The dog days of summer come to an end on Aug. 23, but there is still plenty of hot fun to be had.
Every year the national and state parks in Stonewall and Johnson City hold special events to commemorate LBJ’s birthday. On the 109th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s birth, the state and national parks will hold special events including a wreath-laying ceremony at Johnson’s grave, free tours of the Texas White House, and special events and old-time games at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm. The events kick off with the showing of the HBO film All the Way starring Bryan Cranston as Johnson during his first year in office. Robert Schenkkan, author of the play and the movie screenplay, will introduce the movie at 7:30pm.
LBJ’s Birthday, Aug. 26-27, 830/644-2252, Stonewalltpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lyndon-b-johnson and www.nps.gov/lyjo
Big Bend National Park is just one of the 417 national parks where seniors get free admission with their Senior Pass. The cost goes up significantly for the pass on Aug. 28. Calling all citizens 62 or better: The price of the National Park Service’s Senior Pass jumps from $10 to $80 on Aug. 28, 2017. The lifetime passes provide admission for the card holder and up to three adults traveling with the pass holder. The pass is good at more than 2,000 government recreation and historic sites around the country as well as discounts on some fees. The passes can be purchased at sites that charge admission, by mail, phone, or online (with a $10 service fee).
www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm, 888/275-8747 x3
Other August Events:
Blanco County Fair, Aug. 17-20, Johnson City
www.lbjcountry.com
Texas Ranch Roundup, Aug. 18-19, Wichita Falls
www.texasranchroundup.com
Lone Star Gourd Festival, Aug. 18-20, New Braunfels
www.texasgourdsociety.org
Geek’d Con, Aug. 18-20, Shreveport, La.
www.geekdcon.com
North Texas Fair & Rodeo, Aug. 18-26, Denton
www.ntfair.com
Major League Lacrosse Championship, Aug. 19, Frisco
www.visitfrisco.com
Elephant Butte Balloon Regatta, Elephant Butte State Park, N.M., Aug. 19-20
www.ebbr.org
Solar Eclipse, Aug. 21, 11:41am-2:39pm, Various locations
www.earthsky.org
Gillespie County Fair, Aug. 24-27, Fredericksburg
www.gillespiefair.com
Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred, Aug. 24-27, Wichita Falls
www.hh100.org
AQHA World Championship Show, Aug. 25-Sept. 2, Amarillo
www.aqha.com
Texas Music Festival, Aug. 26, Tomball
www.tomballtx.gov
Margarita & Salsa Festival, Aug. 26, Waco
www.extracoeventscenter.com
President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Birthday, Aug. 27, Stonewall
www.nps.gov/lyjo
“Andy Warhol: Prints and Polaroids,” Through Aug. 26, Albany
www.theojac.org
Free Entrance to National Parks, Aug. 25, Various locations
www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm
Kendall County Fair, Aug. 31-Sept. 3, Boerne
www.kcfa.org
Fayette County Fair, Aug. 31- Sept. 3, LaGrange
www.fayettecountyfair.org
Gerald McLeod has been traveling around Texas and beyond for his “Day Trips” column for more than 25 years. Keep up to date with his journeys on his archive page.
This article appears in August 11 • 2017.
