MARCH

  March 1 - Possum Kingdom LakeAn afternoon parade down PK’s own Bourbon Street signals the start of Mardi Gras, Possum Kingdom style! Complete with floats, beads, candy, trinkets. Round out the day with a shrimp feast, Cajun dance music, crowning of King Possum/Queen Carp and costumes/floats awards. (940) 779-2424. Toll-free (888) 779-8330.

  March 8-9 - Fort Worth
DOLLY JOHNSON'S 45th ANNUAL ANTIQUE SHOW... Discover wonderful treasures at this Antique Show, known for its American country, high-quality antiques. Will Rogers Memorial Center. Sat 9am-6pm; Sun 10am- 5pm. (254) 622-2858. www.dollyjohnsonantiqueshow.com. 

  March 15 - Dublin
ST. PATRICK’S FESTIVAL... “The Irish Capital of Texas presents a grand celebration with Highland Games, Irish folk music, arts and crafts, St. Patrick’s parade, and carnival at City Park. In its 34th year! (254) 445-3422. dublintxchamber@embargmail.com. 

  March 29-30 - Granbury
30th GENERAL GRANBURY’S BIRTH-DAY PARTY BEAN, BRISKET & RIB COOK-OFF... Hosted around the downtown Historic Courthouse Square, celebrate the birthday of the town’s namesake with arts & crafts booths, bean-eating contest, outhouse races, a parade, and musical entertainment. (817) 573-5299.

APRIL

  April 5 thru May 26 - Waxahachie
THE SCARBOROUGH RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL... Scarborough Renaissance Fest opens for eight weekends plus Memorial Day. Continuous entertainment, renaissance-era handmade crafts, foods and games. Discount tickets available. (972) 938-3247.

  April 10-12 - Henrietta
TURKEY FEST & EXPO... Wild turkey hunting competition, celebrity hunters with film crews, “Hunt of a Lifetime” Auction, and steak banquet with musical entertainment. Contact Henrietta & Clay County Chamber of Commerce: (940) 538-5261.

  April 12 - Denton
15th ANNUAL REDBUD FESTIVAL... “The Redbud Capital of Texas” celebrates Spring and Arbor Day with a Home and Garden Show, pet adoptions, Kid Zone, turtle discovery, home improvement and gardening booths, Stephen F. Austin’s Texas, exhibits, and jazz entertainment. Held at Denton Civic Center. www.KDB.org. (940) 349-8739.

  April 12 - Wichita  Falls
8th ANNUAL PROVENANCE HISTORIC HOMES TOUR... Experience Country Club Estates' variety of architectural styles of homes built at turn of the century thru the 1950s. Trolley circular route begins at Woman's Forum, 2120 Speedway Ave. Tickets $20. Saturday, 10am - 3pm. Presented by the Wichita County Heritage Society.  (940) 723-0623.

  April 17-20 - Fort Worth
MAIN ST.Regarded as one of the nation’s premiere festivals, MAIN ST. features 200 juried artists, 400 musical & cultural performances, children’s area, spectacular food and fun. Celebrating its 23rd Anniversary! (817) 336-2787. www.mainstreetartsfest.org. 

  April 18-20 - Ennis
BLUEBONNET TRAILS FESTIVAL ...Discover a springtime celebration of fine arts & crafts, performing artists, bluebonnet & wildflower trails, children’s activities, live music, and entertainment. Downtown Ennis. In its 57th year as Texas’ Official State Blue- bonnet Trail. www.visitennis.org. (888) 366-4748.

  April 18-20 - Terrell
HERITAGE JUBILEE... BBQ cook-off, homes tour, entertainment, dog show, 5K run, craft vendor booths, quilt show, motor-cycle rally, health & business expo, antique cars, rodeo & carnival in Ben Gill Park. (972) 563-5703. www.terrelltexas.com.

  April 18-20 & Sept 19-21 - Grandview / Maypearl / Cleburne - ANTIQUE ALLEY & 25-MILES OF SALES... Shop the 25-mile long Antique Alley with antiques, arts & crafts, yard sales, festival foods and entertainment! Ranches rent pastures to hundreds of vendors. (817) 240-4948. Vendor inquiries welcome! www.AntiqueAlleyTexas.com. 

  April 19 - Farmers Branch
TEXAS HISTORY ALIVE!... Visit a chuck-wagon and a tipi. Watch a skinner and a blacksmith. Talk to Buffalo Soldiers and play pioneer games. Listen to stage presentations by Texana Living History Association. Scouts also can earn badges. Farmers Branch Historical Park. 2540 Farmers Branch Lane. Noon to 5pm. $2. (972) 406-0184. www.farmersbranch.info.

  April 25, 26, 27 - Muenster
GERMANFEST... Enjoy continuous entertainment on 2 stages, including Brave Combo, Alpenfest, Bellamy Brothers, Mark David Manders and more. There are also arts & crafts, sanctioned BBQ cook-off, rock climbing, carnival rides, bike rally & fun run. In its 33rd year! (800) 942-8037. www.germanfest.net.

  April 25-27 - Denton
28th DENTON ARTS & JAZZ FEST 2008... Celebrate music & art with six stages of entertainment, including Delbert McClinton, Neville Brothers, and Brave Combo. Great food, fine arts & crafts, kid’s activities, and FREE admission. Held in Quakertown Park, two blocks NE of Courthouse Square. (888) 381-1818 or  (940) 565-0931.  www.dentonjazzfest.com.

