Just south of Corpus Christi, is one of the oldest and largest ranches in Texas, the King Ranch.  Stretching over 825,000 acres and several counties, the King Ranch provides many opportunities to observe ranch life as it was in the past and as it has evolved.

On November 22, 2008, visit the King Ranch and enjoy a ranch hand breakfast, complete with eggs, refried beans, biscuits ‘n gravy, sausage and tortillas cooked in the great outdoors.  Listen to cowboy music while you watch team roping, horseshoeing, rawhide braiding and camp cooking demonstrations.  This is one of a few opportunities to enjoy cowboy poetry and storytelling as well.

Visit the King Ranch website for more information on this event. The Ranch Hand Breakfast held in November on the Saturday before Thanksgiving – 7 am to 11 am. Tickets are $6, ages 3 and under are free.

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Jazz has a long and distinguished history in Texas. Like most genres of music developed here, the music has its roots in many cultures. That is why you really should go to at least one of these festivals. The fest in Brownsville will provide an opportunity to hear all the types of Jazz music as it developed south of the border and then migrated to Texas.

Brownsville 12th Annual Latin Festival

October 9-12, 2008
Various venues in and around Brownsville, Texas

Brownsville Texas is celebrating its 12th Annual Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival with more Grammy Award Winners and Nominees than ever, the World Salsa Dance Champions, free music clinics, free dance lessons, art shows, after-show jams and the premier Salsa dance event of the Rio Grande Valley! Bring the family, stay the weekend, have great ticket and hotel discount packages! Call 956-831-9590 for more info.

Gary Nicholson has produced two Grammy winning records and many poplar records.  In 2006, Nicholson was nominated to the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. Over four hundred of his songs have been recorded in various genres including country, rock, blues, folk, bluegrass, and pop by such diverse artists as BB King, Garth Brooks, Fleetwood Mac, Bonnie Raitt, Ringo Starr, Willie Nelson, Etta James, John Prine, Dixie Chicks, Stevie Nicks, Emmylou Harris, Keb Mo, George Jones, the Neville Brothers, Waylon Jennings, Del McCoury, Guy Clark and so many more. In addition to his Grammy winning records with Delbert McClinton, who has recorded twenty five of his songs, he has produced records for The Judds, Wynonna, Pam Tillis, T Graham Brown, Chris Knight, and others.

Click HERE for more information.

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Texas Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo
July 3-6
Texas Cowboy Reunion Grounds; Business Loop 277
Stamford, TX 79553 (close to Abilene, Texas)
(325) 773-3138

The Texas Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo corrals about 500 cowboys from all over the Southwest and Texas for the world’s largest amateur rodeo. Rodeo prizes include cash, trophies and handmade saddles. Dance beneath the stars to live country, western swing and honky tonk music. Enjoy the fiddler contests, Western art show and cowboy poetry. Sample food served from chuck wagons.If this does not sound exciting enough, take a look at the Wild Mare Racing event.

Camping and RVing Notes:

Stamford Park (325/773-2411) has picnic sites, camping areas with hook-ups, cabins and a fishing house. Silo Scott Memorial Park (940/864-3779) has picnic and camping areas with hook-ups.

Lake Stamford is a 4,690-acre lake that is popular for fishing, boating, water skiing and some of the best fishing around. It is a power plant lake, so the fishing is good in the winter as well.

• Lake Stamford Marina, 120 Marina Drive, Stamford, TX 79553, (325) 773-2095
• Anchor Marina Lodge, 788 Anchor Lane, Haskell, TX 79521, (940) 864-3779

What to See and Do:

Evidently there is a lot of ghostly activity in Stamford and the surrounding area. Visit Ghosts of America for more information.

Make sure you visit the Texas Cowboy Museum  located at 113 S. Wetherbee Street, across from the Chamber of Commerce. View original paintings and prints by noted cowboy artists; farm and ranch artifacts from early 20th century, including living room/kitchen and blacksmith shop. The museum is open Monday to Friday from 8 am until 5 pm.

