Wimberley Music Start the weekend early at the Phoenix Saloon to the sounds of Jay Wimberley. His music is rooted in Blues, Roots and Southern Rock and seasoned with Country, Grunge, Hip-Hip, R&B, and Soul, shares its website. Phoenix Saloon, 193 W. San Antonio St, New Braunfels, TX 78130. thephoenixsaloon.com

Friday, April 14, 2017

Balloons

Photo: Facebook/Horseshoe Bay Resort

Easter Event Good Friday, April 14, 2017, Live Gospel Music Concert Have a Good Friday with a good gospel music concert in Junction City Park. Fried Fish plates $12 per person, $6 for children 12 and under. 6 – 11 p.m. Call (325) 446-3190 for more information or send an emailjunctiontexas.com

Balloons Over Horseshoe Bay Resort The 5th annual Balloons over Horseshoe Bay Resort is here. The award-winning event returns Easter weekend April 14-16, 2017. Winner of The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and Gala Award for Best Special Event, the 2016 event had more than 8,000 in attendance for the Balloon Glow Finale making it one of the most photographed events in Central Texas according to its website. For more information and tickets, visit balloonsoverhsbresort.com

The 2017 Texas VW Classic “Come join us in Fredericksburg, TX for a weekend of camping, cruising and Volkswagenism! Roll through the hill country on the Bluebonnet Rally on Friday. Then wake up early Saturday to show off your VW to the masses,” shares its website. A one-of-kind event you don’t want to miss out on. Celebrate Easter with a new tradition and bring the family out to enjoy all the fun and activities. April 14-15, 2017. Lady Bird Park, Fredericksburg, TX. texasvwclassic.com

 Max Baca & Los Texmaniacs with Special Guest Flaco Jimenez Gruene Hall presents Grammy Award winners, Los Texmaniacs. “Anointed by Flaco Jimenez as the new kings of Tex-Mex music,” shares gruenehall.com 8 p.m. Tickets $15. Buy your tickets here.

Easter Weekend at Jellystone Park Hill Country Come out to Jellystone Park in the Hill Country to celebrate Easter weekend with fun activities and age appropriate egg hunts. April 14-16, 2017. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort Hill Country, 12915 FM 306, Canyon Lake, TX 78133. jellystonehillcountry.com

Easter Extravaganza Weekend at Jellystone Park Guadalupe Grab the family and a picnic basket and celebrate Easter by the Guadalupe. Fun for the whole family with and Easter egg hunt full of memories to make. April 14-16, 2017. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort Guadalupe, 2605 Junction Hwy 27, Kerrville, TX 78028. jellystoneguadalupe.com

 Tejano Easter Fest Friday AJ Castillo featuring Grupo Massore. An Easter celebration with great music to enjoy. 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. House Pasture Cattle Company, 2 River Rd, Concan, TX 78838 housepasture.com

Classic Old-Fashioned Country A music fest of great hits from Hank, Dolly, Patsy, Tammy, George, Merle & More! Friday, April 14th at 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 15th at 4 p.m. Rockbox Theater, 109 N Llano Street, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. rockboxtheater.com

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Hill Country

Photo: Pixabay

Sunset Easter Pageant Enjoy Saturday’s Sunset Easter Pageant held at the foot of Lovers Leap Hill in Junction City located by the Junction Golf Course on Cedar Creek Road, which is off of FM2169. Begins at sunset. junctiontexas.com

Easter Egg Hunt Start your Easter celebrations early with an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids at the Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg, TX. The Easter Bunny will be on hand for those traditional Easter photos. Separate hunting areas according to the age group for toddlers to age 10. Free to Families with children 10 and under. 325 W. Main Street, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. pioneermuseum.net

Easter at the Farm Celebrate Easter at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm. Step back in time and see how Easter was celebrated as a 1915 German Family would have. “See how eggs are dyed naturally for Easter, see the traditional Easter Lamb Cake, and prepare a grass Easter nest along with other seasonal fun activities on the farm,” shares its website. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. LBJ State Park & Historic Site, 199 Park Rd 52, Stonewall, TX. tpwd.texas.gov

Mutt Strutt Grab your four-legged pouch and come out to the 13th annual benefit for the San Marcos Animal Shelter from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the San Marcos Plaza Park. A one-mile walk along the San Marcos River as shared by its website with pet contest, live music, and more. For more information visit their website muttstrutt.org.

New Braunfels Farmers Market Start your day off early with a trip to the New Braunfels Farmer Market. Pick up your fresh eggs, grass-fed meats, baked goods, and more. Not your ordinary farmers market. “Enjoy a relaxing Saturday morning listening to live music, eating delicious food, and enjoying time with friends and family,” shares its website. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 186 S Castell Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130. innewbraunfels.com

Cowboys on Main Enjoy the old west cowboy lifestyle on Main street in Bandera, TX 78003. Free. Contact (830) 796-4447. Every Saturday from 1 – 4 p.m.

Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters Gunfight re-enactments at Bandera Visitors Center. Free. Every Saturday from 12 and 2 p.m. 126 Hwy 16 S, Bandera, TX 78003. Contact (830) 796-3045.

Live Music featuring ShAnnie “A singer/songwriting team who won the 2012 Texas Music Awards Vocal Duo of the Year!” Come out to enjoy some fine wine and listen to the music of the award-winning songwriter, ShAnnie. Kerrville Hills Winery, 3600 Fredericksburg Rd, Kerrville, Texas 78028. kerrvillehillswinery.com

Granger Smith Feat. Earl Dibbles JR. at Gruene Hall A refreshing new country artist bringing his unique sound to the forefront and reinventing traditional country music shares gruenehall.com. “Granger has had 10 Top 10 singles on the Texas Music Charts including 4 Top 5’s and the most recent singles ‘Miles and Mud Tires’ and ‘Silverado Bench Seat.'” Tickets are $20. Doors open at 8 p.m. 1281 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130 Ticket info here.

Hot Rod Nights at Soda Pops In its seventh season, the best old-fashioned Americana street party. Live music, good food, and a great place to hang out with friends and meet some new ones. Bring your classic hot rod for all to admire. Soda Pops, 103 N. Main, Boerne, TX 78006. Call  (830) 331-8799 for more information or visit sodapopsboerne.com.