Start the year out with an adventure and you’ll have something to talk about for 11 months.
Entries are now being accepted for the 2017 Houston Art Car Parade. The parade weekend happens April 6-9. The entry fee is a very reasonable $35, but must accompany the application by Feb. 15. Don’t be late; you don’t want to miss the opportunity to be a part of the 30th anniversary celebration of one of the most colorful free events in the state. www.thehoustonartcarparade.com
The chances of Central Texas getting an appreciable amount of natural snow is pretty slim, so the Hill Country Science Mill will bring in 20 tons of the white stuff. The hands-on museum’s art park will be turned into a winter wonderland as children and adults participate in snowball catapult launches, snowman building, and more. Buy your tickets early to avoid the lines.
Jan. 14, 11am-2pm, Hill Country Science Mill, Johnson City, 844/263-6405, www.sciencemill.org
Imagine being within arm’s-length of the five Super Bowl Trophies brought back to Texas by the Dallas Cowboys. The new headquarters and training facility offers tours in small groups of the training facility, the War Room, and the Super Bowl Memorabilia Room. Visitors will get to see the evolution of the team’s uniform, a rare collection of Super Bowl items, and reminders of the big moments of the team’s history.
Dallas Cowboys World Corporate Headquarters and Training Facility, Frisco, 972/497-4720, www.thestarinfrisco.com/tours.
Travel Notes:
It’s bullfighting season in South Texas. The Santa Maria Bullring in La Gloria, about 25 miles north of Rio Grande City, has announced their 2017 bloodless bullfighting season. This year six world-class matadors will snatch a flower from the back of the purebred Spanish bulls. The bullfights happen Jan. 8, Jan. 22, Feb. 12, and Feb. 26. For more information, go to www.fredrenk.com.
Northwest Louisiana kicks off the Mardi Gras season with parades on Jan. 14 & 16. The festivities continue through Fat Tuesday on Feb. 28. For a full list of parties and parades, go to www.shreveport-bossier.org.
The Eagle Capital of Texas has big plans for the 2017 Eagle Fest in Emory. The festival has added more bus and boat tours to Lake Tawakoni to see the bald eagles at their nests. There will also be more activities and entertainment than ever. For more information, go to www.visitrainscounty.com.
Other January Events:
Gospel Music Festival
Jan. 5-7, Rockport, www.gospelforce.org
Sam Rayburn Birthday
Jan. 7, Bonham, www.thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/sam-rayburn-house-state-historic-site
Galveston Restaurant Week
Jan. 7-22, Galveston, www.galvestonrestaurantweek.com
San Antonio Cocktail Conference
Jan. 11-15, San Antonio, www.sanantoniococktailconference.com
Southwestern Exposition Livestock Show and Rodeo
Jan. 13-Feb. 4, Fort Worth, www.fwssr.com
Texas Antique Tractor Show & Pull
Jan. 13-14, Hallettsville, www.txtractorpull.com
Fossil Discovery Exhibit Grand Opening
Jan. 14, Big Bend National Park, www.nps.gov
MLK Youth Parade
Jan. 14, Houston, www.mlkgrandeparade.org
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live! – Family Funday
Jan. 15, Lufkin, www.angelinaarts.org
Free Entrance Day
Jan. 16, National Parks, www.nps.gov
MLK Grande Parade
Jan. 16, Houston www.mlkgrandeparade.org
Washington’s Birthday Celebration
Jan. 20-Feb. 20, Laredo, www.wbcalaredo.org
Lunar New Year Festival
Jan. 20-22, 27-29, Grand Prairie, www.asiatimessquare.com
Lunar Lantern Festival
Jan. 21-22, Houston, www.lunarlanternfest.com
Brackenridge Winter Carnival & Snow Day
Jan. 21, Edna, www.brackenridgepark.com
Luckenbach Blues Festival
Jan. 21, Luckenbach, www.luckenbachtexas.com
Texas Guitar Quartet
Jan. 21, Round Top, www.festivalhill.org
Hill Country Gem and Mineral Show
Jan. 21-22, Fredericksburg, www.fredericksburgrockhounds.org
Dallas Area Train Show
Jan. 21-22, Plano, www.dfwtrainshows.com
Texas State Championship Domino Tournament
Jan. 22, Hallettsville, www.kchall.com
The Original Stars of American Bandstand
Jan. 27, Richardson, www.eisemanncenter.com
Denton Black Film Festival
Jan. 27-29, Denton, www.dentonbff.com
Children’s Powwow
Jan. 28, Livingston, www.alabama-coushatta.com
Year of the Rooster
Jan. 28, Lunar New Year
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.
This article appears in 2016.
