Things to Do

Hill Country Happenings: September 18-24, 2016

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Pumpkins, and pecans, and wine! Oh my! Fall is in the air and there are festivals galore to kick off the change in season. Pumpkin patches that are sure to bring fun (and pumpkins) to Hill Country families are opening their doors and it is that time of year to celebrate the very nut Texas holds so dear. Take a look at this week’s exciting events:

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Hill Country Wine FiestaPhoto: Facebook/Fiesta Winery 290

Annual Seed Stomp Help scatter wildflower seeds at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site to ensure next year’s beautiful blooms are plentiful. The seed stomp is a great event for young and old alike. There will be a little history to be learned about former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson and a few kids crafts. 10:30 a.m. – noon. September 17-18, 2016. Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site, Stonewall, Texas. tpwd.texas.gov

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

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.

Rumble on the River Rally You may notice the earth shaking and the waters quivering in Bandera. There’s no need for alarm; the world is not ending! It’s simply the effects of a good-natured biker rally. Rumble on the River Rally is an annual motorcycle rally featuring live music, RV and tent camping, poker, food, vendors, tattoo contests, and games fit only for bikers. $30 registration. September 16-18, 2016. Mansfield Park, Bandera, Texas. bikerralliesoftexas.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

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Comal County FairPhoto: Facebook/Comal County Fair

Comal County Fair & Rodeo Touted as the “Largest County Fair in Central Texas”, The Comal County Fair & Rodeo is sure to be a blast! Aside from your normal carnival and amazing food vendors, there will be mutton bustin’, a rodeo, livestock shows, a BBQ cook-off, and a parade. Admission 12 and over $7; children ages 6-11 $3; children under 6 are free. Free admission Wednesday, Thursday until 4 p.m., Friday until 6 p.m. for students, and Sunday. September 20-25, 2016. 701 E. Common St., New Braunfels, Texas. comalcountyfair.org

Wednesday, September 21, 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 22, 2016

Bandera Farmer’s Market Head to the farmer’s market to shop for local, fresh food and help support your local farmers! There will be 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, September 23, 2016

Fajita Fiesta Cook-off Snack on some tantalizing fajitas while listening to mariachi bands and watching a jalapeno eating contest. This family-friendly event draws BBQ masters from all walks of life to Buda for the ultimate BBQ cook-off competition. Free. September 23-24, 2016. Buda City Park, Buda, Texas. budachambertx.com

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Barton Hill Farms Pumpkin CowboyPhoto: Facebook/Barton Hill Farms

Cajun Festival & Great Gumbo Cook-off Spice things up a bit with some Cajun music and a gumbo cook-off. Take part in the food and festivities, which include arts, crafts, games, and some Cajun two-steppin’. Admission $10; children 10 and under are free. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Park Rd. 37 and 15th St. West, Lakehills, Texas. cajunfestival-medinalake.com

Eden Fall Festival Take a nature garden tour, play some cow patty bingo, and watch some Flamenco dancers. Not one of these events seems to go hand-in-hand, but when you put them all together in a festival setting, you’re sure to have a blast. There will also be live music, a parade, a fun run, and the Miss Eden Pageant. 10 a.m. Downtown on the Square and Pfluger Park, Eden, Texas. edentexas.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

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

Harvest of Fall Fun! Stuff a scarecrow, eat some candy corn or some ice cream, scurry through a hay maze, pick some flowers, hop aboard the Sweet Berry Express Barrel Train or 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

Main Street Market Day Get a head start on your Christmas shopping as you shop over a hundred food and craft vendors. Free. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Downtown Marble Falls, Texas. marblefalls.org

Pioneer Day Celebrate early Texas through old-fashioned games, crafts, food, music, a wagon ride, a pioneer and American Indian presentation, old-fashioned games, and crafts for all ages. Food, music, wagon rides, demonstrations on butter churning, blacksmithing, and quilting. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. September 24, 2016. Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead, Founders Park, 570 Founders Park Rd, Dripping Springs, Texas. drpoundhistoricalfarmstead.org

San Saba Pecan Jam Get ready to celebrate our state nut in San Saba. The “Pecan Capital of the World” brings you all things pecan at this day-long event. Jam out with Kyle Park and a whole slew of other talented music artists, jump on a few rides, relax in the beer or wine garden, and get your hands on some of the best pecan goodies around as you shop various vendors. Admission $10; children 10 and under are free. San Saba County Courthouse Square, 500 E. Wallace St., San Saba, Texas. San Saba Pecan Jam