Day Trips & Beyond: July Events Roundup
Marfa Film Festival, a rare Al Pacino appearance, and more
By Gerald E. McLeod, 2:25PM, Wed. Jul. 6, 2016
The dog days of July are filled with fun and unusual things to do in Texas.
The Marfa Film Festival is known around the industry as one of the most relaxed and fun gatherings of new talent and seasoned veterans in the country. Fans get to sit in with filmmakers as they discuss their work over five days of a diverse mix of features, shorts, music videos, and experimental works followed by evening showings of classic films under the desert sky.
This year’s festival, which began in 2007, includes entries from China, Kenya, Japan, France, and Cuba along with at least five world premieres. Passes are still available for $75 per day or $300 for the entire festival.
July 13-17, Marfa/Alpine, www.marfafilmfestival.com
This is a rare opportunity to see one of cinema’s most enduring and endearing stars as you have never seen him before. Al Pacino will be on the resort’s stage telling stories, showing movie clips, and answering questions.
WinStar World Casino and Resort is on the Chickasaw Nation in southern Oklahoma four hours’ drive from Austin. Available tickets range from $44 to $85. Rooms at the resort begin at $199.
July 30, Thackerville, Okla., www.winstarworldcasino.com
Travel Notes:
Flesh eating bacteria is a rarity, but it happens. To get water quality reports for Texas beaches, go to www.cgis.glo.texas.gov/beachwatch. You can sign up to receive alerts when dangerous conditions occur at your favorite beaches. The Galveston County Health District reports that the Vibrio bacteria is naturally occurring and frequently present in salt and brackish water. It’s rare that people get an infection from Vibrio bacteria. In fact, out of 6 million visitors to Galveston Island in 2015, fewer than 10 cases of Vibrio infection were reported. Most people recover from Vibrio infection without long-term complications.
The Running of the BULL has been revived at the Funny Farm between Eldorado and San Angelo. The popular open mic event has participants “running their mouths with a bunch of bull” in categories such as biggest lie, longest talker without stopping, salesmanship, and legal speak. Running of the BULL. Head back to the farm the next weekend, for the Texas Sportathon to compete in 10 sports such as washers, corn bag, darts, and disc golf.
July 23-24 & 30-31, Christoval Funny Farm, 20707 U.S. 277 S., 325/650-2827.
Other July Events:
Frida Fest
July 9, Edinburg, www.edinburgarts.com
Tall City Blues Fest
July 8-9, Midland, www.tallcitybluesfest.com
Wayback Wednesdays
July 13, 20, 27, Goliad, www.presidiolabahia.org
Water Carnival
July 14-16, Fort Stockton
Talks and Tours with the Curator
July 15, Nimitz National Museum of the Pacific, www.pacificwarmuseum.org
Paris Balloon and Music Festival
July 15-16, Paris, www.parisballoonandmusicfestival.com
Tour de Paris Bicycle Rally
July 16, Paris, www.tourdeparis.com
Great Texas Balloon Race
July 22-24, Longview, www.greattexasballoonrace.com
National Day of the Cowboy
July 23, Amarillo, www.aqha.com
Buffalo Soldier 150th Anniversary Celebration
July 28, San Angelo, www.fortconcho.com
Great Texas Mosquito Festival
July 28-30, Clute, www.mosquitofestival.com
Old Mobeetie Texas Music Festival
July 29-31, Mobeetie, www.mobeetie.com
Viva Big Bend
July 28-31, Alpine, www.vivabigbend.com
“TEXAS” Outdoor Musical
Through Aug. 20, Canyon, www.texas-show.com
Gerald McLeod has been traveling around Texas and beyond for his "Day Trips" column for the past 24 years. Keep up to date with his journeys on his archive page. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of "Day Trips," is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 40312, South Austin, TX 78704.
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Events Roundup, Marfa Film Festival, Al Pacino, Galveston Island, Running of the Bull, Frida Fest, Texas Outdoor Musical
