Things to Do

Hill Country Happenings: August 28 – September 3, 2016

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Tony Maples Photography

 

The weather cools down, and the Hill Country scene heats up! As the Gillespie County Fair winds down, a bunch of other exciting events pop-up to celebrate cities, wine, music, and rodeos. Here is your weekly line-up, Texas Hill Country:

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Gillespie County Fair RidesPhoto: Facebook/Gillespie County Fair & Festivals, Inc.

Gillespie County Fair Are you ready for the granddaddy of all county fairs? We sure are! The “oldest, continuously running county fair in Texas” brings you all you could ever hope for at a county fair and then some, and jams it into four exciting days and nights. Bring your comfy shoes and have a blast at the carnival, livestock and agricultural exhibits, arts and crafts exhibits, the horse races, and then do a little dancing to some of the best music the Texas Hill Country has to offer. August 25-28, 2016. Gillespie County Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Dr off TX 16, 2 mi S of town, Fredericksburg, Texas. gillespiefair.com

Heritage Antique Tractor & Engine Show Go back in time to the good ‘ol days and check out some antique tractors, a 1920s replica farmhouse, agricultural displays, and an antique tractor pull! The Heritage Antique Tractor & Engine Show will be held in conjunction with the Gillespie County Fair. August 25-28, 2016. Gillespie County Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Dr off TX 16, 2 mi South of town, Fredericksburg, Texas. rustyiron.org

New Cowboy Church Attend this Sunday morning worship service to celebrate God’s grace, love, and mercy. Service is held at the Fredericksburg Marktplatz, so be sure to bring a chair, some donuts, and a coffee. Enjoy a little down-to-earth fellowship with your community and receive a free copy of Dan Kelley’s book “God Wrote You a Love Letter.” Since the church is run by volunteers, no offering plate is passed, just post-its, which Kelly explains he will talk about in the service. Just come as you are! 10 a.m. Fredericksburg Marktplatz, Fredericksburg, Texas.

Pari-Mutuel Horse Races Haven’t been to a horse race in awhile? This summer, Gillespie County Fairgrounds is hosting horse racing the whole family can enjoy featuring a full slate of live quarter horse races, thoroughbred races, other special races, and trials. Race weekends include dancing, entertainment, a variety of food, and drinks. The Race Barn, a pari-mutuel simulcast building, will be open for greyhound, thoroughbred, and quarter horse races from all over the country. Adults $7; Children 6 – 12 $5; children under 6 are free. Gates open at 11 a.m. Races from 1 – 6 p.m. August 27-28, 2016. Gillespie County Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Dr off TX 16, 2 miles south of Fredericksburg, Texas. 830-997-2359. gillespiefair.com

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Dripping Springs Farmer’s Market Head to the farmer’s market to shop for local, fresh food and help support your local farmers! 3 p.m. – dusk. Every Wednesday, year round. The Triangle, Hwy 290 & RR 12, Dripping Springs, Texas. cityofdrippingsprings.com

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Kendall County Fair The Kendall County Fair is back with carnival fun, live entertainment, and tons of good carnival food! Mosey on over to the rodeo to see some serious roping skills, mutton bustin’, barrel racing, and bull riding. September 1 – 4, 2016. Kendall County Fairgrounds, 1307 River Rd, Boerne, Texas. kcfa.org

PalominoFest & Pro Rodeo Labor Day Weekend Celebration Not only will you get to experience some amazing live music, you will get the chance to cheer on some of the best Pro Rodeo stars in Texas! Have a blast at the carnival and fill your belly with some tasty treats when you need a break from the excitement. Single Day Pass $12; Mega Multi-day Pass $15. September 1 – 4, 2016. Uvalde County Fairplex, 215 Veterans Ln, Uvalde, Texas. palominofest.com

Friday, September 2, 2016

Frontier Days Rodeo & Dance Enjoy a jam-packed weekend with fun, games, and excitement! Itinerary? Team roping on Friday at 6 p.m. Saturday, cheer on or participate in a 5K Cross Country Run at 8:30 a.m., followed by fishing for the kiddos, dominoes, washer pitching, and various contests from 9 a.m. – noon. Catch the parade at 5 p.m., enjoy some BBQ at 6 p.m., then watch the Lester Meier Open Rodeo 8 p.m. Dance the rest of the night away at 9 p.m. September 2 – 3, 2016. Community Park, 151 N. Park St., Harper, Texas. harpercommunitypark.org

Kimble County Kow Kick Shop arts and craft vendors, have some fun at the carnival, find out how real Texans BBQ at the BBQ Cook-off, and jam to live music along the South Llano River under the shade of the Pecan trees. September 2 – 3, 2016. City Park, Junction, Texas. junctiontexas.net.

Brady Goat Cookoff eventsPhoto: Facebook/World Championship BBQ Goat Cook-off

World Championship BBQ Goat Cook-off If you have never had the pleasure of indulging in a little barbecued goat, now is your chance. As the name implies, there will be a BBQ goat cook-off, a mystery meat challenge, plenty of games for the young and old, and a street dance. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the gate. $10 cooler fee. September 2 – 3, 2016. Richards Park, Brady, Texas. bradytx.com

Oatmeal Festival Celebrate with the tiny town of Oatmeal, Texas by celebrating its namesake: oatmeal. There will be a bake-off, a 3K run, pet parade, tasty, tasty BBQ, vendors, a street dance, and a parade. September 2-3, 2016. Downtown Bertram, Texas. oatmealfestival.com

Kerrville Fall Music Festival Wine and music come together for a magical union that celebrates songwriting and winemaking. Wine seminars and concerts by day followed by more concerts and wine drinking by night. A variety of food options will be offered, from BBQ to vegetarian meals. 3-day Ticket $115. 1-day ticket options available. September 2 – 4, 2016. Quiet Valley Ranch, 3876 Medina Hwy., Kerrville, Texas. kerrville-music.com

Celebrate Bandera There is always a celebration going on in Bandera, but this is the only one that celebrates the city itself. Enjoy activities that define Bandera’s cowboy culture, such as a Longhorn cattle drive, barrel racing, bull riding, roping, a mounted shooter competition, reenactments, dancing, and live music. September 2 – 4, 2016. Bandera, Texas. celebratebandera.com

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Gunner Thames Memorial Foundation eventPhoto: Facebook/Gunner Thames Memorial Foundation

Gunner Thames Memorial Rodeo This isn’t just any rodeo, this is a rodeo that benefits the youth of the community in memory of a child the community holds very dear to their hearts. The community goes an extra step further to honor their local Law Enforcement Officers by inviting them to attend the rodeo at no cost. $15 adults; $5 children; law enforcement free. 7:30 p.m. September 3 – 4, 2016. Chester Franklin Arena at Veterans Park, 401 Jacobs Well Road, Wimberley Texas. wgunnerthames.com

Hodgepodge Market Peruse through a hodge-podge of handmade crafts, antiques, vintage items, and unique gifts. Maybe get a head start on your Christmas shopping? Admission $2 or free with 2 or more cans of food for the Golden Food Pantry; children 12 and under are free with paid adult. Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. September 3 – 4, 2016. Kuykendall Event Center and Arena, Llano, Texas. Facebook