Things to Do

Hill Country Happenings: July 3 – July 9, 2016

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Get ready for some Texas Hill Country excitement, because there are events all week long! The beginning of the week is, of course, dedicated to 4th of July celebrations. However, the party doesn’t stop there. While there may not be fireworks come the end of the week, there is plenty of what makes Texas Hill Country what it is. We guarantee you there will be plenty of music, fun, shopping, and lots and lots of tomatoes!

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Events

Photo: Facebook/ Aqua Boom July 4th Kingsland Texas

Aqua Boom, BBQ & Friday Night Steak Cook-Off – Bar-B-Que Cook-Off This can’t-miss annual event is sure to knock your socks off over the Fourth of July weekend with a children’s parade, aqua boom land parade, arts and crafts vendors, cow’ographers Wild West Show, Reed Helicopter rides, barbeque and chili cook-off, patriotic dinner and fish fry, street dance, poker run, horseshoe pitch and washer toss, obstacle course race, raft race, rubber duckie race, boat parade, live music. Whew! That’s a lot of down home family fun! Events are scheduled all over town so be sure to check out Kingland’s Aquaboom Schedule of Events to plan your weekend. Fireworks will be held on Monday, July 4, 2016 at the 2900 River Bridge. Free. July 1 – 4, 2016. Kingsland, Texas. kingslandaquaboom.org

Beauty and the Beast Who’s in for some adventure, danger, intrigue, romance, and a talking candlestick? Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is a time-honored classic that has captured the hearts of families world-wide. The Fredericksburg Theater Company is proud to open Season 20 with a revival of their 2006 blockbuster hit, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast! The Academy Award-winning film comes to life in this romantic and beloved take on the classic fairytale of Belle, the Beast and a curse that can only be broken by love. Reserve your seats to enjoy in this “tale as old as time” that is sure to please families and children of all ages. Highlights from the popular score include “Be Our Guest”, “Gaston” and the moving title song “Beauty and the Beast.” Rated G. Adults $29, children 17 and under $12. June 17 – July 3, 2016. Times vary. Fredericksburg Theater Company, 1668 S. US Hwy 87, Fredericksburg, Texas. fredericksburgtheater.org/season-20

Blanco County Independence Weekend Celebration Party from morning to night in Blanco, beginning with a chuck wagon breakfast at 9 a.m. After you have filled your belly, head to the Town Square for fun family activities, such as cowboy poetry, buggy rids, and a street dance. Free. Starts at 9 a.m. Town Square activities at the Old Courthouse, Blanco, Texas. buggybarnpinemooretown.com; blancochamber.com; twinsistersdancehall.com  

Josh Abbot Band and Fireworks Show The Josh Abbot Band AND a 4th of July fireworks show? Oh, yes please! If that isn’t enough to lure you in, there will be food trucks, a large playground, bounce houses, and river tubing. Best of all, this event is family friendly; all ages are welcome. This will be a 4th of July to remember! Adults $25; Children ages 6-17 $20; Children 5 and under are free.  5:30 p.m. Roundup Beer Garden, 531 FM 3351 N, Boerne, Texas. visitboerne.org

Pari-Mutuel Horse Races Haven’t been to a horse race in awhile? This summer, Gillepsie County Fairgrounds is hosting horse racing the whole family can enjoy featuring a full slate of live quarter horse, thoroughbred races, 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. July 2 – 3, 2016. Gillespie County Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Dr off TX 16, 2 miles south of Fredericksburg, Texas. 830-997-2359. gillespiefair.com

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents CIRCUS XTREME Lions, and tigers, and bears! Oh, my! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey join forces to bring you the most extreme circus experience around. Ticket prices range from $10 to $75 per person. 7:30 p.m. June 30 – July 4, 2016. AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Center Parkway, San Antonio, Texas. attcenter.com

VFW Rodeo Get ready for some mutton bustin’, food, and fun at the “Best CPRA Rodeo of the Year” at the Wimberley VFW Rodeo over Fourth of July weekend. Not to mention the cowboys, bulls, and rodeo clowns! Fireworks will be held on Sunday, July 3, 2016. Free. July 1 – 3, 2016. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Mutton bustin’ starts at 7 p.m. and the rodeo starts at 8 p.m. Wimberley Valley Veterans Park, Jacobs Well Rd (CR 182), Wimberley, Texas. wimberley.org

Monday, July 4, 2016 (Independence Day)

pexels-photo

Photo: Pexels

Fourth Fest Bring your lawn chair, cooler, and a picnic. Pick your spot then watch as the parade kicks off the day’s events. There will be a washer pitching tournament at 2:30 p.m., live music by local favorites Shades Of Blue from 7 – 9 p.m., and fireworks at 9 p.m. Please pack out your garbage. Free. 10 a.m. Blanco County Fairgrounds, Johnson City, Texas. 830-868-7684. johnsoncitytexaschamber.com

Robert Earl’s Fourth on the River Live concert featuring David Vincent and Danny B. Harvey, The Sean Kendrick Band, Bruce Robison, and, of course, Robert Earl Keen. There will also be a beer garden and the largest fireworks display in the Texas Hill Country. Need we say more? Free. Opens at noon. Louise Hays Park, Downtown, on TX 16 & TX 98 at the bridge, Kerrville, Texas. 830-792-3535. kerrvilles4th.org

Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Festival Enjoy live music all evening, shop 75+ art vendors, enjoy festival food and barbecue (which can be delivered right to your seat), cool off in the kid’s water zone, and enjoy fair rides & games! Free face painting will be available for the kiddos. End the day with the best firework show in Central Texas! Free. 6:30 p.m. 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave, Texas. hillcountrygalleria.com 

