JUNE

  June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 8, 15, 22, August 5 Odessa
HOT From Texas Swing to bluegrass, oldies rock and roll to jazz, and much more—a different musical journey every Friday night. Free admission. Noel Heritage Park in downtown Odessa, 5th & Sam Houston Streets. Snacks available for purchase; no alcohol. Sponsored by Odessa Council for Arts & Humanities and Main Street Odessa. www.odessaarts.org. (432) 337-1492.

  June 9-12 - Snyder
WEST TEXAS WESTERN SWING FESTIVAL... Hear the “best of the best” western swing musicians at this annual gathering, including Leon Rausch, Eddie McAlvain, Jody Nix & Texas Cowboys, Billy Mata & the Texas Tradition, Larry Lange & the Lone Star Troubadours, and more. The Coliseum. (325) 573-3558, or fax (325) 573-9721.

  June 11-13 - San Elizario
BILLY THE KID FESTIVAL... In 1876, Billy the Kid visited San Elizario! In June 2010, learn the historical truths behind this event as the historic breakout of Billy’s friend from the old El Paso County Jail is re-enacted. See an original one-act play, tour the jail and 17 other historic sites, plus arts & crafts, concessions and more festivities. 9am to 6pm daily. (915) 594-8424. www.BillyTheKidFestival.com, or info@billythekidfestival.com.

  June 12 - Cross Plains
1 block north of Hwy 206/Hwy 36 Intersection at Cross Plains—hometown of Robert E. Howard, creator of Conan the Barbarian! Parade, antique car show, tractor show, fire trucks, kids games & rides, live music, food, NASCAR radio-controlled cars, horse rides and fun for the family! Sat, 9am-4pm. Ranch Rodeo presented by Turkey Creek Rodeo Club, 6pm after the Fest. www.BarbarianFestival.net.

  June 14-19 & June 24-26 - Albany
FORT GRIFFIN FANDANGLE... Recapturing the look and feel of the old west. with singing, dancing, cowboys, horses and a herd of Texas Longhorns. Chronicles are portrayed in a renowned outdoor amphitheater production with a local 400-member musical cast. BBQ each night at 5pm. www.fortgriffinfandangle.org or fandangle@bitstreet.com. (325) 762-3838. 

  June 23-26 - Pecos
WEST OF THE PECOS RODEO... 128th “Home of the World’s First Rodeo”. Four exciting evenings filled with calf roping, bronco riding, barrel racing & much more.  Rodeo begins at 7pm. Also a variety of vendors. Admission varies on seating up to $14.Buck Jackson Rodeo Arena. For more info: (432) 445-2406; pcoc@cebridge.com; or www.pecostx.com.

  June 26-27 - Morton
TEXAS’ LAST FRONTIER HERITAGE CELEBRATION... Cochran

  June 26-27 - San Angelo
4th ANNUAL SHOWDOWN IN SAN ANGELO SUPER NATIONALS DRAG BOAT RACES... Come to Lake Nasworthy for the fun of fast, loud drag boats racing up to 250 mph over three days of competitions. Tickets on sale now! For more details, call (800) 375-1206, or visit www.showdowninsanangelo.com.

  June 30-July 3 - Stamford“The Largest Amateur Rodeo in the World” will host 700 contestants in its 80th year, plus evening dances by prominent country/ western bands. Also western art, chuck wagon meals, BBQ & chuckwagon cook-offs/meals, Old Settlers reunion, down-town parade, fiddlers’ contest, trade show, poetry and cowboy symposium. (325) 773-3614 or www.tcrrodeo.com. 

JULY

  July 3 - Odessa
FIRECRACKER FANDANGO... Celebrate Independence Day with Main Street Odessa. Patriotic downtown parade, baby derby, spectacular fireworks, games, three stages with live entertainment, food and The Globe Theatre’s “Happy Birthday USA” musical variety revue on July 3-4, 2:30pm. Fun for the entire family! (432) 335-4682 or (432) 580-3177.

