August is harvest time around the state, plus there’s lots of other activities to get you out and having fun.
Big deal sheep. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department maintains 11 free-range herds of desert bighorn sheep and is about to add a 12th at Franklin Mountains State Park outside of El Paso. The addition of this herd in a more accessible location may increase the possibility of sightings of the elusive critters by hikers.
The herd will be dropped off this October in the state park at North Franklin Peak, the highest point in El Paso. AllTrails.com calls the 7.2-mile hike to the peak challenging, but popular. Still, the bighorn sheep here will be more likely to be spotted by humans who make the hike than herds in remote wildlife management areas.
Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/franklin-mountains
It’s been a Blessing. Since 1906, the historic Hotel Blessing about 12 miles from the coast in Blessing has withstood countless hurricanes. Unfortunately, Hurricane Beryl did serious damage to the roof on the end of the building occupied by the restaurant. The nonprofit Blessing Historical Foundation has started a fundraising campaign to repair the damage.
The wooden hotel is known for its home cooking as much, if not more, than for its cozy rooms. The coffee shop is a local institution where the regulars are known to find the “hidden key” and start the coffee pot if they arrive before the staff. “Miss Helen” Feldhousen has managed the kitchen since the 1960s filling the buffet table with favorites like roast beef, fried chicken, meat loaf, and homemade rolls every day of the year except Christmas.
Rancher and real estate salesman Jonathan Pierce built the two-story, 25-room hotel for his clients and vendors. His grandson Able Pierce deeded the property to the non-profit organization. You pretty much have to go looking for Blessing to find the wide-spot in TX35 on the coastal plains southwest Bay City. A renovation in 1977 added modern conveniences to the rooms, making the historic hotel a popular romantic getaway. Although the coffee shop is closed during the repairs, the hotel is still accepting guests.
Hotel Blessing Roof Fundraiser, Blessing, 361/588-9579, hotelblessing.com
Empty-headed justice. The appreciation of art is totally subjective and personal. The best public art is thought-provoking or entertaining, or both. One of the things that Urns of Justice in Lafayette, LA, has going for it is the topless heads are memorable. At first glance, the sculptures installed in 1999 in front of the J.M. Shaw Federal Courthouse at 800 Lafayette St. simply look like the artist, Diana Moore of Santa Fe, NM, had stopped in mid-project. Standing five feet tall on the plinths that flank the entrance to the courthouse, the two cast concrete heads wearing blindfolds with open tops depict Justice with a nod to the decorative ceramic vessels found around Bayou Teche. According to the General Services Administration, the urns “transforms the ancient use of vessels as architectural ornament into a robust expression of civic ideals and iconic emblems of the federal judiciary in Lafayette.” I just think they’re cool and a great place to take a selfie.
About five hours east of Houston, Lafayette is one of the many interesting Louisiana towns along the I-10 corridor. Home to a University of Louisiana campus, the city is known for its food, music, and art. Its Mardi Gras Festival is one of the largest and most family-friendly celebrations outside of New Orleans. In April, don’t miss the Festival International de Louisiane that brings the best of southwestern Louisiana’s cuisine and culture to downtown. To get a taste of what the area has to offer this month, visit Acadian Culture Day at the Vermilionville historic district.
Aug. 11, 10am-5pm, Acadian Culture Day, Lafayette, LA, bayouvermiliondistrict.org/event/acadian-culture-day-2024
Travel Notes:
Historic tales. An exhibit of photographs taken by Bill Wittliff during the filming of the miniseries Lonesome Dove will be on view at the Bryan Museum in Galveston through Aug. 25. The 55 sepia photographs depict the era of cowboys and cattle drives re-created on the movie set and captured with modern photographic equipment. The history museum has also added a new permanent exhibit telling the story of Galveston Orphan’s Home that the museum occupies. More than 6,500 individuals passed through the home at 1315 21st St. between 1878 and when it closed in 1984. The museum is a fascinating depository of historic items from firearms to paintings, many of which are extremely rare. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
Monarchs walk. Take a short walk through the coastal prairie grasses along Buffalo Bayou in Houston and you will spot several colorful, oversize monarch butterfly sculptures among the real insects fluttering about. The Houston Monarch Story Project hopes to draw attention to the plight of monarchs that migrate through Harris County in the spring and fall. The butterflies need native plants, especially milkweed, for larval development and nectar. Signage around the field provides information on the monarch’s life cycle and migration through the region. The prairie plants and sculptures are on the south side of Buffalo Bayou, just east of Jackson Hill Pedestrian Bridge and west Waugh Drive. Created by artist Michelle Matthews, the colorful sculptures will be on display through Nov. 30. Join a free guided butterfly walk at the park on Aug. 17.
