JUNE

  June 11-12 - Texas City
FUNFEST... There’s fun for everyone in Texas City! Enjoy musical entertainment, arts & crafts, antique & classic car cruise, barbeque cook-off, “Run By the Bay” 5K & 10K, sports activities & children’s events. Carlos Garza Park. Free admission. www.texascitychamber.com. (409) 935-1408.

  June 11-12 - Seadrift
30th SHRIMPFEST... Festivities feature shrimp-eating contests, beauty pageants, tin boat races, fun run, kids games, several tournaments and arts/ crafts/food booths. Tourneys include softball, kid’s fishing, volleyball & horseshoes/washers. Bands perform Friday night & Saturday. More info and vendor apps: www.SeadriftChamber.com or call (361) 785-3424.

  June 11-12 - Wharton
2nd ANNUAL WHARTON CITYWIDE GARAGE SALE... Friday/Saturday. Maps available for visitors to make their way around to all sale locations; also check at www.whartontexas.com. Recognizable signs will be all over town. Local merchants will participate, so remember to shop with them too! For more info: (979) 532-1862 or admin@whartonchamber.com. 

  June 12 - East Bernard
KOLACHE-KLOBASE FESTIVAL... Come to Riverside Hall for polka dancing, arts and crafts, sausage & barbecue chicken, kiddie games, dancers, raffle and cakewalk. (979) 335-4875 or (979) 335-7907.

  June 19 - Wharton
1st ANNUAL JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL ... Family Day Parade & Festival on the Court-house Square. Performers include Houston Family Carnival with free rides, Marvin Sease, Bobby Bland, Rue Davis, Beau Williams, The Superior Band, Missouri City Temptations and others. For more info: (979) 532-1862 or admin@whartonchamber.com.

  June 25-26 - Wharton Barbecue cook-off, farmer’s market, car/motorcycle/antique tractor show, live music, Historic Plaza Theatre, helicopter rides, Veterans Salute, restored historic courthouse, food & craft booths, antiquing & shopping, and old-fashioned hometown fireworks. Info: (979) 532-1862 or admin@whartonchamber.com.

JULY

  July 3-4 - Rockport
ROCKPORT ART FESTIVAL... The 41st annual Rockport juried art show features food, live music, kids’ tent and original artworks by over 120 artists and master craftsmen. A fundraiser for the Rockport Art Association. FMI: (361) 729-5519 or www.rockportartcenter.com.

  July 4 - Rosenberg
FAMILY FOURTH CELEBRATION... Patriotism abounds at Seabourne Creek Park for Independence Day! Concert, food vendors, carnival, KidZone & spectacular fireworks display. The fun starts at 6pm. (832) 595-3520. Visit www.RosenbergEvents.com or www.VisitRosenberg.com.

  July 8-11 - Port Aransas
75th ANNUAL DEEP SEA “The Oldest Fishing Tournament on the Texas Coast.” A weekend of family fun that includes bay, offshore, fly fishing & junior divisions, plus a piggy perch contest. Celebrating our 75th anniversary! www.portaransas.org. (800) 45-COAST. Register today at www.deepsearoundup.com.

  July 9, 16, 23, 30 & August 6 - San Antonio
17th ANNUAL BALCONES HEIGHTS JAZZ FESTIVAL... This free events kicks off July 9 at 7pm and continues each Friday evening. Food/beverages available for purchase. Amphitheater at Wonderland of the Americas Mall, 1-10 & Loop 410. Free Admission. Call (210) 732-0055, or visit www.reachfortheheights.org. 

  July 9, 16, 23, 30 & August 6 - Rosenberg
HOT Friday night concerts from swing to serious blues! 7pm at Rosenberg’s Third Street Park in the Historic Downtown District. For more details: www.RosenbergEvents.com. (866) 367-8236 or www.VisitRosenberg.com . 

  July 29-31 - Clute
THE GREAT TEXAS MOSQUITO FESTIVAL... The annual festival is a fun-filled, 3-day event for the entire family. It includes a variety of contests for all ages, arts/crafts & food booths, carnival and musical headliner entertainment. Clute Municipal Park. (800) 371-83921. In its 30th year! www.mosquitofestival.com.

SEPTEMBER

  September 3-4 – Freeport
6th ANNUAL SUMMERTIME BLUES FESTIVAL... 2011 HD Road King Classic raffle, custom bike contest, bike wash, fireworks, great music, food & vendors. Performances by Mean Gene Kelton & the Diehards, Pride & Joy, Chris Watson Band, Dogtown Blues, Peterson Brothers and more. Come join the party! Downtown Memorial Park. Fri 5:45pm-12am; Sat 12pm-1am. www.freeportbluesfestival.com.

  September 24-25 - Hallettsville
KOLACHE FEST... Enjoy a downtown parade, kolache presentation & eating contest, classic cars, bike show, antique tractors, arts & crafts, Czech & German foods, live entertainment, biergarten, children’s activities & more! Held at KC Hall. www.hallettsville.com. (361) 798-2662.

  September 25 - Lakehills
30th ANNUAL“Home of the Great Gumbo Cook-off.”  Saturday, 11:30am to 10pm. Four Louisiana Cajun bands, authentic Cajun foods, arts & crafts, games & more. Lakehills Civic Center in Bandera County, 25 mi from San Antonio. (830) 751-3130. www.cajunfestival-medinalake.com. 

  September 25-26 - Old Town Spring
LONGHORN ROD “Hop Back to the 50s” as Old Town Spring presents 400 vintage automobiles, exhibits & shopping. No admission. 1-900-OLD-TOWN or (281) 353-9210.

OCTOBER

  October 5, 7, 8 & 9 - Floresville
66th  FLORESVILLE PEANUT FESTIVAL... Since 1938, when former Texas Governor John Connally was crowned the first King Reboog (goober spelled backwards), thousands have attended this annual event each October in historic downtown Floresville.  Events include: two parades, Royal Court Coronation, food booths, arts/crafts, carnival, kid's Goober Games & entertainment, washer tournament, Friday night street dance, and 12 hours of live music Saturday. (210) 663-3957. (830) 393-6664. www.floresvillepeanutfestival.org.

  October 23-24 - Old Town Spring
PETFEST... Come find the perfect pet for your family & lifestyle! 50+ rescue groups, micro-chipping, low-cost vaccinations, Blessing of the Animals, costume contest, fashion shows & more! www.petfestoldtownspring.com. (281) 353-9310 or (800) OLD-TOWN for more info. 

NOVEMBER

  November 18-21 - Kingsville
SOUTH TEXAS WILDLIFE & BIRDING FEST... Enjoy tours and wildlife programs, with some tours on the Historic King Ranch. For details: Kingsville Convention & Visitors Bureau. (361) 592-8516. www.Kingsvilletexas.com. 

DECEMBER

  December 4-5 - Cypress
CY-FAIR FFA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW… A wide array of original hand-crafted artworks. 11206 Telge Road, off Hwy 290. Sat   v