Day Trips & Beyond: September Events Roundup
Autumn events you ought to check out
By Gerald E. McLeod, 7:00AM, Wed. Aug. 30, 2017
The cool breezes of autumn are beginning to brush away the summer heat and there is a lot going on around the state.
August ended with a slosh as Tropical Storm Harvey spun ashore at Corpus Christi and Rockport. The following events were compiled before the storm made landfall. It is always advisable to check with the event, particularly those in the coastal regions, before traveling.
There must be a reason why the West Texas produces so many writers. This year the West Texas Book Festival, Sept. 21-23, in Abilene brings together Texas writers for a lengthy discussion of the arts. Notable regional literary figures such as S.C. Gwynne, James Ward Lee, and Diane Kelly will be in attendance. Jeff Guinn of Austin will receive the A.C. Greene Award. It will be two days of fun, conversation, and insight in the Storybook Capital of Texas.
Sept. 21-23, Abilene, 325/676-6025, www.abilenetx.com/apl/bookfest
The International Water Lily Garden in San Angelo is one of Texas’ great treasures. The rows of ponds in Civic League Park sprout a fireworks display of waterborne flowers. The botanical garden throws out all of the stops for Lilyfest on Sept. 23. Not only will the ponds be in full bloom for the free event, but there will be a plant sale, seminars, demonstrations, food, and music.
Sept. 23, San Angelo, 832/274-3377, www.internationalwaterlilycollection.com
Travel Notes:
On Labor Day Weekend, the Lone Star Museum of Flight opens at its new home at Ellington Airport in Houston. The aircraft museum left its home of many years in Galveston after Hurricane Ike caused significant damage to its buildings. In addition to static displays, the museum offers plane rides and houses the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame.
www.lonestarflight.org
Indian Lodge at Davis Mountain State Park outside of Fort Davis will close for renovations beginning Sept. 5 and reopen in early 2018. The staff and guests look forward to the improved heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and exterior plaster coating. The restaurant, gift shop, and most of the parking lot will remain open.
twpd.texas.gov/state-parks/indian-lodge
Do good by shopping at Whole Earth Provision Co. during the month of September. Patrons can donate any amount at checkout to the Nature Conservancy of Texas. If you donate $20 or more you’ll receive a specially designed Whole Earth Buff available nowhere else. Don’t know what a Buff is? It’s tubular headwear that makes a fashion statement while being adjustable to any outdoor situation.
www.nature.org/texas
In January 2017, the Rock Art Foundation, a group dedicated to the preservation and education of ancient pictographs, transferred its assets to the Witte Museum in San Antonio. The museum continues to offer access to one of the most diverse collections of rock art in the New World. Fall is one of the best times of the year to join a tour to one of the outdoor museum sites in West Texas.
www.wittemuseum.org/rock-art-tour-calendar
The Texas Historic Commission’s Landmark Inn in Castroville is closed until further notice. They are honoring current reservations. No word on when it will reopen.
www.thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/landmark-inn-state-historic-site
The Library of Congress National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., brings together writers and readers on Sept. 2 for one of the largest literary events of the year.
www.loc.gov/bookfest
Other September Events:
Blues & Barbecue Festival, Sept. 1-3, Bedford
www.bedfordbluesfest.com
Kendall County Fair & Rodeo, Sept. 1-3, Boerne
www.visitboerne.org
Brewmasters Craft Beer, Sept. 1-3, Galveston
www.brewmastersbeerfest.com
Kerrville Fall Music Festival, Sept. 1-3, Kerrville
www.kerrville-music.com
Fayette County Fair, Sept. 1-3, La Grange
www.fayettecountyfair.org
Lone Star Flight Museum Grand Opening, Sept. 1-4, Houston
www.lsfm.org
Photoseptiembre, Sept. 1-30, San Antonio
www.fotoseptiembreusa.com
Cal Farley’s Boy Ranch Rodeo, Sept. 2, Amarillo
www.calfarley.org/rodeo
Oatmeal Festival, Sept. 2, Bertram
www.oatmealfestival.org
Axiom Returns to the Cave, Sept. 2, Boerne
www.cavewithoutaname.com
World Championship Barbecue Goat Cookoff, Sept. 2, Brady
www.bradytx.com
VFD Benefit Fish Fry, Sept. 2, Doss
www.dossvfd.org
Canterbury Renaissance Festival of Northeast Texas, Sept. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, Mount Pleasant
www.canterburytx.com
Johnson County Adult Soapbox Derby, Sept. 3, Alvarado
www.johnsoncountysoapboxclassic.com
World Heritage Festival, Sept. 6-10, San Antonio
www.worldheritagefestival.org
South Texas International Film Festival, Sept. 7-9, Edinburg
www.stxff.us
Michael Hearne’s Big Barn Dance, Sept. 7-9, Taos, N.M.
