South Texas Plains Region

Please note that prices, dates, telephone numbers and hours are subject to change. Please call ahead before making plans.

| January | February | March | April | May | June | September | October | November | December |

January

January 26 - February 19, 2006 - FESTIVAL - Laredo: Washington's Birthday Celebration. One of the biggest and oldest celebrations of the first president's birthday. Celebrating since 1898. This event is a unique mixture of a Mexican fiesta and a Fourth of July celebration - an opportunity for everyone to experience 29 events in 25 fun-filled days in pleasant Laredo, TX. Activities include parades, pageants, street parties in Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, concerts, carnival, children's Fun Fest, fireworks, Jalapeno Festival and more. Call for times and costs. Location: Around the city of Laredo. Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 50,000. For more information, call 956-722-0589 or visit www.wbcalaredo.org. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually around George Washington's Birthday.

January 27-29, 2006 - FESTIVAL - Laredo: Fourth Annual Laredo International Sister Cities Festival. Laredo's twenty sister cities from around the world include cities from Mexico, Spain, China, Taiwan, Argentina and Australia. In celebration of Laredo's unique relationship with these international siblings, the City of Laredo invites the world to partake in the International Sister Cities Festival. The festival features an EXPO with products for sale and displays from each of the participating cities. Exotic flowers, embroidered textiles, wrought iron, wood furniture, silver jewelry and more will be available for purchase. Time: 10am. Cost: FREE. Location: 2400 San Bernardo, Laredo. Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 50,000. For more information, call 1-800-361-3360 or visit www.laredosistercities.com. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, last weekend in January.

February

(January 26) thru February 19, 2006 - FESTIVAL - Laredo: Washington's Birthday Celebration. One of the biggest and oldest celebrations of the first president's birthday. Celebrating since 1898. This event is a unique mixture of a Mexican fiesta and a Fourth of July celebration - an opportunity for everyone to experience 29 events in 25 fun-filled days in pleasant Laredo, TX. Activities include parades, pageants, street parties in Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, concerts, carnival, children's Fun Fest, fireworks, Jalapeno Festival and more. Call for times and costs. Location: Around the city of Laredo. Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 50,000. For more information, call 956-722-0589 or visit www.wbcalaredo.org. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually around George Washington's Birthday.

February 3-19, 2006 - SPORTING EVENT - San Antonio: Stock Show & Rodeo. Features a family fair, carnival, livestock shows, rodeo and named entertainers. Location: SBC Center & Freeman-Coliseum Grounds. For more information visit www.sarodeo.com or call 210-225-5851. Region: South Texas Plains. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually.

February 25, 2006 - EXHIBIT - Munday: 11th Annual Knox Prairie Cotton Pickin' Quilt Show. We have over 100 quilts, many vendors, an excellent home cooked meal for $5 per person, and we also offer some classes and demonstrations. While you are in Munday, be sure and stop in at our local antique, craft, and quilt stores. We also have local lodging as well. Time: 10am-4pm. Cost: $2 per person. Location: Munday Elementary School, 1111 West Main Highway 222, Munday, Texas 76371. Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 940-422-4540. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, last Saturday in February.

March

March 3-5, 2006 - FESTIVAL - Hidalgo: BorderFest 2006. The largest music, culture and heritage celebration in South Texas, now in its 29th year. Attendance at the 2004 event exceeded 50,000, and in 2005 will be dedicated to the Rio Grande Valley, with its great diversity, and vast resources of talent, arts and crafts, food and color, and happy smiling faces. Time: 12 noon - 12 midnight. Cost: $6 and $8. Location: Dodge Arena and grounds SH 336 (10th Street). Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: 50,000 - 200,000. For more information, call 956 843-2734. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually.

April

April 1, 2006 - FESTIVAL - Weslaco: Texas Rio Grande Valley Onion Fest. Events include the onion-clipping contest; onion-eating contest and an onion recipe contest that will be taking place earlier in the week. There will be musical performances by local bands and two horse shows by Mid-Valley Stables. New to the event this year will be a cook-off competition called "La Gran Cebolla". Food, arts & crafts and commercial booths are now available. Time: 10am-7pm. Location: Weslaco City Park 300 N. Airport Dr. Weslaco, TX 78539. Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 956-968-2102. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, 1st weekend in April.

April 1, 2006 - FESTIVAL - Yorktown: Fiesta En La Calle. Free, Family Fun! Festival includes free street dances, Kid Zone (Giant Inflatable Activities), Jalapeno Eating contest, Bar BQ cook-off, softball tournament, continuous live musical performances, Folklorico dance performances, arts/crafts/food booths and much more. Time: 10am - Midnight. Cost: Free. Location: 130 North Riedel Street. Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 50,000. For more information, call 361-564-2661. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, 1st Saturday in April.

