Day Trips & Beyond: July Events Roundup
Balmorhea is back, baby!
By Gerald E. McLeod, 8:00AM, Sat. Jun. 29, 2019
Summer’s heating up with lots of festivals, music, and a horse race or two.
Balmorhea Swimming Pool is again squelching the West Texas desert heat. As most of the world knows, the state park was closed in May 2018 after erosion to the pool wall was discovered near the high diving board. The pool reopened on March 1 after more than 575 donations raised the $2 million needed to make the repairs. A few weeks later a drainage gate got stuck open and the pool built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps was closed again until early June. Because of the high volume of visitors to the world’s largest spring-fed natural swimming area, the park is limiting the number of swimmers to 900 per day. If you plan on experiencing the cool waters it is advisable to get there early or purchase a “Save the Date” pass before arriving. The campground and San Solomon Courts are still closed for repairs.
Open daily 8am-7:30pm, Toyahvale, 432/375-2370, www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea
Driving around Houston is always a thrill, to say the least. You never know what you might see around the next corner as you navigate the streets and byways. Now there is something to look for as you head down Allen Parkway between Waugh Drive and Montrose Boulevard. There is a new sign on one of the more scenic roadways in Space City. The Buffalo Bayou Partnership has placed a solar-powered LED message board by Brooklyn artist and environment activist Justin Brice Guariglia that draws attention to global warming through poetry, metaphor, and humor. Watch for its nine thought-provoking messages.
Through Aug. 31, We Are the Asteroid III, Allen Parkway, Houston, www.buffalobayou.org
Travel Notes:
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, presents “Shooting the Moon: Photographs from the Museum’s Collection of 50 Years after Apollo 11,” July 20-Sept. 2. The installation features 40 photographs ranging from documentary images of NASA’s mission to the moon to fanciful pictures including a 19th-century portrait of a man in a solar themed costume.
Kirchman Gallery in Johnson City closed at the end of June. The gallery which sponsored the monthly art walk will reopen sometime this fall. The space on the courthouse square will become Susan Kirchman’s studio and gallery with guest artists appearing monthly.
Other July Events:
Hatchling Releases of Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles
July 1-Aug. 31, Corpus Christi, 361-949-7163, www.nps.gov/pais
Abendkonzert
July 2, 16, 30, Boerne, www.visitboerne.org
Swing Dance Lessons
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Gruene, www.gruenehall.com
Wayback Wednesdays
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Goliad, www.presidiolabahia.org
Robert Earl Keen’s Fourth on the River
July 4, Kerrville, www.robertearlkeens4th.com
Fourth of July Fireworks
July 4, Rockport-Fulton, www.rockport-fulton.org
Independence Day in Round Top
July 4, Round Top, www.roundtop.com/round-top-independence-day-fourth-july
Summerfest
July 4, San Marcos, www.summerfestsmtx.com
Coolest Fourth of July
July 4-6, Fort Davis, www.fortdavis.com
East Texas Country Music Festival
July 4-6, Grapeland, www.etcmf.com
VFW CPRA Rodeo
July 4-6, Wimberley, www.texasvfw.net
Thunder Over Cedar Creek Lake Air Show and Warbird Expo
July 4-7, Cedar Creek Lake, www.ccveteransfoundation.org
Thoroughbred Racing
July 4-21, Grand Prairie, www.lonestarpark.com
Texas Shakespeare Festival
July 4-28, Kilgore, www.texasshakespeare.com
“Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”
July 5-21, Wimberley, www.wimberleyplayers.org
Gary P. Nunn’s Retirement Tour
July 6, Blanco, www.twinsistersdancehall.com
Terri Hendrix with Lloyd Maines Concert in the Cave
July 6, Boerne, www.cavewithoutaname.com
Fischer & Weiser’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
July 6, Fredericksburg, www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/events/fischer-wieser-50th-anniversary-celebration
Barrel Room Tour
July 6, Houston, www.saintarnold.com/barrel-room-tours
Open Car and Motorcycle Show
July 6, Kerrville, www.kerrvilletexascvb.com/events/2019/21st-annual-open-car--motorcycle-show(2)
Rock’n Riverfest
July 6, Llano, www.llanorocknriverfest.com
Market Days
July 6, Wimberley, www.shopmarketdays.com
Art Festival
July 6-7, Rockport, www.rockportartfest.com
Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing
