Hit the road to find a unique sculpture, discover a shipwreck, or visit a festival.
Concrete guy. It was with much sadness that we learned that artist David Adickes passed away at his home in Houston on July 13. In his 98 years, Adickes created some of Texas’ most iconic works of public art. From Virtuoso in the Theatre District of downtown Houston to A Tribute to Courage, the monumental 67-foot statue of Sam Houston in Huntsville, and the colorful “We Love Houston” sign that previously sat along I-10, which is currently behind the 8th Wonder Brewery but is being moved to the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in the fall, Adickes’ work will entertain and inspire us for years to come. “My goal is to create works of art that will be here for generations – that will bring pleasure for generations to come. My whole life is based on that desire,” Adickes told Michael Hardy for an article that appeared in Texas Monthly in February 2025.
Although Adickes continued to paint throughout his professional career, he became best known for his concrete and steel public art. The following are six of my favorites, besides the Stephen F. Austin statue in Angleton, of course.
1) A Tribute to Courage; 7600 TX-75, Huntsville
2) Virtuoso; 411 Smith St., Houston
3) The Beatles; currently at 2202 Dallas St., Houston; location in flux.
4) American Statesmanship Park; 1400 Elder, Houston
5) Presidents Park. 2401 Nance St., Houston
6) The Stone Trumpet; 23rd Street and The Strand, Galveston
Shipping News. Near the entrance to Galveston Harbor is a strange tombstone to World War I. Sticking out of the water is the concrete hull of the S.S. Selma. The ship was scuttled in 1922. While on a trip to Tampico, Mexico, a 60-foot-long gash was ripped in its side when it struck a jetty. Towed back to the Texas shipyards, the 420-foot ship was declared unsalvageable and laid to rest off Pelican Island. One of a dozen concrete ships built for the war effort to save steel, the Selma was launched at Mobile, Ala., on June 28, 1919, just as the war ended. She plied the seas as an oil tanker until the accident in Mexico. Surprisingly, the ship is privately owned. As she slowly succumbs to the ravages of the surf, there have been failed attempts to convert the hulk into a fishing pier, pleasure resort, and oyster farm. Retired newspaper editor A. Pat Daniels held birthday parties on her deck when he owned the ruins before he died. Through his efforts the Selma was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and as a Texas Historic Landmark. There are three ways to see the wreck: from Seawolf Park on Pelican Island, from the Point Bolivar-Galveston Ferry, or on the Historic Harbor Boat Tours.
Historic Harbor Tour and Dolphin Watch, Tuesday-Sunday, Galveston, www.galvestonhistory.org/sites/historic-harbor-tour-and-dolphin-watch
Travel Notes:
Flooding emotions. For decades my family and I have enjoyed the beauty of the Guadalupe River Valley in and around Kerrville. Even the word “Kerrville” has a special lilt. My heart breaks for the many victims of the raging waters on the Fourth of July weekend. The area around Kerrville-Ingram-Hunt was our playground. I thank the people there for making it special and making memories with us over the years. We’ll always remember the folk festivals, Stonehenge II, sliding down Ingram Dam, and finding swimming holes at road crossings. Sunday drives on Texas Highway 39 could happen any day of the week. Following the curves of the river, the cypress-shaded road was more of a lazy lane than a highway. It was among the most scenic roads in the state, and then it became a nightmare.
Kerrville, we’ll give you time to heal, but we will be back to help you build new stories. Eventually a new Guadalupe River will emerge from the scar left by the flood waters. The river will become the serene stream of our memories, and the cold water will again become refreshing on a hot summer’s day.
Folk helpin’ folk. Located on the side of a hill far above the flood plain and about 9 miles as the crow flies south of the tragedy on the Guadalupe River, the Quiet Valley Ranch outside of Kerrville kicked into high gear when the devastation on July 4 became apparent. Home to the Kerrville Folk Festival, the ranch quickly became a hub of flood relief efforts. In partnership with Luck Reunion, Mill Scale Metalworks, Blackboard BBQ, Best Little Wine Shop, Gage Hotel, Brick Vault BBQ, and others, KFF opened its commercial kitchen to prepare hot meals and cold drinks to first responders and recovery crews. The Big Meadow campground became home base for teams of culinary professionals ready to jump in and help, and residents who needed a place to lay their heads. Because of the ongoing recovery efforts, the festival announced that it has canceled the Welcome Home Fest this October.
Small-town foodie. After nearly 20 years of pulling visitors to the Big Bend off the highway, the iconic French Co. Grocer in Marathon has moved to new digs right on the main drag through town. Early in June the supply depot for residents and tourists moved to 111 E. U.S. Highway 90. The new location is one of the first buildings you come to from the east. It’s in the same block as Brick Vault Barbecue, and down the road from the Gage Hotel. Sam Stavinoha purchased the store in 2019, and when his five-year lease was up, he was forced to move.
