Day Trips & Beyond: May Events Roundup

It’s time to get out there and work on the base coat of your tan. Festival season is just warming up around Texas, so there is lots to do and see.

The hatchling releases are a rare opportunity to see a baby sea turtle up close. This has been a good year for eggs found on the Texas coast, giving the public multiple chances to see the hatchlings released into the wild. (Photo by Gerald E. McLeod)

One of the most unique sights in all of Texas is seeing sea turtle hatchlings race across the beach for the surf. Every year the Incubation Facility at Padre Island National Seashore outside of Corpus Christi invites the public to watch a Sea Turtle Hatchling Release. It’s impossible to know exactly when the hatchlings will be ready, but releases happen through the summer. For the latest news on releases, call 361/949-7163.

May-August, Corpus Christi, www.nps.gov/pais/learn/nature/hatchlingreleases.htm.

Elvis is in the building, at least in spirit, when Cody Ray Slaughter, Ultimate Elvis World Champion of 2011, performs at the Elvis tribute contest. (Photo Courtesy of Forever Resorts and Vox Solid Communications)

Multiple Elvi come to Dallas for the Texas Tribute to Elvis at the Southfork Ranch made famous on TV’s Dallas series. The annual festival features performances by some of the world’s best Elvis tribute artists competing for top prizes. Each of the three nights is dedicated to a different stage of the King’s career.

May 26-28, Southfork Ranch, Parker, www.texaselvisfestival.com

Travel Notes:

A lot of things have changed in the 46 years since the first Kerrville Folk Festival happened, but the music and fun have remained constant. This year’s festival, May 25-June 11, offers 2 ½ weeks of music under the stars and around the campfires. www.kerrville-music.com

Students from 24 Texas high schools will launch more than 80 rockets over four days as part of Rockets2017, May 18-21, at Stewart’s Hillview Ranch outside of Willow City. The public is welcome and admission is free. www.systemsgo.org

In celebration of National Preservation Month, the Texas Historical Commission offers free admission to 20 state historic sites for THC Historic Sites Free Day on May 7. Several of the sites have recently been renovated or restored and they’re looking better than ever. For a list of sites, go to www.texashistoricsites.com.

Other May Events:

Maifest
May 5-6, Brenham, www.maifest.org

Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally
May 5-7, Luckenbach, www.hillcountryrun.com

Middlelands Festival
May 5-7, Todd Mission, www.middlelands.com

St. Michael Mediterranean Festival
May 6, Beaumont, www.stmichaelmedfest.com

Twin Sisters Dance
May 6, Blanco, www.twinsistersdancehall.com

West of the Pecos Historical/Travel Fair
May 6, Langtry, www.texaspecostrail.com

Wein and Saengerfest
May 6, New Braunfels, www.weinandsaengerfest.com

Lavender Festival
May 6-7, Stonewall, www.beckervineyards.com

Planetarium Show
May 9, 6, 23, Clute, www.bcfas.org

Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival
May 12, Fayetteville, www.fayettevillechambermusic.com

Family Fun Day at Spring Lake
May 13, San Marcos, www.meadowscenter.txstate.edu

Texas Crab Fest
May 12-14, Crystal Beach, www.texascrabfestival.org

Sam Houston Folk Festival
May 12-14, Huntsville, www.samhoustonmemorialmuseum.com

Dulcimer Festival
May 13-14, Glen Rose, www.lssds.com

Dennis Hopper Day
May 17, Taos, N.M., www.dennishopperday.com

Fountainwood Observatory Public Nights
May 19, Georgetown, www.southwestern.edu

Fort Lancaster Western Frontier Days
May 19-20, Sheffield, www.visitfortlancaster.com

Strawberry Festival
May 19-21, Pasadena, www.strawberryfest.org

Texas Steak Cook-off and Wine Festival
May 20, Hico, www.texassteakcookoff.com

KNBT Americana Music Jam
May 21, Gruene, www.gruenehall.com

Cynthia Ann and Quanah Parker: A Woman of Two Worlds and a Man in Two Worlds
Through May 21, Irving, www.irvingartscenter.com

Tejano Conjunto Festival
May 24-28, San Antonio, www.guadalupeculturalarts.org

USO-Style Memorial Day Hangar Dance
May 27, Fredericksburg, www.hangarhotel.com

Festival of Arts
May 27-28, Kerrville, www.kvartfest.com

Schlittercon XIV
May 27-28, New Braunfels, www.schlitterbahn.com

Festival of Food and Wine
May 27-28, Rockport, www.texasmaritimemuseum.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. 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.