April 7-9, 2006 - FESTIVAL - Poteet: Poteet Strawberry Festival. The Festival is recognized as the largest agricultural fete in Texas. The 95-acre site which is located on Hwy. 16, 30 minutes south of San Antonio, offers free parking, clean public restrooms, handicapped accessibility, complete RV facilities, and tent covered activities. The Festival includes ten areas of continuous family entertainment featuring concerts with nationally known Country & Western and Tejano stars, dancers, gunslingers, clowns, puppets, regional bands, various contests, and rodeo performances. Admission: $7, children under 10 are free. Grounds will open at 6pm Friday and at 10am both Saturday and Sunday. Region: South Texas Plains. For more information, call 830-742-8144. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually in April.

April 25-28, 2006 - FESTIVAL - San Antonio: A Night in Old San Antonio. Annual celebration of San Antonio's heritage held each year during the week of Fiesta. International cultures, foods and entertainment are featured in 15 areas of the historic downtown village of La Villita along the River Walk. Time: 5:30-10:30pm. Cost: $8 in Advance, $10 at Gate. Location: La Villita. Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 210-226-5188. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually in April.

April 26-30, 2006 - OTHER EVENT - San Antonio: North American Bluebird Society Convention, "Red, White & Bluebirds." Honors and promotes bluebirds and other native cavity-nesting species including Ivory-billed Woodpecker and Chimney Swifts. Texas Hill Country field trips (birds, bats, natural history, popular tourist attractions), presentations, workshops, and special events with an accent on Mexican free-tailed bats. Speakers include David Luneau, "The King of Natural Cavities: The Ivory-billed Woodpecker; Dr. Gary McCracken, "Bats Attack Insects Over Texas...Billions Perish!!!; June Osborne, "Treasures of the Texas Hill Country"; and, Keith Kridler, "Bluebird Tales of Texas." Time: Activities throughout the day each day. Cost: $47 member/$55 non-member (or $30/35 for just one day), additional fees for optional field trips and events. Location: San Antonio Airport Hilton, 611 N.W. Loop 410 (near San Pedro). Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 50,000. For more information, call 512-268-5678 or visit www.NABS2006.com. Please mention this listing when inquiring.

May

May 12-14, 2006 - FESTIVAL - Freer: Freer Rattlesnake Round Up. Join us at the Freer Cactus Corral for the biggest Party in Texas featuring concerts with nationally known country western and Tejano artists. Fun for the whole family including carnival, parade, arts/crafts, stage shows, dare devil snake show, fried rattlesnake meat, talent contest & much more. Region: South Texas Plains. Time: Fri 5:30pm-midnight, Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-6pm. Cost: $10 adult, $5 under age 12, parking $2. Admission and parking are free on Sunday. For More Information, please call 361-394-6891. Held annually.

May 27-29, 2006 - FESTIVAL - San Antonio: Return Of The Chili Queens. A return to that historical and colorful time in Market Square when the Chili Queens set out their tables in the open plazas and served their traditional foods and chili con carne. Sponsored by the El Mercado Merchants Association. Free. Location: Market Square, 514 W. Commerce St. Region: South Texas Plains. For more information, call 210-207-8600. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, Memorial Day weekend.

June

June 8-11, 2006 - FESTIVAL- San Antonio: 35th Annual Texas Folklife Festival. Ethnic groups representing 40 countries of the world come together to share mouth-watering cuisine, traditional dances, homespun tales, lively music and more. Location: San Antonio, Institute of Texan Cultures at the corner of Bowie Street and Durango Boulevard on HemisFair Park in downtown San Antonio. Region: South Texas Plains. For additional information, call (210)458-2390. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually.

June 18-24, 2006 - OTHER EVENT - San Antonio: Miss Rodeo Texas Pageant. The Miss Rodeo Texas pageant is the qualifying state of Texas pageant for the Miss Rodeo America pageant. These Rodeo Queens are the ambassadors for the National Sport of Texas- Rodeo. The ladies are judged on their horsemanship riding ability, equine knowledge, rodeo knowledge as well as personality and appearance. Location: San Pedro Theatre. Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 210-349-5935. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, third week in June.

September

September 2-3, 2006 - FESTIVAL - Uvalde: Palomino Fest. The festival includes continuous family entertainment featuring a ranch rodeo, Country and Tejano music from various artists including Los Palominos and La Mafia. Time: Sat & Sun 2pm - 12 Midnight. Cost: $10; Children 10 & under free. Free parking. Location: Uvalde Fairgrounds on Hwy. 90, 75 minutes west of San Antonio at the foothills of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 830-278-5359 or 830-591-7351, or visit www.palominofest.com. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, Labor Day Weekend.

