Day Trips & Beyond: March Events Roundup
Stack rocks, meet the Hulk, and celebrate the Lone Star State
By Gerald E. McLeod, 7:00AM, Sat. Mar. 3, 2018
Spring is here and it’s time to celebrate our independence from socks and long pants while looking for the first wildflowers.
Remember Texas independence! Remember the Alamo! It all started 182 years ago this month. In the rough hamlet of Washington on the Brazos, the Texans declared independence from Mexico on March 2. (Which just happened to be General Sam Houston’s birthday, too.) At the same time less than 200 miles away the garrison of Texans in San Antonio were barricaded in an old mission. The Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site celebrates the anniversary, March 3-4, with a weekend of fun, re-enactments, and a new exhibit at the Star of the Republic Museum. In San Antonio the daily ceremonies at the Alamo are a bit more solemn leading up to the anniversary of the final day of the battle on March 6.
Travel Notes:
In Grenwelge Park, below the dam on the Llano River, the river reverts to its native rocky channels. It is the perfect place to hold the World Rock Stacking Championship in conjunction with the Llano Earth Art Fest, March 9-12. Professional and amateur rock stackers and balance artists will compete for honors in balance, arches, quantity, and artistry. After trying their hand at rock stacking, visitors can enjoy the music and children’s activities, have an adult beverage and stick their toes in the river. Admission is $10 in advance, $15 at the gate with children under 15 free.
March 19-21, Llano Earth Art Fest, Llano, www.llanoearthartfest.org.
So you think you’re a pinball wizard? Try your hand at more than 400 vintage and new pinball machines at the Texas Pinball Festival in Frisco, March 16-18. One of the largest such events in the U.S., the Texas conference brings electronic and mechanical games together from around the world, plus an appearance by “The Incredible Hulk” himself – Lou Ferrigno. March 16-18, Texas Pinball Festival, Frisco, www.texaspinball.com/tpf.
Other March Events:
Ingram Farmers Market and Artisan Fair
March 1, Ingram, www.facebook.com/IFAMTX
Fulton Oysterfest
March 1-4, Fulton, www.fultonoysterfest.org
The Alamo Battle Commemoration
March 1-7, San Antonio, www.thealamo.org/visit/events/commemoration
Texas Independence Day Celebration
March 2, Gruene, www.gruenetexas.com
Gen. Sam Houston’s Birthday & Texas Independence Day
March 2, Huntsville, www.huntsvilletexas.com
Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering
March 2-3, Alpine, www.texascowboypoetry.com
North Texas Irish Festival
March 2-4, Dallas, www.ntif.org
Texas Birthday Bash
March 2-3, Navasota, www.texasbirthdaybash.com
Texas Music Festival
March 3, Friendswood, www.fdfa.org
Cultural Kite Festival
March 3, Sugar Land, www.sugarlandtx.gov/920/Cultural-Kite-Festival
Texas Independence Day Celebration
March 3-4, Washington-on-the-Brazos, www.wheretexasbecametexas.org
Llano Earth Art Fest
March 4-5, Llano, www.llanoearthfest.org
Texas Storytelling Festival
March 8-11, Denton, www.tejasstorytelling.com
Best Little Cowboy Gathering
March 9-10, La Grange, www.bestlittlecowboygathering.org
Texas Fly Fishing & Brew Festival
March 10-11, Plano, www.txflyfishingfestival.org
John Knox Ranch Open House
March 10, Wimberley, www.johnknoxranch.org
Season Opening Day
March 10-11, Garfield, www.nlandsurfpark.com
Second Sunday Music Fest
March 11, Bandera, www.banderacowboycapital.com
World Class Bloodless Bullfights
March 11, La Gloria, www.fredrenk.com
Rio Frio Fest
March 14-18, Concan, www.visituvaldecounty.com/events/2017/rio-frio-fest-2018
Herb Forum
March 16-17, Round Top, www.festivalhill.org
St. Patrick’s Day Festival & River Parade
March 16-17. San Antonio, www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com
Texas Pinball Festival
March 16-18, Frisco, www.texaspinball.com/tpf
Azalea & Spring Flower Trail
March 16-Apr. 1, Tyler, www.visittyler.com/azaleatrail
Spring Equinox Concert
March 17, Boerne, www.cavewithoutaname.com
Hidden Dallas Tour
March 17, Dallas, www.dallasbychocolate.com
St. Patrick’s Day Party at St. Arnold
March 17, Houston, www.saintarnold.com
Luckenbach Mud Dauber Festival & Chili Cookoff
March 17, Luckenbach, www.luckenbachtexas.com
Antique Tractor Pull & 42 Domino Tournament
March 17, Seguin, www.texagedu.org
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17, Surfside Beach, www.beachblarney.com
Texas Food Truck Showdown
March 17, Waco, www.thetexasfoodtruckshowdown.com
Travel & Adventure Show
March 17-18, www.travelshows.com/shows/dallas
Madison County Fair
March 17-24, Madisonville, www.mcfa.net
Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival
March 21-25, New Orleans, http://tennesseewilliams.net
Dulcimer Festival
March 22-24, Palestine, www.oldpalmusic.com
Thunder in the Hill Country Biker Rally
March 22-25, Bandera, www.banderacowboycapital.com
South Texas State Fair
March 22-Apr. 1, Beaumont, www.ymbl.org
Fountainwood Observatory Public Nights
March 23, Georgetown, www.southwestern.edu/offices/observatory
Outlaws & Legends Music Fest
March 23-24, Abilene, www.outlawsandlegends.com
Texas Dogwood Trails
March 23-25, March 30-Apr. 1, Apr. 6-8, Palestine, www.texasdogwoodtrails.com
Magnolia Brass Band Festival
March 24, Beaumont, www.laMarchedu/events/2018/03/magnolia-brass-band-festival.html
Hill Country Indian Artifact Show
March 24, Fredericksburg, www.hillcountryindianartifacts.com
Ocean Discovery Day
March 24, Galveston, www.flowergarden.noaa.gov/education/oceandiscoveryday.html
Bacon & Brew Fest
March 24, Huntsville, www.huntsvillemainstreet.com
Gov. Hogg’s Birthday Celebration & Easter Egg Hunt
March 24, West Columbia, www.visitvarnerhoggplantation.com
Red River Wine & Beer Festival
March 24, Wichita Falls, www.redriverwineandbeerfestival.com
Living History Weekend
March 24-25, College Station, www.americangimuseum.org
Wings over South Texas
March 24-25, Kingsville, www.wingsoversouthtexas.com
SpringFest
March 24-25, Spring, www.oldtownspring.com
Round Top Antique Week
March 27-31, Round Top, www.roundtop-marburger.com
Southfork Fan Day
March 30, Dallas, www.southforkranch.com
Alpine Gem & Mineral Show
March 30-Apr. 1, Alpine, www.visitalpinetx.com
Easter Fires
March 31, Fredericksburg, www.gillespiefair.net
Cajun Cookoff
March 31, Jonestown, www.lagovista.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.
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Gerald E. McLeod, Dec. 1, 2023
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Day Trips, travel, Alamo, pinball