July 6-7, 20-21, Fredericksburg, www.gillespiefair.com
Saturday Night Rodeo
July 6, 13, 20, 27, Bulverde, www.tejasrodeo.com
Free Sandcastle Building Lessons at Stewart Beach
July 6, 13, 20, 27, Galveston, www.galveston.com/blog/598/free-sandcastle-building-lessons-at-stewart-beach
Harvest Grape Stomp
July 6-Sept. 1, Brenham, www.windywinery.com
Frida Fanatics Festival
July 7, Corpus Christi, www.fb.com/events/2272736349669762
Cactus Pear Music Festival
July 10-21, San Antonio, Boerne, New Braunfels, Wimberley, www.cpmf.us
Fridafest
July 12-13, Edinburg, www.edinburgarts.com/frida
Sealybration
July 12-13, Sealy, www.sealycommunityfoundation.org
Red River Balloon Rally
July 12-13, Shreveport, La., www.redriverballoonrally.com
Windy City Smokeout
July 12-14, Chicago, Ill., www.windycitysmokeout.com
International Sister Cities Festival
July 12-14, Laredo, www.visitlaredo.com
International Folk Art Market
July 12-14, Santa Fe, N.M., www.folkartmarket.org
Balcones Heights Jazz Festival
July 12, 19, 26, Aug. 2, San Antonio, www.sanantoniocentral.org
Davis Mountains Preserve Open Weekend
July 12-14, Fort Davis, www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/volunteer-and-attend-events/find-local-events-and-opportunities/davis-mountains-open-days
Incredible Insects
July 13, Johnson City, www.sciencemill.org
Morning Grape Harvest & Stomp
July 13, Santa Fe, Texas, www.haakwine.com
Parker County Peach Festival
July 13, Weatherford, www.peachfestivaltx.com
Marine Biology Tours
July 13, 27, Galveston, www.galvestonhistory.org
Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist
July 14, Gruene, www.gruenehall.com
Tex-Mex Barbecue Block Party at Saint Arnold’s
July 14, Houston, www.eventbrite.com/e/tex-mex-bbq-block-party-2019-tickets-62138819883
Saddle Up Sunday
July 14, San Antonio, www.texancultures.com
Come and Taste It – Meet Texas’ Best Winemakers
July 18, Gruene, www.grapevineingruene.com
Shakespeare at Winedale
July 18-Aug. 11, Round Top, www.liberalarts.utexas.edu/winedale/events/index.php
Independence Creek Preserve Open Weekend
July 19-21, Sheffield, www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/volunteer-and-attend-events/find-local-events-and-opportunities/independence-creek-preserve-open-days
Route 66 Summerfest
July 20, Albuquerque, N.M., www.cabq.gov
Blues and Butterflies Music Festival
July 20, Boerne, www.therounduptx.com/events/blues-butterflies-music-festival
Plumeria Society Annual Sale
July 20, Corpus Christi, www.plumeriasocietyofsouthtexas.com
Wingapalooza
July 20, Corpus Christi, www.wingapaloozacc.com
Night in Old Fredericksburg
July 20, Fredericksburg, www.gillespiefair.com
Apollo 11 Anniversary Celebration
July 20, Houston, www.spacecenter.org
Bird Banding
July 20, Lake Jackson, www.gcbo.org
Crush for Fun
July 20-21, 27-28, Aug. 10-11, Brenham, www.pleasanthillwinery.com
“Salado Legends”
July 20, 27, Aug. 3, Salado, www.tablerock.org
Cheeseburger Festival
July 21, Friona, www.friona-chamber.com
Great Texas Mosquito Festival
July 25-27, Clute, www.mosquitofestival.com
Watermelon Festival
July 25-27, Naples, www.city-of-naples-texas.com/watermelonfestival.html
Viva Big Bend Music Festival
July 25-28, Alpine-Ft. Davis-Marfa-Marathon, www.vivabigbend.com
National Day of the American Cowboy
July 26-27, Bandera, www.banderacowboycapital.com
Great Texas Balloon Race
July 26-28, Longview, www.greattexasballoonrace.com
Moonlit Harvest
July 26, Aug. 10, Bryan, www.messinahof.com
National Day of the American Cowboy
July 27, Amarillo, www.aqha.com/aqha.com/programs-and-events-overview1
All the Books Author Event
July 27, Houston, www.allthebooksevent.wixsite.com/atbevent
Butterfield Festival
July 27, Monahans, www.monahans.org
Watermelon Fest
July 27, Wichita Falls, www.downtownwf.com
Grape Stomp
July 27, Seguin, www.bluelotuswinery.com
Daytime Harvest Festival
July 27, Aug. 3, 10, 17, 31, Bryan, www.messinahof.com
Traditional Spanish Market
July 27-28, Santa Fe, NM, www.spanishcolonial.org/spanish-summer-market-santa-fe
Food Truck Festival
July 29, Luckenbach, www.luckenbachtexas.com
Shark Week
July 31-Aug. 4, Johnson City, www.sciencemill.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.
A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.
Gerald E. McLeod, Sept. 1, 2023
Gerald E. McLeod, Aug. 2, 2023
Sept. 29, 2023
Sept. 22, 2023
Day Trips, Balmorhea Swimming Pool, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Justin Brice Guariglia, We Are the Asteroid III, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Apollo 11, Kirchman Gallery, Susan Kirchman
