It’s time for the annual wildflower road show, plus Texas’ birthday, St. Patrick’s Day, and more fun.
In 1930, a farmer northeast of Brenham found a carnival carousel in his field. Members of the Washington County Fair Association, the oldest county fair in Texas, came to the rescue of the abandoned carnival ride. Local craftsmen refurbished the 24 horses and the restored carousel made its local debut at the 1932 county fair. Three years later a 16-sided building was constructed in Fireman’s Park to permanently house the merry-go-round. With flying manes and big smiles, the horses appear to be carrying their young riders in a wild gallop. Brenham’s Flying Horses Carousel continues to entertain the children and is the oldest carousel in Texas utilizing the rare Charles W. Dare carousel horses.
Weekends March 1-Oct. 31, Flying Horses Carousel, Brenham, 979/337-7250, www.cityofbrenham.org/flying_horses_carousel.php
Vincent van Gogh’s artwork are some of the most recognizable paintings in the world. The Dutch painter created a unique style of landscapes and portraits that resonates through the ages. In collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum of Amsterdam and the Kroller-Muller Museum of Otterlo, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston will show more than 50 works done over the artist’s lifetime. Included in the exhibition will be letters and artifacts that round out the narrative of van Gogh’s development as an artist.
March 10-June 27, Vincent van Gogh: His Life in Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 713/639-7300, www.mfah.org
Travel Notes:
This should be a great year for roadside wildflowers. Start your bluebonnet adventures at these helpful websites:
- • www.texas.wildflowersightings.org: The site has maps, plant identification, and a chance to share your photos.
- • www.texaswildflowerpictures.com/update.htm: Photographer Gary Regner shares his secret wildflower spots.
- • www.wildflower.org: The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center relays reports from around the state and helps you identify the wildflowers you see.
- • www.wildflowerhaven.com/Portals/6/TWR2019-Outlook.pdf: Get up-to-date reports on wildflower sites around the state and well as everything you ever wanted to know about wildflowers.
Country music and West Texas go together like oil and the Permian Basin. This year’s Outlaws & Legends Music Festival on March 22 and 23 brings an outstanding lineup to the outdoor venue in Abilene. Kris Kristofferson headlines Saturday night backed by Merle Haggard’s former band. Also on the weekend bill are Roger Creager, Shooter Jennings, The Hamiltons, and many more. For ticket information call 325/280-6054 or go to www.outlawsandlegends.com.
Speaking of music legends, Jerry Jeff Walker will be honored or roasted, depending on your point of view, at Gruene Hall on Sunday, March 24 at 7pm. A group of his friends and admirers will spending the evening telling stories on Scamp Walker and singing the songs that made him an American music icon. This show will sell out, so get your tickets now.
Other March Events:
Texas Birthday Bash
March 1-2, Navasota, www.texasbirthdaybash.com
Friday Afternoon Club
March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Gruene, www.gruenehall.com
Archaeology Tour
March 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, New Braunfels, www.headwatersatthecomal.com
Mardi Gras Southeast Texas
March 1-3, Port Arthur, www.mardigras.portarthur.com
Mardi Gras! Galveston
March 1-5, Galveston, www.mardigrasgalveston.com
Spring Break on South Padre Island
March 1-27, South Padre Island, www.sopadre.com/springbreak
Tulip Festival Month
March 1-30, Waxahachie, www.fb.com/postontulipgarden
Texas Independence Day Celebration
March 2, Gruene, www.gruenetexas.com
Texas Independence Day & Sam Houston’s Birthday Celebration
March 2, Huntsville, www.huntsvilletexas.com/236/Tx-Independence-Day
Mardi Gras River Parade and Festival
March 2, San Antonio, www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com
Mistick Krewe of Okeanos Mardi Gras Parade
March 2, San Marcos, www.mistickkreweofokeanos.com
Transportation Family Day
March 2, Temple, www.templerrhm.org
Market Day
March 2, Wimberley, www.shopmarketdays.com
Texas Independence Day Celebration
March 2-3, Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, www.tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/washington-on-the-brazos/texas-independence-day
Jazz on the River
March 2-5, San Antonio, www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com
Krewe of Barkus Dog Parade
March 3, McKinney, www.downtownmckinney.com
Dawn at the Alamo
March 6, San Antonio, www.texasarmy.org/events/dawn-at-the-alamo
Tejas Storytelling Festival
March 7-10, Denton, www.tejasstorytelling.com
Oysterfest
March 7-10, Fulton, www.fultonoysterfest.org
Texas Steel Guitar Jamboree
March 7-10, Irving, www.texassteelguitar.org
Kosher Chili Cook-off
March 8, Houston, www.houstonkosherchilicookoff.com
Junk Hippy Market
March 8-9, Rosenberg, www.junkhippy.com