September 8-9, 2006 - FESTIVAL - Sweet Home: 6th Annual Sweet Home Music Fest. Come visit us in beautiful Downtown, Sweet Home, Texas. The proceeds support our local school, Volunteer Fire Dept., and other community causes. As the festival continues to grow, we add attractions to accommodate the entire family. The event will start on Friday evening with a free outdoor concert. Then Saturday the fun continues with a barbecue cook off, car, truck, & motorcycle show, arts and crafts, horseshoe tournament, food, games, and an entire day & night of live original music. There will be space available for camping so we invite everyone to join us for the campfire pickin' parties & song swaps all weekend long. Location: FM 531. Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 250,000. To inquire about sponsorship, event entry, or further information Contact John Reeves 361-293-5759 or visit www.sweethomemusicfest.org. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, 2nd Weekend in September.

October

October 12-15, 2006 - FAIR - Seguin: Guadalupe County Fair and PRCA Rodeo. Family fun and PRCA rodeo. Location: Guadalupe County Fair Grounds Austin St, Seguin, Texas. Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 830-379-6477. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, 2nd weekend in October.

October 13-15, 2006 - FESTIVAL - Cuero: 34th Annual Cuero Turkeyfest. A celebration of which the North Star, Worthington, Minnesota and the Lone Star, Cuero, Texas, come together for the 2nd heat of a friendly rivalry of the Great Gobbler Gallop. The kick-off dance on Friday starts the weekend off with featured artist Dean Seltzer & the Redneck Mothers. Join us at 10am Saturday to see which Turkey claims the title for their city as the "Turkey Capitol of the World". After the parade downtown Esplanade it's up to the city park where the action takes place, featuring dances and live entertainment under covered pavilion. Also, for your enjoyment you're guaranteed lots of food, beer pen, arts & crafts, lawn mower races, PRCA Rodeo, and much more. Discover a little history at the South Texas Wheel Spinners Tractor Show, authentic Dutch Oven Cooking and Living History. Children's activities include a Kiddy Parade and Tractor Pull, Rock Wall Climbing and Carnival. Location: Cuero City Park. Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 361-275-2112. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, 2nd Weekend in October.

October 19-22, 2006 - FESTIVAL - Mission: 11th Annual Texas Butterfly Festival. You are cordially invited to experience nature at it best. You will enjoy expertly guided field trips; learn about butterflies from internationally-renowned speakers, a butterfly/nature expo, a South Texas BBQ Dinner, and much more. Location: Mission Park and Recreation Department, 721 N Bryan Rd. Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 1-800-580-2700 or log on to www.texasbutterfly.com. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, 3rd weekend in October.

October 21, 2006 - SPORTING EVENT - Goliad: 15th Annual Missions Tour de Goliad Bike Ride. The 10, 30, 50 and 85-mile riders pedal through gently rolling hills of scenic farm and ranch country, riding past century old live oaks and through the beauty of rural country communities. Visit our quaint town square shops filled with arts, crafts, antiques, souvenirs, fashion apparel, Gourmet Texas food and much more. Time: 8am. Cost: $20 before Oct. 12; family of 4 or more $15 before Oct. 12. Location: 131 S. Courthouse Square. Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 50,000. For more information, call 800-848-8674. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, 3rd Saturday in October.

October 21, 2006 - FESTIVAL - Seguin: 4th Annual Texas Collectors Pottery Show. Large collections of both historic and contemporary pottery will be on display and for sale. Knowledgeable exhibitors will be on hand to discuss the history of the early Texas potters. Time: 9am-4pm. Cost: Free admission. Location: Guadalupe County Court House Central Park Square - Seguin Texas 78155. Region: South Texas Plains. Average attendance: under 50,000. For more information, call 830-996-3608 after 6pm. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, 3rd weekend in October.

November

November 3-4, 2006 - FESTIVAL - George West: 18th Annual George West Storyfest. Join us for this annual family-oriented festival featuring a Chuckwagon Dinner, storytelling, cowboy poets, music, craft demonstrations, historic re-enactments, tropical rainforest exhibit, arts & crafts, children's activity area, food, street dance and much, much more. Free Admission. Time: 10am-1am. Location: Live Oak County Courthouse Square, downtown George West. Region: South Texas Plains. For more info call 888-600-3121 or visit www.georgeweststoryfest.org. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually in November.