Inconvenient truth. One of the favorites on Texas Monthly’s Top 25 New Barbecue Joints in Texas of 2019 has gone on permanent hiatus. Convenience West in Marfa announced on its website and Instagram feed that “We’re taking a break.” Opened in 2017 in a former gas station on the west side of town by co-owners Mark Scott, Kaki Aufdengarten-Scott, and Katy Rose Elasser, the old-school barbecue joint was recognized as a James Beard Award finalist this year. The partners closed the short announcement by saying, “It’s been a wonderful, crazy ride, so thanks for having us yall!”
Other August Events:
Jump to a region: Big Bend Country | Gulf Coast | Hill Country | Panhandle Plains | Piney Woods | Prairies & Lakes | South Texas | Out of StateBIG BEND COUNTRY
Barbecue & Auction
Take this opportunity to hike the trails and visit one of the best gift shops in the region, then stay for the auction and barbecue at this major fundraiser for the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens.
Aug. 10, Fort Davis, cdri.org
Davis Mountains Preserve Open Weekends
The Texas Nature Conservancy only opens the preserve to the public four times a year. Camping is primitive and high-clearance vehicles are recommended, but you’ll get a rare opportunity for hiking, biking, equestrian, photography, birding, and to climb to the top of Mount Baldy.
Aug. 16-18, Oct. 11-13, Fort Davis, nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/events/tx-davis-mountains-open-days
GULF COAST
Shakespeare Festival
The festival enters its 50th season with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. All performances are free, but you must have a ticket available online. Arrive 30 minutes early for the 8:15 performance to attend the Bard’s Talk to gain insights into the performance.
Aug. 1-10, Houston, milleroutdoortheatre.com
HILL COUNTRY
Crider’s Rodeo and Dancehall
Just five more weeks of dancing under the stars in the Hill Country this season. Get there early for a CFS at the café, rodeo starts at 8pm, and music at 9pm.
Aug. 3-31, Hunt, cridersrandd.com
The Camels Are Coming!
In 1856, 34 camels arrived at the Texas port of Indianola. Eventually 75 camels were stationed at Camp Verde outside of Kerrville. For 10 years the animals served the military in West Texas. Now they’re coming back to Fort Martin Scott State Historic Site for the day.
Aug. 8, Fredericksburg, thc.texas.gov/events/camels-are-coming
Second Saturday Guided Hikes
Established in 1974, Wild Basin Preserve was Austin’s first nature preserve. The guided hikes are a great way to learn about the native Texas Hill Country. The 227-acre preserve has more than three miles of hiking trails within 10 miles of downtown. Reservations are required for the 9am walk.
Aug. 10, Sept. 14, Austin, stedwards.edu/wild-basin/visit
Harvest Picnic
Who says learning can’t be fun? Spend the day at Pedernales Cellars learning about the winemaking process while enjoying a barbecue lunch with a glass of wine and music by Jake Martin.
Aug. 17, Stonewall, pedernalescellars.com/events/Harvest-Picnic-2024
Lagers & Literature Book Fair
Enjoy a limited edition beer for a good cause and browse the booths sponsored by booksellers, printers, and archivists.
Aug. 18, Austin, meanwhilebeer.com
Gillespie County Fair
The oldest continually operated county fair in Texas has it all, from traditional 4-H livestock shows and a carnival to pari-mutuel horseracing. It’s fun for the whole family.
Aug. 22-25, Fredericksburg, gillespiefair.com
Hill Country Harvest Festival
A celebration of the grape harvest comes around once a year and it’s time to stomp grapes and raise a glass of wine to this year’s vintage at the evening or morning events.