The new building on the highway looks to be much larger than the old building on Avenue D. The store had developed a reputation for stocking fresh produce, a fine selection of beer and wine, grab-and-go burritos, espresso coffee drinks, canned goods, and a good stock of other essentials. The market saved locals a 30-mile drive to the grocery store in Alpine or twice as far to the Walmart in Fort Stockton. For visitors it was a last chance to get supplies before heading into Big Bend National Park or to their short-term rental.
The store was opened in 1900 by William French as Marathon’s first general store and then was run as a grocery store by his daughter, Lucille, until 1972. It went through a series of owners until Stavinoha took over. In early July of this year the store was still quite the construction project, but the beer cooler was cold and the burritos big. Soon to return are the Friday evening hamburgers in the new biergarten in the shade of the building next door, and in October look for the John Prine Birthday Celebration.
Daily, 9am-9pm, French Co. Grocer, Marathon, French Co. Grocer
Dancin’ with the stars. After years of a stark white façade greeting visitors to the far West Texas outpost, the Ballroom Marfa has a new, colorful façade. The mural was done by artist Ozzie Juarez of Compton, California. Juarez explained his vision for the outdoor painting to the Big Bend Sentinel as: “I decided to imagine a new deity and dedicate his spirit to the Ballroom Marfa building. Coatzomaki, whose name fuses ‘Coati’ (serpent) and ‘Ozomatli’ (monkey). With the serpent’s ancient wisdom and the monkey’s agile curiosity, Coatzomaki becomes a living axis between grounded presence and spiritual ascent.” Ballroom Marfa is an internationally recognized non-collecting contemporary art museum. Established in 2003 by Virginia Lebermann and Fairfax Dorn, the contemporary art and performance space is housed in a 1920s-era ballroom and is free and open to the public. The Ballroom commissions new site-specific projects inspired by the magnificent landscape of the Big Bend. Besides hosting regular art exhibits, films, and music, Ballroom Marfa brought us Prada Marfa and the new stone circle with activations on full moons.
Catch a falling star. Make a wish during the Perseids meteor shower, one of the most popular meteor showers because it can produce over 50 falling stars per hour. The nighttime show is active from July 17 to August 24, peaking on the night of August 12 and into the morning of August 13. This year, the peak coincides with a waning gibbous moon, which will be at 88%, making viewing more challenging due to increased moonlight. The peak viewing time is usually just before dawn, but the shower can be visible as early as 10pm.
Pee-wee comes to San Antonio. Who can forget Pee-wee Herman’s visit to the Alamo in San Antonio in the classic 1985 movie Pee-wee’s Big Adventure? The Texas shrine recently announced that it has acquired the tricked-out Schwinn bicycle used in the movie. The bike will serve as a centerpiece in the Mays Family Legacy Gallery inside the Alamo Visitor Center set to open in Fall 2027.
Other August Events:
Jump to a region: | Big Bend | Hill Country | Panhandle | Piney Woods | Prairies & Lakes | South Texas | Out of State
BIG BEND
“Finding the Light: Photography by Jim Bones”
This exhibition showcases images of Texas and New Mexico that were recently acquired by the Wittliff Collections. While there, be sure to check out the interesting exhibit on the production of candelilla wax along the Rio Grande. The plant that grows wild in the Big Bend area produces wax with multiple uses and is harvested to this day.
Aug. 1-30. Alpine, www.museumofthebigbend.com/exhibits
Marfa Lights Festival
The annual festival brings music, food, vendors, and entertainment to the streets of our favorite West Texas town.
Aug. 29-31, Marfa, marfachamberofcommerce.org/marfa-lights-festival
HILL COUNTRY
Zilker Summer Musical
The annual tradition of locally produced shows at the Hillside Theatre happens on Thursday-Sunday at 8:15pm.
Aug. 1-16, Austin, www.zilker.org
Purple Martin Parties
After dining on insects during the day and prior to settling down for the night, purple martins put on spectacular aerial acrobatics shows before landing to roost in the trees. A good place to see these highly social birds is at Round Rock Crossing Shopping Center in front of Discount Tire from 8-9pm.
August 1-2, 8-9, Round Rock, www.travisaudubon.org/purple-martin-parties
Hill Country Harvest Festival
Experience the winery at harvest time with a hearty meal, wine tastings, and grape stomping either at sunset or on Saturday morning.
Aug. 2, Fredericksburg, messinahof.com/hill-country-harvest-festival
Summer in the Park
It’s the last two free concerts of this summer series in Plaza Park from 7:30-9:30pm featuring Seth James and Two Tons of Steel.
Aug. 7-14, San Marcos, www.summerintheparksm.org
Beer by the Bay Music Festival
Enjoy two nights of nonstop country music, beer tastings of Texas’ favorite local breweries, and an all-you-can-eat menu on the shores of Lake LBJ.
Aug. 8-9, Horseshoe Bay, www.hsbresort.com/beer-by-the-bay
Live Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing
Gates open at 11am and Post Time is at 1pm. General admission is $10 per person for exciting live horse racing.