  July 17 - Friona
5th ANNUAL CHEESEBURGER COOK-OFF & FESTIVAL... Start perfecting your cheeseburger recipes, and join in the fun at Friona City Park in Friona on Main Street downtown. For more information, contact Friona Chamber of Commerce: fedc@wtrt.net; (806) 250-3491;  www.frionachamber.com.

  July 23, 24, 25 - Mobeetie
MOBEETIE MUSIC FESTIVAL... Enjoy great musical entertainment, including Star Canyon Band, Batten Family, Saltgrass, Triple L, Graystone Revival, Cedar Ridge and Short Creek Bluegrass. For more info: (806) 845-2028. www.mobeetie.com.

  July 30-31 - Knox City
22nd WATERMELON FESTIVAL… “The Seedless Watermelon Capital of the World” offers free melon slices, free swimming, craft & art booths, live music, food booths and kids’ events. Held at City Park in Knox City. For more details: kcchamber@srcaccess.net, (940) 658-3442, or www.knoxcitychamberofcommerce.com .

  July 31 - Monahans
18th ANNUAL BUTTERFIELD OVER-Spectators enjoy a tribute to the region’s early stage route with a parade of authentic wagons, stagecoaches, buggies & teams from across America. Other festivities include western reenactments, music, bull rides, arts & crafts and dances. Ward County Fairgrounds. (432) 943-2187.

AUGUST

  August 13-14 - Outdoor rodeo and dances, parade, craft fair, retail vendors, food booths, children’s games and much, much more. Located at Sutton County Park and Arena Complex. For more info: (325) 387-2880, www.sonoratx-chamber.com or 1-888-387-2880.

SEPTEMBER

  September 2-19 - Odessa
THE SOUTHThree plays in rotating repertory—”King Lear” by Shakespeare, “Night Sky” by Susan Yankowitz, and “The Miracle Worker” by William Gibson. For more info, e-mail hamlet@globesw.org, visit www.globesw.org, or call (432) 580-3177. 

  September 4, 5, 6 – Alpine
15th ANNIVERSARY BIG BEND BALLOON BASH… "The Balloon Capital of Texas" celebrates Labor Day Weekend with 15 colorful hot air balloons soaring each morning at Sierra La Rana (on SH 118, 2 miles south of Alpine). Sunday evening Fire Glow & Concert is at Buck Stadium. For more info, visit www.bigbendballoonbash.com, or call (432) 837-7486.

  September 10-12 - Museum of the Southwest presents its 41st annual art and music celebration with a premier juried art show with great prize money. Also enjoy Preview Party Friday evening, entertainment, children’s hands-on Kinderfest activity area, festival foods and games on the museum’s grounds at 1705 West Missouri. (432) 683-2882.

  September 25 - Menard
JIM BOWIE DAYS CELEBRATION... Live music, arts & crafts, food vendors, treasure hunt, live music, kayak races, kid’s activities, rock climbing wall and more. For more information, call Menard Chamber of Commerce (325) 396-2365, fax (325) 396-4545, or e-mail menardcc@verizon.net.

  September 24-25 - Eden
EDEN FALL FEST... Always held the fourth weekend of September, this West Texas celebration includes “Eve’s Seduction” Dessert Competition, parade, arts & crafts, food vendors, games, kid’s events, live entertainment, dancing and a bull ride. Downtown on the Square. www.edentexas.com. (325) 869-3336. 

OCTOBER

  October 2 - Coleman
FIESTA DE LA PALOMA... Enjoy championship dove and brisket cook-off, arts and crafts, games, exhibits, art show, musical entertainment, pet show, beauty pageant, food, roping, car show and much more. Bill Franklin Center / Expo and Rodeo Complex. Website: www.colemantexas.org. Email: chamber@colemantexas.org. (325) 625-2163.

  October 2-3 - Sonora
WEST TEXAS CHAMPIONSHIP COOKOFF... Featuring horseshoe and washer pitching and dancing under the stars. Located at Sutton County Park and Arena Complex. For more information, call (888) 387-2880 or (325) 387-2880. www.sonoratx-chamber.com. v