Aug. 30-31, Fredericksburg, messinahof.com/hillcountry-harvest
PANHANDLE
XIT Rodeo and Reunion
At one time the XIT Ranch covered all or part of 10 counties in the Texas Panhandle. After it was sold off the cowboys began coming together once a year, starting a tradition that continues 88 years later. Visitors come from around the world for the rodeo, free watermelon, free pork chops, and the world’s largest free barbecue.
Aug. 1-3, Dalhart, xitrodeoreunion.com
Texas Banana Pudding Festival
You don’t want to miss this sweet festival, only in its second year of operation. For $25 you get a “Pudding Pass” that guarantees you generous samplings of “Church Lady Banana Pudding” (a traditional concoction of vanilla wafers, bananas, and pudding), “Fireball Boozy Banana Pudding” (a spicy surprise), “The King” (an Elvis-inspired banana pudding with peanut butter), and “Cherry Delight.” Do we need to say more?
Aug. 31, Slaton, theslatonbakery.com
PINEY WOODS
Texas UFO Con
Texas has the fourth-most reports of UFO sightings in the nation. For one day each year fans and experts come together to talk about sightings and possibilities.
Aug. 17, Jefferson, fb.com/texasufocon
PRAIRIES AND LAKES
Harriet Tubman: Journey to Freedom
The inspirational sculpture of Harriet Tubman by Wesley Wofford will be on the grounds of the Kerr Community Center, 1308 Walnut St., until it is moved to Charleston, SC.
Aug. 1-15, Bastrop, woffordsculpturestudio.com
Shakespeare at Winedale
It’s the last two weekends of Shakespeare in the old barn outside of Round Top. Performances are Thursday through Sunday with matinees on Saturday and Sunday.
Aug. 1-11, Winedale, liberalarts.utexas.edu/winedale
Harvest Festival
The grapes are ripe and it’s time to celebrate. Each weekend of the month, the original Messina-Hof invites the public to come pick grapes and play Lucy by stomping the fruit. Evening and daytime events are scheduled along with special dinners.
Aug. 2-31, Bryan, messinahof.com/harvest-festival
Water Lantern Festival
Set your hopes and dreams free on the pond in Haggard Park.
Aug. 10-11, Plano, waterlanternfestival.com/plano.php
Prazska Pout
It translates roughly to “Prague Fair” and means a giant picnic known for the Praha Stew and fried chicken. The reunion and celebration has been held every year on August 15 since at least 1855 on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Bring your dancing shoes to enjoy the polka bands, some cash for the auctions, and the kids to play the many games. The once bustling town of Praha is about four miles outside of Flatonia off of I-10.
Aug. 15, Praha, stmaryspraha.org
Taylor International Barbecue Cookoff
This is the granddaddy of all Texas barbecue cookoffs. If you can win here you’ve got some pretty good smoked meat. The public is invited to attend for free in Murphy Park just north of downtown.
Aug. 16-17, Taylor, taylorbbqcookoff.com
Ice Cream Social at the Kreische House
Head out to the Kreische Brewery State Historic Site for an afternoon of sampling hand-cranked ice cream using historic recipes and flavors from the 1800s.
Aug. 17-18, La Grange, thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/kreische-brewery
Artisan Market
It’s a fun Saturday happening browsing the vendor booths from bakeries to barbecue sauce and jewelry.
Aug. 17, Luling, lulingartisanmarket.com
Seguin’s 186th Birthday Party
It only happens once a year and Seguin celebrates its anniversary with homemade ice cream and entertainment in the courthouse park.
Aug. 9, Seguin, seguinconservation.org/events
SOUTH TEXAS
Alfresco Weslaco
Wander the streets of downtown Weslaco to enjoy the music, food, drinks, and vendors.
Aug. 15, Weslaco, weslacoedc.com
OUT OF STATE
Elvis Week
Make the pilgrimage to Memphis to celebrate all things Elvis from the ultimate tribute acts to tours of Graceland and more.
Aug. 9-17, Memphis, TN, graceland.com/elvis-week
Santa Fe Indian Market
One of the largest and most prestigious Native American markets converges on Santa Fe Plaza in downtown featuring goods from fine art to handicrafts by more than 1,000 artists from over 200 tribes.
Aug. 17-18, Santa Fe, MN, swaia.org
This article appears in July 26 • 2024.