Aug. 9-10, 23-24, www.gillespiefair.com
Gillespie County Fair
The oldest continuous county fair in Texas continues with a midway; funnel cakes and sausage-on-a-stick; the pageantry of the Queen Contest; judging of pies, cakes, cookies, and quilts; and two days of live pari-mutuel horse racing.
Aug. 21-24, Fredericksburg, www.gillespiefair.com
Harvest Festival
It’s an annual event celebrating the harvest with wine, food, and fun for all including the popular grape stomping.
Aug. 22-23, Fredericksburg, messinahof.com/fredericksburg
LBJ Birthday
Join in recognizing the anniversary of Lyndon Johnson’s birth by attending the annual wreath laying ceremony at the Johnson Family Cemetery at 10am. To view the ceremony, stop first at the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park to pick up a free vehicle permit and map.
Aug. 27, Stonewall, www.nps.gov/lyjo/index.htm
Western Music Festival and Round-Up
The 11th Street Cowboy Bar hosts Western music while the rodeo happens at Mansfield Park Arena over the Labor Day Weekend.
Aug. 29-31, Bandera, www.11thstreetcowboybar.com
Annual Grape Stomp
Guests of all ages are invited to take part in the traditional grape stomping experience – no reservations or fees required. A “Lucy & the Italian Woman” costume contest begins at 3pm on Sunday.
Aug. 30-31, Stonewall, www.beckervineyards.com
Labor Day Barbecue and Parade
Take a scenic drive through the Hill Country for a good cause. After watching the parade at 11am, buy a BBQ plate to help support the VFD, and don’t forget to drop a little extra in the firefighter’s boot.
Aug. 31, Tarpley, www.tarpleyvfd.org
PANHANDLE
XIT Ranch Reunion & Rodeo
Be a part of the 89th reunion honoring the historic ranch with a rodeo and attend the world’s largest free barbecue.
Aug. 8-9, Dalhart, www.xitrodeoreunion.com
Dinosaur Revolution
Become a junior paleontologist learning why dinosaurs are one of the most successful survivors in earth’s history and unearth a shocking discovery: dinosaurs may not be extinct.
Aug. 9-Oct. 25, Graham, www.theoldpost.org
PINEY WOODS
UFOcon
Explore Texas-based UFO sightings and alien encounters with the experts.
Aug. 23, Jefferson, www.facebook.com.events.2025-texas-ufocon
PRAIRIES & LAKES
Uncorked
The new exhibit at the Bastrop Museum shines a light on the history of winemaking in the county.
Aug. 1-Sept. 20, Bastrop, www.bastropcountyhistoricalsociety.com
Estate Harvest Festival
Celebrate the grape harvest with hearty meals, wine tastings and lessons, or a grape stomp either in the evenings on Friday or Saturday mornings.
Aug. 1, 2, 8, 9, 16. Bryan, www.messinahof.com/harvest-festival
Shakespeare at Winedale
Students live and work in a pastoral setting and perform in a century-old hay barn outside of Round Top that has been converted into an Elizabethan-style theatre Thursdays through Sundays.
Aug. 1-10, Winedale, www.liberalarts.utexas.edu/winedale
The Taylor International Barbecue Cook-off
This is one of the oldest and biggest barbecue competitions in Texas. It’s not a brag if it’s a fact.
Aug. 15-16, Taylor, www.taylorbbqcookoff.com
Praha Picnic
Everyone’s welcome to this annual homecoming with music, cake walks, famous fried chicken and stew, games, and an auction. It’s always on August 15, no matter what day of the week it falls on.
Aug. 15, Praha, www.stmaryspraha.org
Walburg Festival
The kitchen opens at noon and the music starts at 6pm. You can bet they’ll do the Chicken Dance at some point.
Aug. 29-31, Walburg, www.walburgrestaurant.net/walburg-fest-2025
SOUTH TEXAS
Mission Marquee Plaza Farmers & Artisans Market
Find fresh, locally sourced foods, and explore the handmade crafts and products from local vendors.
Aug. 2, 16, San Antonio, www.worldheritagesa.com
David Crockett’s Birthday at the Alamo
The 50-year-old Tennessean died on March 6, 1836, at the Alamo. Come celebrate his life with the fiddle music, listen to descendants speak about Crockett’s storied life, and witness a rifle and musket firing demonstration.
Aug. 16, San Antonio, www.thealamo.org/visit/crocketts-birthday
OUT OF STATE
Elvis Week
Elvis Presley’s legacy is alive and well in Memphis, where every August, thousands of fans from around the world come together to celebrate his life, music, and movies on the anniversary of his death on Aug. 16, 1977.
Aug. 8-16, Memphis, www.memphistravel.com/trip-ideas/elvis-week
Gerald McLeod has been traveling around Texas and beyond for his “Day Trips” column for more than 30 years. Keep up to date with his journeys on his archive page and follow him on Facebook.
This article appears in August 1 • 2025.