World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup
March 8-10, Sweetwater, www.rattlesnakeroundup.net
Stars and Skies Texas
March 9, Albany, www.thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/fort-griffin-state-historic-site
Buffalo Bayou Partnership Regatta
March 9, Houston, www.buffalobayou.org
Pianist James Dick in Concert
March 9, Round Top, www.festivalhill.org
San Antonio Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show
March 9-10, Kerrville, www.sanantoniokennelclub.com
Spring Break at the Gardens
March 9-17, Corpus Christi, www.stxbot.org
Spring Break at the LBJ National Historical Park
March 9-24, Stonewall, www.nps.gov/lyjo
Gospel Brunch
March 10, Gruene, www.gruenehall.com
Chef Fest
March 10, Richmond, www.cheffesthouston.com
Menudo Madness
March 10, San Antonio, www.menudomadness.com
Vincent van Gogh: His Life in Art
March 10-June 27, Houston, www.mfah.com
Spring Break at the Pioneer Museum
March 11-16, Fredericksburg, www.pioneermuseum.net
Heritage Festival
March 12-17, Nederland, www.nederlandhf.org
Top Taco Festival
March 14, New Orleans, La., www.toptaconola.com
Spring at the Silos
March 14-16, Waco, www.magnolia.com
Mercer Botanical Gardens March Mart
March 15-16, Houston, www.hcp4.net/parks/mercer
Davis Mountain Preserve Open Weekend
March 15-17, Fort Davis, www.nature.org/texas
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 16, Houston, www.hsppc.org
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
March 16-17, San Antonio, www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/events/murphys-st.-patricks-day-river-parade-festival
Herb Society of America – Pioneer Unit Plant Sale
March 16-17, Round Top, www.herbsocietypioneer.org
Central Texas Ceramic Expo & Handcrafted Items
March 15-16, West, www.westceramicshow.com
Llano Earth Art Fest
March 15-18, Llano, www.llanoearthartfest.org
Madison County Rodeo & Fair
March 15-23, Madisonville, www.mcfa.net
Azalea Trail
March 15-April 15, Nacogdoches, www.visitnacogdoches.org/nacogdoches-azalea-trail
Wild Hog Explosion and Cook-off
March 16, Bandera, www.wildhogexplosion.com
Texas Ranger Day
March 16, Burton, www.burtontexas.org
Historic School Open House
March 16, Gillespie County, www.historicschools.org
Mud Dauber Chili Cook-off
March 16, Luckenbach, www.luckenbachtexas.com
Hill Country Comicon
March 16-17, New Braunfels, www.hillcountrycomiccon.com
Come and Taste It
March 21, Gruene, www.grapevineingruene.com
Food & Wine Festival
March 21-23, Dallas, www.dallasarboretum.org/events-activities/food-and-wine-festival
Walker County Fair & Rodeo
March 21-30, Huntsville, www.walkercountyfair.com
Outlaws & Legends Music Festival
March 22-23, Abilene, www.outlawsandlegends.com
The Texas Mile
March 22-24, Victoria, www.texasmile.net
Texas Pinball Festival
March 22-24, Frisco, www.texaspinball.com/tpf
Tyler County Dogwood Festival
March 22-April 6, Woodville, www.tylercountydogwoodfestival.org
Azalea and Spring Flower Trail
March 22-April 7, Tyler, www.visittyler.com/azaleatrail
Dogwood Trails Celebration
March 22-April 7, Palestine, www.texasdogwoodtrails.com
Concert in the Cave – Spring Equinox Celebration
March 23, Boerne, www.cavewithoutaname.com
All Work and No Play!
March 23, Fort McKavett, www.thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/fort-mckavett-state-historic-site
Spirits of Oakwood
March 23, Tyler, www.oakwoodcemeterytyler.com
Corks and Kegs Queso Fest
March 23, Uvalde, www.uvalde.org
Texas Fly Fishing & Brew Festival
March 23-24, Plano, www.txflyfishingfestival.org
Rastrelli Cello Quartet in Concert
March 24, Fredericksburg, www.fredericksburgmusicclub.com
Viva Jerry Jeff! Friends of Scamp Walker Share Stories & Songs
March 24, Gruene, www.gruenehall.com
Fort Martin Scott Days
March 29-30, Fredericksburg, www.ftmartinscott.org
Bayou City Art Festival
March 29-31, Houston, www.artcolonyassociation.org
Old Time Music & Dulcimer Festival
March 29-31, Palestine, www.oldpalmusic.com
Montgomery County Fair & Rodeo
March 29-April 7, Conroe, www.mcfa.org
Zapp’s International Beer Festival
March 30, Baton Rouge, La., www.visitbatonrouge.com/event/zapps-international-beer-festival/219295
Firkin Fest
March 30, Bryan, www.downtownbryan.com
Herb Festival
March 30, Huntsville, www.texasthymeunit.org
San Angelo Craft Beer Experience
March 30, San Angelo, www.discoversanangelo.com/events/2019/2nd-annual-craft-beer-experience(2)
Maritime Exhibition
March 30, Texas City, www.texascitytx.gov
Texas Food Truck Showdown
March 30, Waco, www.thetexasfoodtruckshowdown.com
Texas Night Sky Festival
March 30-31, Dripping Springs, www.texasnightskyfestival.org
KCKL Big Bass Tournament
March 30-31, Cedar Creek Lake, www.kcklbass.com
Goliad Massacre and Living History Program
March 30-31, Goliad, www.presidiolabahia.org
Avalon Faire
March 30-April 28, Kilgore, www.avalonfaire.com
World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-off
March 31, Eunice, La., www.etouffeecookoff.org
Gerald E. 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 March 1 • 2019.