Independence Day Parade Join the fun for an old fashioned July 4th celebration and parade complete with horses, stagecoach, bands, clowns, and a wide variety of floats. Don’t miss this patriotic,  flag-waving red, white and blue celebration of America’s birthday. Free. 10 a.m. Cypress Creek Church Grounds, at South River, Wimberley, Texas. 512-847-2201. wimberley.org

July 4th at the Farm Celebrate the 4th of July the old fashioned way at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm. Free. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. LBJ State Park & Historic Site, at 199 Park Rd 52, Stonewall, Texas. 830-644-2252. tpwd.state.tx.us

Red, White n’ Buda This Fourth of July celebration will be all about the kids! The party starts with a children’s parade, which is free and no registration is required. Children line up in the parking lot across from Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant beginning at 9 a.m. with their decorated bikes, wagons, and scooters. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. down Main Street to Buda City Park. Free children’s activities will be held from 9:30a to 11:30a at the park. There will be a bounce house, water slide, and magician. The Buda Chamber of Commerce will be selling hot dogs. Yum! The fireworks show at City Park area at 9:30 p.m. Free. 9 a.m. City Park, Buda, Texas. 512-295-7170. ci.buda.tx.us

Rock’n Riverfest Hold on to your britches because Llano is fixin’ to rock your world on the Fourth of July! There will be a BBQ cook-off, jet ski races, rat rod cars, bouncy houses and water rides, a Yeti raffle, beach games, kayak rentals, and a brilliant fireworks show over the water. Free. 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Badu Park, 300 Legion Dr, Llano, Texas. 325-247-5354. llanochamber.org

Summerfest Bring the whole family out for a children’s costume contest and patriotic parade, live music, local vendors, food, various children’s activities, and a spectacular fireworks display. Free. 6 – 10 p.m. San Marcos Plaza Park, 401 E Hopkins, San Marcos, Texas. 512-393-8400. summerfestsmtx.com

Wilkins Family Live Free and Fly Loaded down with some of the best music around, this event features The Josh Grider Band, The Zach Wilkerson Band, Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros, and Tina Mitchel Wilkins. There will be food trucks, a raffle, a silent auction, and, eh hem, a lawn mower parade. The event benefits The Austin Harmony Project and the Golden Hub of Fredericksburg. Oh, how we love Luckenbach! Free. 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Luckenbach, Texas. luckenbachtexas.com

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Events

Photo: Facebook/ Lampasas Spring Ho Festival

Abendkonzert The longest playing German band is performing again this year in Boerne and just how cool would it be to go see them play? Arrive early to snatch your spot at the Plaza to see The Boerne Village Band perform some all-time German classics, the chicken dance included. Pack a picnic and grab the chairs and blankets for a good old-fashioned good time. Free. Main Plaza, 100 N. Main St., Boerne, Texas. visitboerne.org

Movies in Your Park Gather the family, bring the lawn chairs and blankets, and settle down to Paul Blart Mall Cop 2. Arrive early for some pre-movie games. Concessions will be available. Free. Sunset. Plaza Park, 206 North CM Allen Pkwy, San Marcos, Texas. toursanmarcos.com

Spring Ho Festival Want to do everything there is to do in the Hill Country? Lampasas has got you covered! This is not just another small town festival. This festival holds a county fair, dances, live music, a beauty contest, a talent contest, a carnival, a BBQ cook-off, kayak races, and a ton more activities. Did we mention Lampasas is home to a spring fed swimming pool? Yep! Hancock Swimming Pool will help cool you off. July 5 – July 10, 2016. Intersection of U.S. Highways 183, 190 and 281, Lampasas, Texas. springho.com

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Mason County Round-Up Rodeo Weekend Just because the 4th of July is over, doesn’t mean the party is. Round-up the family and head to Mason for their annual round-up rodeo and dance. There will be stick donkey races, live music, arts and crafts festival, and a washer pitching tournament. 9 a.m. July 7 – 9, 2016. Mason County Courthouse Lawn, Mason, Texas. masontxcoc.com

Friday, July 8, 2016

KP Birthday Bash Kyle Park is going all out again this year to celebrate his birthday with food, fun, and music. However, this year he is going a step further and is adding a charity golf tournament to benefit The First Tee of Greater San Antonio. Concert tickets are $10 on Friday and $20 on Saturday. Golf tournament entry $150. July 8 – 9, 2016. House Pasture Cattle Company, 2 N. River Rd., Concan, Texas. kylepark.com

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Events

Photo: Facebook/ Tomato Round-Up

Boerne Market Days On the 2nd weekend of every month, Boerne holds their fabulous Market Days. There, treasure seekers are bound to find a grand assortment of antiques and modern objets d’art. To keep up your energy while shopping, there are plenty of tasty treats to choose from and upbeat music playing. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Main Plaza, Boerne, Texas. visitboerne.org

Second Saturday Gallery Trail On the second Saturday of each month, art gallery owners in Wimberley keep their doors open just a little while longer to let the community view featured art created by local and national artists. Sip on a little wine and take in the beauty a creativity on display throughout Wimberley. Free. 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. The Square and around town, Wimberley, Texas. Facebook/ Wimberley’s Second Saturday Gallery Trail

Tomato Round-Up Celebrate the fruits of our local farmers’ labor by joining in on this unique agri-event. The community and growers come together to relish over the red, juicy tomato itself and all things created with it. Of course, what would an event centered around the tomato be without a tomato contest? From Heirlooms to Romas, there is a category for each. Free. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Veteran’s Memorial Park, Dripping Springs, Texas. cityofdrippingsprings.com