WurstFest, OctoberFest, OktoberFest = Big Family Fun

In the 1830s, the largest ethnic group to immigrate to Texas from Europe were persons of German birth or descent. As early as 1850, Germans constituted more than 5 percent of the total Texas population. Celebrate the rich and diverse culture of Germany by attending one of the fests in October.

Eat: Homemade pies and funnel cakes, all types of sausages, served on a stick for easy walking around, or on a bun. Corn on the cob, turkey legs, German potato pancakes served with sour cream and applesauce, hot German potato salad, caramel apples. Yummm!

Carnival for kids: fun for all ages

Dance: Polka, Country Western, Clogging

Drink: Beers from all over the world and German wines

Exhibits: arts & crafts, quilting, homemade items, unique gifts just in time for Christmas

Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg
October 5-7

Held on the town plaza, this traditional Oktoberfest celebrations features great food, beer, colorful costumes and live music.

Oktoberfest in Southlake
October 5-7, 2007

This event is always guaranteed to be an exciting one! Now in the sixth year of this 3-day festival being held in Southlake Town Square boasts an expected attendance of nearly 50,000 over the weekend.

Beethoven Halle Oktoberfest
October 5, 6, 12 and 13

The Beethoven Halle & Garten in San Antonio is set to celebrate the ultimate German festival! Music, food, and dancing are just part of the festive offerings. Past performers include the Beethoven Concert Band, Raffin Organ Grinders, Bohemian Dutchmen, the Markman Polkateers, the Cadence Cloggers and more! Enjoy German foods, Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Potato Pancakes.

Lancaster Oktoberfest
October 12-13, 2007

Traditional beer and wines will be available plus food, music and fun when this Oktoberfest gets underway this month. A carnival atmosphere rules with plenty of fun things for the kids as well. Don’t miss Lancaster’s annual Oktoberfest celebration.

Wurstfest in New Braunfels
November 2- November 11, 2007

This is the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the Americas. Get ready for lots of live music, food to satisfy the largest appetites and lots and lots of beer. Dedicated to sausage (wurst) washed down with beer.

Tags: festivals, wurstfest, okoberfest, octoberfest, polka, sausage, family fun

Blanco County Fair & Rodeo
August 16-18
Blanco County Fairgrounds, Johnson City

Includes youth rodeo, junior lamb show, queen contest, parade, junior steer show, washer pitching contest, rodeo and dance.

77th Annual North Texas State Fair
August 17-25
North Texas Fairgrounds, 2217 N. Carroll Blvd.
Denton, Texas

Features a world championship rodeo, music, carnival rides and games, fiddling contest, petting zoos and barbecue cook-offs. Main Budweiser stage artists: Stoney LaRue, Tommy Alverson, Johnny Rodriguez, Mark David Manders, Johnny Cooper, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Cory Morrow, Sammy Kershaw, and Max Stalling.

Gillespie County Fair
August 23-26
Gillespie County Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Drive
Fredericksburg, Texas

Old-fashioned country fair includes parimutuel horse racing, dancing, concerts, carnival and more. Music on Saturday night by The Derailers with special guests the Dust Devils.

Labor Day Weekend

Central Texas State Fair
August 30- September 2
Bell County Expo Center; 301 West Loop 121
Waco, Texas

The Central Texas State Fair includes horse shows, livestock shows, carnival, country music night, a rock and roll night, and a Hispanic night. PBR bull riding, stunts by United Freestyle Stunt Team, automobile destruction derby and monster truck rides.

Fayette County Fair
August 30-September 2
Fairgrounds; Highway 77 to Giddings North
LaGrange, Texas

The Fayette County Country Fair is four days of fun during the Labor Day weekend. Events include a livestock and poultry show, agricultural exhibits, culinary exhibits, hay show, talent show, a parade, free dancing every night, and a German-Czech mart with good food, drinks and live music. Features a large carnival, shuttle buses and plenty free parking. Music by Eli Young Band, Wade Bowen and Jerrod Birmingham.

Kendall County Fair
August 30-September 2
Kendall County Fairgrounds; Highway 46 (1 mile east of downtown)
Boerne, Texas

The Kendall County Fair offers visitors to kick up their heels during the Labor Day weekend. Activities include parade, carnival, rodeo, street dances and fireworks. Music by Wade Bowen, Cross Canadian Ragweed and Reckless Kelly.

Red River Valley Fair
August 29-September 1
Paris and Lamar County Fairgrounds; Sixth Street and Center Street
Paris, Texas

The Red River Valley Fair includes a carnival, livestock show, live entertainment, a chili cookoff, children’s barnyard, antique tractor exhibit, food, clowns, and family entertainment. Performers include Gene Watson and The Plain Label Band. There is also a showcase of agriculture, a home & garden showcase, commercial exhibits, and community exhibits.

Tags: county fair, rodeo, state fair

There are several unique family fun events scheduled in May in Texas. This is not a complete listing, just a representative sample.

Picture from Kerala.com

May 5-6, 2007
11th Annual Wooden Keels and Classic Wheels
2425 NASA Road 1, Lakewood Yacht Club, Seabrook, Texas.
Sat 10-5, Sun 9-4
$17 in advance, $20 at the gate
For more information, call 281-474-2511

Over 250 classic automobiles and 70 vintage wooden yachts will be displayed at the Lakewood Yacht Club. Free parking and shuttle bus to yacht club. Held annually, first weekend in May.

May 5-6, 2007
4th Annual Sutton County Car Expo
Sutton County Civic Center & Park Complex, Sonora, Texas
Open all day, both days. FREE admission
For more information, call 325-387-2880

Get your earplugs and your teenagers and go to the Sutton County Car Expo, an United States Autosound Competition International (USACI) sanctioned Car Show. There is a Show & Shine and a Sonic Cruise Night parade on Saturday. Sunday will feature actual judging of categories and the Sound-Off. Awards presentation following judging. Enjoy Tex-Mex food, dance, parade, rides and games for children. Held each year in conjunction with the Cinco de Mayo Festival, first weekend in May.

May 18-19, 2007
5th Annual World Championship RMO Cookoff
One mile north of Throckmorton, Texas on Highway 183
Contact information, rules and event schedule on website

Tastes Like Chicken Contest is held before the dance on Friday night. On Saturday there are separate cooking events for Rocky Mountain Oysters, No Bean Texas chili, pinto beans, ribs, brisket, and dutch oven cooked cobbler, starting at 11 am. Texas BBQ, arts and craft vendors, and fun for the youngsters with rock climbing wall, air slide and bounce house.
May 19, 2007
Nocona Fun Day
Clay Street, Nocona, Texas.
Open all day. Free admission
Call 940-825-3526 for information

Here is a fun event for the family. View the antique car show, enjoy the motorcycle rally, or just graze the food booths and browse arts and crafts, while the children enjoy the rides. Held annually on the third weekend in May.

May 19-20, 2007
Anglers on Wheels
Saturday 1-5 or Sunday 8-12 or 1-5
You must RSVP at 210-637-8316
Free

This trip is for disabled fishermen and their friends or family (limit 5). Anglers on Wheels is an annual wheelchair accessible weekend event that includes a free BBQ and gathering on Saturday night, compliments of Grady’s Bar-B-Q, and a free four hour fishing trip on either Saturday or Sunday. Download PDF brochure here. Anglers and family must secure and pay for their own overnight accommodations. Call Tropic Island Motel & RV Resort 361-749-6128

Tags: classic cars, wooden boats, motorcycle rally, USACI sound off, family fun, rocky mountain oysters