Things to Do

Hill Country Happenings: October 30 – November 5, 2016

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Halloween is here! As children venture out into the neighborhood dressed as their favorite princess, ghoul, or goblin, be sure they are safe. Check out these Halloween safety tips here. As for the rest of the week, the pumpkin patch season is winding down but can still provide entertainment for the kiddos. In addition, Wurstfest is here to celebrate your favorite sausages and be sure to hop over to Utopia’s Arts & Crafts Fall Fair for some Christmas shopping!

Sunday, October 30, 2016

pexels-photo-67510Photo: Pexels

The Fall Festival and Great Pumpkin Maze Get yourself lost in the Great Maze before heading over to the Great Pumpkin Patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin. There will also be live music and plenty of good food to fill your belly. Admission $14; children 2 and under are free. Saturdays 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. September 24 – November 13, 2016. Barton Hill Farms, 1115 FM 969, Bastrop, Texas. bartonhillfarms.com

Fiesta Winery Live Music on the Patio Enjoy some live music every Saturday and Sunday while you sip on Texas Hill Country’s very own wine! Be sure to pick up a bottle or two before you leave. Saturday 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. 6260 US Hwy E 290, Fredericksburg, Texas. fiestawinery.com

Great Hill Country Pumpkin Patch Find out how cider is made, paint a pumpkin, play an instrument, tour the apple orchards, and groom a pony at this incredible pumpkin patch. There is so much to do you may have to plan on going more than once! Hay rides are unlimited. $6 per person; children 2 and under are free. Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday – Monday. October 3-31, 2016. lovecreekorchards.com

Harvest of Fall Fun! Stuff a scarecrow, eat some candy corn and some ice cream, scurry through a hay maze, pick some flowers, hop aboard the Sweet Berry Express Barrel Train or take a hayride, and, of course, pick out a pumpkin or two. Open Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. September 24 – November 6, 2016. Sweet Berry Farm, 1801 FM 1980, Marble Falls, Texas. sweetberryfarm.com

Hill Country Wine Trail Month Take a self-guided tour of the Hill Country Wine Trail. Pair some delicious food with some equally delicious Hill Country wines, meander through vineyards and wineries to gain a whole new perspective on why the Texas Hill Country has the best wine on earth. A portion of the proceeds benefits Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Individuals. $40; couples $70. Limit four wineries per ticket. Pickup and drop-off are provided at the Texas Hill Country winery of your choosing, which is designated when purchasing your ticket. October 1 – 31, 2016. Contact 872-216-9463. texaswinetrail.com

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.

pecan-festPhoto: Facebook/KWEDradio

Pecan Fest Heritage Days Every year the City of Seguin celebrates the pecan. The city is, after all, the home of the world’s original largest pecan, which sits out front of the courthouse. This event pays tribute to Texas’ glorious nut with live music, a beer and wine garden, pecan baked goodies, pecan coffee, pecan ice cream, and a whole slew of fun events and activities. 9 a.m. – midnight. October 28 – 30, 2016. Central Park, 201 S. Austin St., Seguin, Texas. visitseguin.com

Scarecrow Invasion Scarecrows will be taking over Comfort, Texas again this year in a creative display like no other. At the beginning of October, scarecrows begin popping up here and there, until there are so many scarecrows that even the black birds won’t fly by. In the middle of the month, scarecrows will be judged in categories that range from “Only in Comfort” to “Best of Invasion”. Free. October 1-31, 2016. Throughout Comfort, Texas. comfortchamber.com

South Texas Maize Twist and turn through a mind-boggling 7-acre maze, pick some pumpkins, race down the Matter-Corn Mountain Slide, relax on a hayride, and chill by a campfire. There is plenty to do, and eat, at South Texas Maize! Admission $15; children 2 and under are free. Fridays 6-9 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sundays Noon – 5 p.m. September 17 – November 20, 2016. Graff 7A Ranch, 911 U.S. Hwy. 90 East, Hondo, Texas. southtexasmaize.com

Texas Big Worm Pumpkin Patch This pumpkin patch is chock full of activities and special events. Not only will you get to pick out the perfect pumpkin, but you can also take a hayride, feed farm animals, paint a pumpkin, or get your face painted. Special events include live music, story time, contests every Saturday at 3 p.m., and a special day just for canines on October 26th. Be sure to catch a bite to eat at The Big Grill on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free, but there are some paid events and special activities. 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sundays. September 30 – October 30, 2016. Texas Big Worm Pumpkin Patch, 4625 E. Hwy 29, Bertram, Texas. Facebook/Texas Big Worm Pumpkin Patch

Monday, October 31, 2016 – Halloween

halloween-pumpkin-carving-facePhoto: Pexels

Trick or Treat Be sure to check out your local newspapers and news sites for a list of all the places to take the kids Trick or Treating. There are a ton of locations to head to for a safe Halloween.

