Texas in October : Festivals, Rides and Races

Maybe it is the first whiff of cool air or maybe its just because we are so ready for fall, but October is a big month for festivals, fairs and rallies in Texas.

Ongoing Eight Weeks in October and November
Texas Renaissance Festival, Magnolia
Step back into time and enjoy the sights (jousts), sounds (flutes and harps), food (giant Turkey legs) and drink (ale and mead) in this 16th-century British village. With 22 stages and more than 200 performances daily. Visit more than 330 shops with unique arts and crafts. Each weekend has a different theme. Map.

October 5-7
Round Top Folk Art Fair
Folk Art Fair exhibitors work in original, colonial and traditional styles and have their work represented in Folk Art Museums and gallery collections throughout the nation.

October 6-8
Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg celebrates its German heritage through Oktoberfest. Oompah music at its best. German music, food and drink, arts and crafts, children’s area and family fun.

October 6-8
Music and Wine Fest at Gruenehall
Gruene Hall is the oldest continually running dance hall in Texas, and the Central Texas birthplace to many great songwriters and musicians. Enjoy Jerry Jeff Walker, Leon Russell and the best wine in Texas. Oh, the food is good too!

October 6-8
Rockport-Fulton Sea Fair
Rockport Seafair is a sea-themed fun festival that features live entertainment, over 120 vendors, Gumbo Cook-Off, Seafood Cooking classes and demonstrations, carnival, information about the coast, parade and more!

October 11-14
Fort Stockton-Marathon Road Runner Open Road Race
The RRORR is a competitive motor sports event on from Ft. Stockton to Marathon and return on Hwy 385. See the schedule here.

October 13-15
9th annual Ride for Trails Motorcycle Rally includes scenic rides through Big Bend Country, a poker run, bike games, 50/50 raffle a dance and more. Money raised from the rally is used to support youth groups and maintain hiking trails throughout Big Bend National Park.

October 14
Fall Festival at the East Texas Arboretum, Athens
Live community entertainment for the young and old, creative arts and craft booths, camping and outdoor booths, children area, Art Show sponsored by the Henderson County Art Club, tractor-trailer rides, dog show, trail tours and more!

October 14-15 and October 21-22
5th Annual Pumpkin Festival, Elgin
Live Bluegrass music, scenic hayrides, great fall pumpkin photo opportunities, tricycle maze, hay maze, hay jump, antique tractors, play area and activities for kids. Extra large, Jack-o-lantern, mini and pie pumpkins for sale, pumpkin decorating, pumpkin baked goods, Elgin sausage and other eats.

October 21
Third annual Chocolate Lovers Festival, Lexington
Start your day with a chocolate-chip pancake breakfast, then work it off with a 5K Rotary Fun-Run! Participate in pie-throwing, pie-eating and ice-cream eating contest and chocolate tug of war. Kids can play on chocolate Slip and Slide while you sample chocolate goodies at booths and restaurants on the Square. Link to map.

October 21
Rope for a Cure/Kelsi Robinson Memorial Roping, Uvalde
The 2006 Rope for a Cure date has been set and also has a new name, additional events and double proceed benefactors for this fundraiser.

October 21-22
Boo Benefit Motorcycle Rally, Jefferson
Boo Benefit, as always, supports the Percy R. Johnson Burn Foundation, sponsor of Camp Im Still Me. All proceeds aid burn survivors and their families. This year the raffle is for 2006 H/D Street Glide FLHXI and Diamond C Deluxe Trailer!

October 27-29
The 34th annual Czhilispiel Festival, Flatonia
A three day heritage festival with entertainment, arts and crafts, food, carnival and music! Czhilispiel hosts exciting cook-off competitions for Czhili (silent z) and BBQ. So get your teams together, get your best recipes and join us!

October 27-29
Rock Art Foundation Rendezvous . The Galloway White Shaman Preserve is located on US Hwy 90 West at the Pecos River See this blog post for information on Rock Art.

October 28
2nd Annual Rockin’ Jail House Festival, Lockhart
Arts, crafts, food, drink, music, jail escape and gunfight reenactment on the Caldwell County Historical Museum grounds on Market Street in Lockhart.

October 31-November 4
Terlingua International Chili Championship Cookoff,
This grandaddy of all chili cookoffs is held at Rancho CASI de los Chisos on the North side of Highway 170, eleven miles West of Study Butte and 7 miles East of Lajitas.

These are just a few of the many opportunities for fun, festivities, food and music in Texas. Search for your particular area of interest or geographical location at TravelTex.com, the official tourism website for Texas.

Tags: oktober fests, motorcycle rallies, october festivals, Terlingua chili cookoff, road race,Texas Renaissance Festival