  April 26 - Cleburne
CLEBURNE SPRINGFEST... Celebrate spring with arts and crafts, antique cars, antique tractors, food, rides, ducky derby contest, and musical performers in historic downtown Cleburne. 1-888-5CLEBURNE. www.downtowncleburne.com.

  April 26-27 - Cisco
CISCO FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL & FRONTIER JUBILEE... In its 29th festival year, early Texas culture & folk lifestyles are celebrated with pioneer skill demonstrations, vintage tractors, style show, art contest, parade, street dance, trail ride, arts/ crafts & musical entertainment. Cisco Junior College campus grounds. (254) 442-2537.

MAY

  May 1-4 - Fort Worth
MAYFEST... Celebrating Mayfest’s 36th year of family fun at Trinity River Park. Live entertainment throughout the day, food, sports, fireworks, free children’s area with over 20 activities and the Art Market. All proceeds go back to the community. www.mayfest.org. (817) 332-1055. Mayfest@mayfest.org.

  May 2-3 –  Breckenridge
STEPHENS COUNTY FRONTIER DAYS... Enjoy vendors, foods, fun zone, 2nd Annual Breckenridge Talent Search, 42 and horseshoe tournaments, and other family entertainment while listening to live music. Held at Breckenridge City Park, in conjunction with Bob Drake Memorial Chuck Wagon Cook-off. Free admission. For more info: chamber@breckenridgetexas.com, 254-559-2301, or www.breckenridgetexas.com.

  May 8-10 - Bridgeport
BUTTERFIELD STAGE DAYS FEST ...Saturday features 90+ vendors, live entertainment, food, carnival, truck raffle, and Bridgeport Idol contest at Harwood Park, 9am-4pm. PRCA Rodeo events are May 9-10 at 7pm, plus live entertainment afterward. All events celebrate the local mid-1800’s stagecoach route and the town’s river toll-bridge heritage. For details/ available vendor booth space: (940) 683-2076. www.bridgeportchamber.org.

  May 9-10 - Electra
25th ANNUAL ELECTRA GOAT BBQ COOK-OFF... Cook-off with over $2500 prize money. Six cooking events include goat, chicken, ribs, brisket, jackpot beans & steak. Kid’s games, Little Mr & Miss Goat BBQ, cow patty plop & dance at the Fairgrounds. (940) 495-3577.

  May 17 - Graham
8th ANNUAL ART SPLASH ON THE SQUARE... Saturday, 10am-5pm. Free admission. Enjoy a rich blend of fine art & quality artisanship, entertainment, children’s activities and whimsy.  Toll-free 1-866-549-0401. www.art-splash.com.

  May 23-25 - Ennis
42nd ANNUAL NATIONAL POLKA FEST... Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend with Czech & Slovak heritage festivities, folk dancing, authentic cuisine, Czech costumes, 200 craft & food booths, 14 live bands and a giant parade. Downtown & three Czech Halls. www.visitennis.org. (888) 366-4748.

  May 31 - Denton
15th ANNUAL DOG DAYS OF DENTON CELEBRATION… "Texas' Original Celebration for People and Their Pooches". Live entertainment; canine contests; freestyle, frisbee & flyball demonstrations, Glamfur photos, arts/crafts, games, live music, festival foods & more. Join the fun on Saturday, 9am- 4pm. Quakertown Park in downtown Denton (near the Civic Center), 321 E. McKinney Street. (940) 349-8529. www.dogdaysdenton.com.

JUNE

  June 7 - McKinney
MCKINNEY GARDEN CLUB TOUR OF HOMES & GARDENS... Tour five gardens, historic and contemporary homes. $15. Proceeds benefit local beautification projects. www.mckinneygardenclub.org. 

  June 7-8 - Waxahachie
40th ANNUAL GINGERBREAD TRAIL TOUR OF HOMES... Tour five historic homes, and enjoy an antique car show, arts and crafts fair, and courthouse tours.  (888) 428-7245.

  June 19-21 - Dozens of western swing musicians gather for 3 full days of performances: RAY PRICE, John England, Bobby Flores, Jody Nix, Eddie McAlvain, Ted Scanlon, River Road Boys, Justin Trevino, and Swing Ambassadors —the top WS band from England. Events Center. www.legendsofwesternswing.com. (972) 612-9598.

  June 21 -  Stephenville
DAIRYFEST... Celebrate Dairy Month in June at DairyFest’s family fun event celebrating the largest economic influence in the tri-county area. Enjoy Saturday’s live music, games and milk, cheeseburgers & ice cream! 11am- 4pm.Stephenville City Park. Vendor booths available. www.tricountyag.com. (254) 965-2406.

  June 27-28 - Greenville
AUDIE MURPHY DAYS... Two-day celebration honoring the most decorated hero of WWII. Ceremonies, music, dignitaries, static displays, memorabilia/stamp sales & more. For more info, contact Audie Murphy/ American Cotton Museum: (903) 450-4502. www.cottonmuseum.com.

  June 27-28 - Celina
3rd ANNUAL CELINA BALLOON FEST... Join us for a weekend of high flying fun in Celina! Witness colorful hot air balloon ascensions, key-grab contest, night-time glow, and other special festivities at Old Celina Park. For more information: (972) 382-3600 or  www.celinachamber.org.