Wednesday, November 2, 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, November 3, 2016

Bandera Farmer’s Market Cowboys need a farmer’s market, too. So head to Bandera for farm fresh eggs, wholesome organic produce, rare Asian vegetables, fresh-baked goods, and tons more. 8 – 11 a.m. Sid’s Bar B Que, 702 Main Street, Bandera, Texas.

Friday, November 4, 2016

wurstfestPhoto: Facebook/Wurstfest

South Texas Maize Twist and turn through a mind-boggling 7-acre maze, pick some pumpkins, race down the Matter-Corn Mountain Slide, relax on a hayride, and chill by a campfire. There is plenty to do, and eat, at South Texas Maize! Admission $15; children 2 and under are free. Fridays 6-9 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sundays Noon – 5 p.m. September 17 – November 20, 2016. Graff 7A Ranch, 911 U.S. Hwy. 90 East, Hondo, Texas. southtexasmaize.com

Texas Big Worm Pumpkin Patch This pumpkin patch is chock full of activities and special events. Not only will you get to pick out the perfect pumpkin, but you can also take a hay ride, feed farm animals, paint a pumpkin, or get your face painted. Special events include live music, story time, contests every Saturday at 3 p.m., and a special day just for canines on October 26th. Be sure to catch a bite to eat at The Big Grill on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free, but there are some paid events and special activities. 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sundays. September 30 – October 30, 2016. Texas Big Worm Pumpkin Patch, 4625 E. Hwy 29, Bertram, Texas. Facebook/Texas Big Worm Pumpkin Patch

Wurstfest A festival dedicated to honoring the sausage. It is “Texas’ version of Munich’s Oktoberfest.” Join in for some good fun, upbeat music, delicious food, and plenty of special events. November 4-13, 2016. Landa Park, 178 Landa Park Dr., New Braunfels, Texas. wurstfest.com

Saturday, November 5, 2016

utopia-artsPhoto: Facebook/Utopia Arts & Crafts Fall Fair

The Fall Festival and Great Pumpkin Maze Get yourself lost in the Great Maze before heading over to the Great Pumpkin Patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin. There will also be live music and plenty of good food to fill your belly. Admission $14; children 2 and under are free. Saturdays 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. September 24 – November 13, 2016. Barton Hill Farms, 1115 FM 969, Bastrop, Texas. bartonhillfarms.com

The Farmer’s Market at Cibolo Shop fresh local produce, farm fresh eggs, breads, jams, jellies, local honey, and Texas Hill Country arts and crafts at the historic Herff Farm. Enjoy free live music, gardening classes, cooking demonstrations, and children’s craft activities! Free. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Rd, Boerne, Texas.

Fiesta Winery Live Music on the Patio Enjoy some live music every Saturday and Sunday while you sip on Texas Hill Country’s very own wine! Be sure to pick up a bottle or two before you leave. Saturday 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. 6260 US Hwy E 290, Fredericksburg, Texas. fiestawinery.com

Great Hill Country Pumpkin Patch Find out how cider is made, paint a pumpkin, play an instrument, tour the apple orchards, and groom a pony at this incredible pumpkin patch. There is so much to do you may have to plan on going more than once! Hay rides are unlimited. $6 per person; children 2 and under are free. Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday – Monday. October 3-31, 2016. lovecreekorchards.com

Utopia Arts & Crafts Fair Finish up any holiday shopping you have left at this massive arts and crafts event that will include over 60 local vendors! There will also be some delicious food, lively music, a silent auction, and a Texas Folk story teller. Free. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. November 5, 2016. Town Square, Hwy 187, Utopia, Texas. Facebook/Utopia Arts and Crafts Fall Fair