www.bigbarndance.com
Chocolate Festival, Sept. 8-10, Dallas
www.dallaschocolate.org
Fall Planting Days, Sept. 8-10, Fredericksburg
www.wildseedfarms.com
Neches River Rally, Sept. 9, Beaumont
www.bigthicket.org/neches-river-rally
Spindletop Roller Girls vs. Conroe Cutthroats, Sept. 9, Beaumont
www.spindletoprollergirls.com
Frio River Trash Bash, Sept. 9, Garner State Park, Concan
https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/garner/26th-annual-frio-river-trash-bash
SMTX Pride, Sept. 9, San Marcos
www.smtxpride.org
Apple Butter Festival, Sept. 9, Lubbock
www.theorchardtexas.com
Texas Oklahoma Fair, Sept. 12-16, Wichita Falls
www.founderlionsclub.com/texas-oklahoma-fair
GrapeFest, Sept. 14-17, Grapevine
www.grapevinetexasusa.com
Hummingbird Celebration, Sept. 14-17, Rockport-Fulton
www.rockporthummingbird.com
Fall Antiques Show, Sept. 14-Oct. 7, Round Top
www.roundtop.org
Public Viewing Night, Sept. 15, Fountainwood Observatory, Georgetown
www.southwestern.edu/offices/observatory
Jazz’SAlive, Sept. 15-16, San Antonio
www.jazzsa.org
Permian Basin Writers’ Workshop, Sept. 15-17, Midland
www.permianbasinwritersworkshop.org
Texas Navy Day, Sept. 16, Angleton
www.brazoria-county.com/parks
Brews & Blooms, Sept. 16, San Antonio
www.sabot.org
Mermaid Society Parade & Aqua Faire, Sept. 16, San Marcos
www.mermaidsocietysmtx.com
Riverfest, Sept. 16, San Angelo
www.cosatx.us/departments-services/parks-recreation/river-fest
Blues Fest, Sept. 16-17, Denton
www.dentonblackchamberonline.org
Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza, Sept. 16, 23, Lake Jackson www.gcbo.org
West Texas Book Festival, Sept. 17-23, Abilene
www.abilenetx.com/city-hall/departments/community-services/library/friends-of-the-library/book-festival
Texas State Forest Festival, Sept. 20-24, Lufkin
www.texasstateforestfestival.com
Utopiafest, Sept. 21-23, Utopia
www.utopiafest.com
West Fest, Sept. 22-23, Marathon
www.marathontexas.com
Texas Reds Steak and Grape, Sept. 22-24, Bryan
www.texasredsfestival.com
Plano Balloon Festival, Sept. 22-24, Plano,
www.planoballoonfest.org
Cajun Festival & Gumbo Cookoff, Sept. 23, Bandera
www.cajunfestival-medinalake.com
Fall Equinox – Underground Sounds, Sept. 23, Boerne
www.cavewithoutaname.com
Tallgrass Tour Clymer Meadow Preserve, Fri., Sept. 23, Celeste
www.nature.org/texas
Day in the Life of the Presidio, Sept. 23, Goliad
www.presidiolabahia.org
Lampasas County Wine Tour, Sept. 23, Lampasas
www.lampasaschamber.org
Woodforest Craft Fest, Sept. 23, Montgomery
www.woodforesttx.com
Lilyfest, Sept 23, San Angelo
www.internationallilycollection.com
Food Truck Frenzy & Main Street Market, Sept. 23, Temple
www.eventbrite.com/e/main-street-market-tickets-31647547667
Free Museum Day Live!, Sept. 23, Various locations
www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/museum-day-live-2017
Czech Heritage Festival, Sept. 24, Victoria
www.victoriaczechs.org
Santa Fe Wine & Chili Fiesta, Sept. 24-Oct. 1, Santa Fe, N.M.
www.santafewineandchile.org
Comal County Fair, Sept. 26-Oct. 1, New Braunfels
www.comalcountyfair.org
Texas Country Music Awards, Sept. 28, Carthage
www.texascountrymusic.org
Galveston Bay Songwriters Festival, Sept. 28-Oct.1, Kemah
www.galvestonbaysongwriters.com
Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love, Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Marfa
www.elcosmico.com
Oktoberfest, Sept. 29, Boerne
www.visitboerne.org
Big Country Balloon Fest, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Abilene
www.bigcountryballoonfest.org
River Revival Music Festival, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, New Braunfels
www.splicerecordstx.com/events/river-revival
State Fair of Texas, Sept. 29-Oct. 22, Dallas
www.bigtex.com
Galveston Island Wild Texas Shrimp Festival, Sept. 29-30, Galveston
www.galvestonshrimpfestival.com
Georgetown Wine & Music Festival, Sept. 30, Georgetown
www.thegeorgetownsquare.com
Lantern Fest, Sept. 30, Paige
www.thelanternfest.com
Beetles, Brew & Barbecue, Sept. 30, Tomball
www.tomballtx.gov
National Public Lands Day, Free Entry, Sept. 30, Various locations
www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm
Beachtoberfest, Sept. 30-Oct. 28, Port Aransas
www.portaransas.org/beachtoberfest
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Gerald E. McLeod, June 1, 2023
Gerald E. McLeod, May 16, 2023
