Texans love to stage a show, and planners can spice up agendas by incorporating some of the state’s unique celebrations. Following are some highlights of the Lone Star State’s festival and event lineup.
The grand daddy of ‘em all is the State Fair of Texas (www.bigtex.com), scheduled this year for Sept. 28 to Oct. 21. Still held at historic Dallas Fair Park where it was founded in 1886, the annual expo-ganza draws an estimated 3 million visitors every year. Big even by Texas standards, the fair features a full-blown auto show with 300,000 square feet of new model vehicles; the Texas Star, North America’s largest Ferris wheel; and, since 1952, the watchful gaze of the 52-foot-tall cowboy statue known as “Big Tex.” Texas plays Oklahoma in the annual showcase football game, and calorie-watchers beware; the cuisine is deep-fried, including the legendary corn dogs that were invented for the State Fair of Texas in 1942.
Indulgence is also encouraged at the annual San Antonio New World Wine & Food Festival (www.newworldwinefood.org), a five-day feast featuring a taste of Texas, Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Emphasizing the region’s Old World roots, local and internationally known chefs and winemakers offer attendees a vast diversity of cuisine and wine while also showcasing a broad spectrum of Texas agricultural products. This year’s festival is set for Nov. 7-11.
Austin’s annual South by Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Festival (www.sxsw.com) is a huge industry draw—which means few, if any, available hotel rooms. Just as New Orleans’ Mardi Gras has its more egalitarian Jazz Fest, Austin’s more accessible bet is the annual Austin City Limits Music Festival (www.aclfest.com). Staged in downtown’s Zilker Park, the 2007 edition of the three-day, eight-stage event, scheduled to take place Sept. 14-16, will feature 130 bands, including top names such as Bob Dylan, The White Stripes and Bjork.
Celebrating its 50th birthday this year, the Mesquite Championship Rodeo (www.mesquiterodeo.com) at the Resistol Arena in Mesquite is a perennial group favorite. Located only 15 minutes from downtown Dallas, the rodeo runs every Friday and Saturday night from April to September and features the classic events, like bull and bronco riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and chuck wagon races.
Also near Dallas is the city of Plano, home to the annual Plano Balloon Festival (www.planoballoonfest.org), scheduled this year for Sept. 21-23. Upwards of 70,000 attendees are expected for the 2007 edition, which will feature Elvis impersonator Kraig Parker, fireworks and, of course, the kaleidoscopic spectacle of hot-air balloons filling the Plano skies.
The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival (www.austinchronicle.com) is another noteworthy Texas celebration. Started in 1990, it has become the world’s largest event for those who love the hot stuff. More than 100 gallons of hot sauce are consumed by as many as 15,000 spectators each August, who come for live music and fiery offerings from over 350 entrants.
Also in August, Marble Falls in the Texas Hill Country is the site of the three-day LakeFest Drag Boat Race (www.marblefallslakefest.com), where since 1992 crowds have been thrilled by the spectacle of more than 120 boats racing at speeds of over 240 miles per hour.
