Things to Do

Hill Country Happenings: April 18 – April 24, 2016

By  | 
Tony Maples Photography

 

Hail, Hill Country! Ok, ok, we apologize. We just couldn’t resist a little hail humor after Tuesday night’s barrage. In all honesty, we hope you weathered this week’s storm out without too much damage. Next week is expected to bring in a chance of rain, but the sun should come out just in time to go out and enjoy some Hill Country Happenings. Stay safe out there, Texans!

Monday, April 18 – Sunday, April 24

Gruene Antique Co. 30th Anniversary Logo

Photo: grueneantiqueco.com

Gruene Antique Company Anniversary Sale Gruene Antique Company is turning 30. To celebrate, they are offering customers 15% off a single item of $30 or more. Stop by and celebrate this milestone. Some exclusions apply, so please see website for details. Free. Open daily at 10 a.m. Gruene Antique Company, 1607 Hunter Rd., New Braunfels, Texas. (830) 629-7781. grueneantiqueco.com

Wednesday, April 20

The Smashing Pumpkins with Liz Phair Alt rockers The Smashing Pumpkins are still going strong after all these years. Performing in an intimate setting with amazing acoustics will undoubtedly make this show one to remember. $39.50 – $79.50. (Also a fee for parking) 7:30 p.m. Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, Texas. texasperformingarts.org

Thursday, April 21

Come and Taste It Every third Thursday, The Grapevine hosts a wine tasting featuring a different winemaker showcasing three of their newest released, top-selling or hard to find wines. Food samples are also available. Free. 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. The Grapevine in Gruene, 1612 Hunter Rd., New Braunfels, Texas. (830) 606-0093

Keep San Marcos Beautiful Spring Concert The third of the four series event will be featuring Alex Ruiz/Hell Camino and a Pre-Earth Day event. Information booths on recycling, composting and growing your own food are also on site. The public is invited to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the free concert. Responsible use of alcohol is allowed at this event for those over 21. Under park rules, Styrofoam, glass and smoking are not permitted. Free. 6:30 p.m. San Marcos Plaza Park, 401 E. Hopkins, San Marcos, Texas. (512) 393-8400

Cory Morrow Live in Concert This Hill Country favorite will perform an intimate full band experience for fans old and new. Head out and do a little Texas Time Travelin’ with Cory at this favorite local venue. $7 General Admission. $100 – $150 VIP tables. 9 p.m. Frieheit Country Store, 2157 Farm to Market Road 1101, New Braunfels, Texas.

Friday, April 22 – Sunday, April 24

Texas STOL Roundup Flyer with cowboy holding a cowgirl atop a plane

Photo: www.cubcrafters.com

3rd Annual Texas STOL Roundup This Short Takeoff and Landing aircraft competition keeps growing every year. Classes include experimental and certificated LSA, light touring, heavy touring and super heavy touring. Live music Friday and Saturday night, as well as plenty of food for purchase. $40 to complete. Free for spectators. Visit website for times, rules and regulations and further details. Llano Airport, Llano, Texas. (325) 247-5635. www.texasstolroundup.org

Founders Day Festival Weekend  The Annual Founders Day Festival honors and celebrates the founding of the Dripping Springs community in 1850. The three-day celebration kicks off with the Grand Parade and includes: free music and entertainment on two stages, the Mighty Thomas Carnival, food, beer, street dances, cook-off competitions, over 150 arts and crafts booths and business vendors. Free. See website for times. Downtown Dripping Springs, 511 Mercer Street, Dripping Springs, Texas. (512) 858-4725. www.cityofdrippingsprings.com

Georgetown Red Poppy Festival A Georgetown and Central Texas tradition, the Red Poppy Festival is a time to enjoy family and friends, music, food, and fun. Come early and stay late. Family-friendly entertainment doesn’t get any better than this. Free. See website for times. Convention and Visitors Bureau, 103 W. 7th St., Georgetown, Texas. (800) 436-8696. poppy.georgetown.org

2016 Austin Food + Wine Festival From tacos and tequila to grilling and grapes, spoil yourself with the sights, sounds and signature flavors that make Austin the hip destination it is today. The 2016 Austin Food + Wine Festival will be its fifth foray into Texas and it promises to be a gourmet celebration unlike any other. $75 – $625. See website for further ticket price information and schedule. Auditorium Shores and Republic Square Park. Austin, Texas. www.austinfoodandwinefestival.com