The Stamford Centennial Monument ?was sculpted by Throckmorton artist Joe Barrington, This 15-foot tall sculpture of a cowboy on a bucking horse crossing a railroad track was unveiled June 2000.

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May 2

Custom Car and Truck Show, Conroe. Top 75, Top 10 Under Construction, Best of Show Car, Best of Show Truck, Best Engine, Best Undercarriage, Best Interior, Best Debut Car.

May 3

Mayfest, Driftwood, Texas, 10am-6pm, free. Enjoy a beautiful day on the grounds of the historical church. Bake sale, food, vendors, silent auction, activities for children, live music including Nashville Recording Artist, Jill Parr.

The Heritage Gala, Dripping Springs, 6-11 pm, reservation. Relax under the stars and 150-year-old oak trees on the grounds of Dr. Pound Pioneer Farmstead Historic Museum. Wine tasting, gourmet dining, dancing to swing/jazz band, guided tours of historic homestead, silent and live auction.

Spring Fling, Gainesville, 10am-5pm. in Leonard Park. Eddie Coker, children’s entertainer will keep the youngsters busy, while parents explore the arts and crafts vendors. Radio Disney, Talley Fun and Games carnival, Little Britches Rodeo, Critterman and his Animal Ambassadors, Chuck Wagon Cooking and Blacksmith demonstrations, dog agility and obedience exhibits and miniature train round out the fun.

May 3-4

Comfort Village Spring Antiques Show, Comfort, (Sa) 10am-5pm, (Su) 10am-4pm, Comfort Park on Highway 27. Look for stoneware and baskets, pewter, cupboards and farm tables, benches, shelves, architectural artifacts, textiles and linens and antique tools.

Heritage Home Tour 2008 : Roses of San Antonio Street, San Marcos, (Sa) 12 noon-6pm, (Su) 12 noon-5pm, San Antonio Street, tickets needed. A self-paced tour of 6 historic homes built between 1887 and 1920, spanning American Foursquare, Queen Anne, Pioneer Farmhouse, Greek Revival and other styles. Ticket holders receive 2008 Homes Tour map and descriptions. A beautiful selection of antique roses will be for sale at the tour ticket sales center on Mitchell Street, between W. San Antonio and MLK Streets.

Texas Bison Festival, Hwy 290 East of Stonewall, (Sa&Su)10 am to 6pm, LBJ State Park, Adults $5; Children under 10 free. See a live bison herd and witness the Native American blessing of the herd. Visit the 1800s Texas Living History area, enjoy cowboy music and poetry, explore the farming lifesyle. In the Native American cultural area, you will enjoy dancers, music, storytellers; learn the art of bow making, flint knapping and fire making. Try a Bison burger or Bison sausage.

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Buc Days

Corpus Christi, Texas
April 22-May 4, 2008

During the War of 1812, Jean Lafitte and his band of pirates helped General Andrew Jackson and his troops defend New Orleans against the British. For this service, U.S. President James Madison gave Lafitte a full pardon for his crimes of piracy. Legend has it that Jean Lafitte then moved his band of pirates and established headquarters on the present site of Corpus Christi.

Buc Days Celebration begins on Friday, April 25, 2008 at 6 pm when the Pirate Queens sail into the Yacht Basin and capture the mayor. The mayor surrenders the city and the pirates raise their flag, complete with skull and crossbones, over Corpus Christi. Buc Days includes an illuminated night parade, PRCA Pro rodeo, BBQ challenge, Folklorico competition, carnival, Music and Fire on the Bay, 5k Run, live music and, new for 2008–Bikes, Bulls & BBQ . . . Check out the schedule of events.

So, start practicing your pirate talk. Arrrr, Matey!

For RV parks in the Corpus Christi area, please visit the TACO website.

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