Concours d’Elegance The classics return to Conroe as the Concours d’Elegance converges on the grounds of La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa. This year’s featured marques include Jaguar, Bentley, Lincoln, Bonneville speed cars, as well as rare wood-bodied cars, The Woodies. The Greatest Car Auction in Texas takes place Saturday, April 23, all leading up to Sunday’s concours. Known nationally as The Family Concours, the Concours d’Elegance of Texas is the ideal family fun destination. See website for ticket prices and schedule of events. La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa, Conroe, Texas. www.concoursoftexas.org

Saturday, April 23 – Sunday, April 24

Photo of female participant climbing a rope during the Austin Spartan Race in the Hill Country

Photo: www.facebook.com

Austin Spartan Race Expect a quick course packed with single track descents, rugged rock climbs, muddy waters and obstacles… a whole lot of obstacles. In addition to all the traditional ropes climbs, heavy carries, and low crawls, you’ll have a slew of natural obstacles unique to this setting. Water crossing, anyone? Don’t worry, it’s shallow (enough). See website for entry fees and start times. Note: Parking and spectator fees also apply. Reveille Peak Park, 105 CR 114 Burnet, Texas. www.spartan.com

Granite Shoals 50th Year Bash The city’s upcoming ‘Big 50th Birthday Bash’ will include the City’s birthday party, hot dogs, cupcakes, singing Happy Birthday, face painting, piñata, kiddie train, bounce house, food and craft vendors and a variety of local bands playing in shifts, headlined by john arthur martinez (sic). There will be a 5K ‘Fun Run’ with Olympic Champion and local celebrity Leo Manzano. Free for attendees. Fee to participate in 5K ‘Fun Run’. See website for specific fees and event schedule. Granite Shoals City Hall Complex 2221 North Phillips Ranch Road, Granite Shoals, Texas. www.graniteshoals.org

19th Annual Buda County Fair & Weiner Dog Races Every year in Buda, the Wiener Dog Capital of Texas, the Country Fair and Wiener Dog Races provide a weekend of adorable fun for the whole family. Attendees come from all over the country to enjoy the qualifying Wiener Dog Races, which culminate in the run for the roses on the second day of the two-day festival. The event also features a Best Dressed Dog Contest, a Bake-Off and BBQ and Chili Cookoffs, and there’s live music and entertainment throughout the weekend. Children 12 and under: Free. 13 and up: $5. See website for schedule. Buda City Park, 204 San Antonio St, Buda, Texas. www.budalions.com

Saturday, April 23

9th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament Junction A&M Club is excited to host its 9th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament at the Junction Golf Club. There will be a welcome reception on Friday night at the course, along with a dinner and silent auction after the tournament ends on Saturday. Benefitting students from Junction that want to attend Texas A&M. Please see their FB page for more information. Junction Golf Club, FM 2169 West, Junction, Texas. www.facebook.com/events

Ride for the Rescue: Benefit Trail Ride Hill Country Trail Rides will be hosting a benefit for the horses of Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society. There will be a ride for all levels plus a second ride later in the day for more advanced horses. Bluebonnet horses will be on hand to meet the public, there will be a silent auction and much more. All Proceeds to help Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society.  $30 fee per horse/rider team. 9 a.m.  Hill Country Trail Rides, 645 Upper Sisterdale Rd., Boerne, Texas.  www.bluebonnetequine.org

Fischer Follies flier with purple lettering

Photo: www.bulverdespringbranchchamber.com

Fischer Follies Dinner & Variety Talent Show Benefiting the historic Fischer Store School Community Center Renovation Project, this dinner and variety show is truly a community event for all ages. Pre-Sale Tickets only: $17 Adults. $10 12 years or Younger. 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Cowboys for Jesus Church, 8400 FM 32, Fischer, Texas. (832) 724-5644.

2nd Annual Heart of Texas Car Show Benefit and Swap Meet This years event is benefiting the McCulloch County Child Welfare Board. Motorcycles, trucks, pickups and boats are welcome. Will also have a Swap Meet area. $25 per vehicle. $25 for vendors. Free for spectators, but donations are welcome. 9 a.m – 3 p.m. Richards Park, Fm 1816 @ Fm 1806, Brady, Texas. www.facebook.com/events

Sunday, April 24

The Nerd (A Stage Production) One of the funniest plays ever written, this extraordinarily inventive, side-splitting comedy was a solid Broadway hit. The action centers on the hilarious dilemma of a young architect who is visited by a man he’s never met but who saved his life in Vietnam—the visitor turning out to be an incredibly inept, hopelessly stupid “nerd” who outstays his welcome with a vengeance. “…the audience almost never stops laughing—handkerchiefs wiping away tears of merriment…” —Variety. (Rated PG-13) $12 – $29. 7:30 p.m. Fredericksburg Theater Company, 1668 US-87, Fredericksburg, Texas.