Upcoming Events
The arrival of March heralds not only a season of growth and beginnings, but also our great state's birthday. March 2 marks 178 years since delegates to the Convention of 1836 declared Texas independent from Mexico. Events statewide will fete the anniversary, including the Texas Independence Day Celebration at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site—the location of the momentous 1836 declaration. Held March 1-2, the free celebration includes live music, traditional crafts, living historians, historical encampments, and more.
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Oysters thrive in the brackish waters of Aransas Bay, and the people of Aransas Bay thrive on oysters. The bay town of Fulton has been celebrating the oyster harvest each March since 1979 with Fulton Oysterfest (March 6–9), a fundraiser for the local volunteer fire department. Along with live music, a parade, and fireworks, oysters take center stage in a shucking contest, a decorated oyster contest, and oyster-eating contests. Beware: Last year's winner ate 187 raw oysters in five minutes.
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Man the flippers, protect the drain, and bounce your way to Frisco with the other wizards for the Texas Pinball Festival (March 28-30), the country's largest pinball show. Held at the Embassy Suites, the festival features more than 300 pinball machines—dating from the 1930s to the present—a swap meet, parts and game vendors, and seminars led by game designers and artists. The festival also hosts various tournaments, including the Texas State Championship.
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The swagger and self-reliance that inspired our forefathers to strike out on their own in 1836 has shaped Texas ever since, including its music. The Outlaws and Legends Music Fest in Abilene (March 28-30) carries the torch for Texas' musical independent streak with a lineup of homegrown originals. Robert Earl Keen and Leon Russell headline a bill of more than 30 bands at the Back Porch of Texas outdoor venue. The concert benefits the Ben Richey Boys Ranch.
The Outlaws and Legends Music Fest isn’t the only music event in Texas this March. From the Rio Frio Fest (March 12–15) in Concan, to the Polka Fest (March 22–23) in Hallettsville, Tejano Spring Music (March 23rd) in Grand Prairie, and SXSW (March 11–16) in Austin, you’ll find plenty of opportunities across Texas to hear music of all types. |
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Spring arrives in a burst of sound and color at BorderFest in Hidalgo, billed as the largest and oldest music and heritage festival in the Rio Grande Valley. This year’s event runs March 6–9 with multiple stages for entertainment, food, games, parades, and the abrazo ceremony on the bridge connecting Hidalgo with Reynosa, its sister city across the border in Mexico. Celebrating a different world culture each year—the 2014 theme is “Celebrating Argentina”—BorderFest regularly wins event industry awards as one of the top events in Texas and the nation.
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Tour a showcase of the architecture of Shirley Simons, Sr. during the 2014 Historic Tyler Tour of Homes (March 29–30). The event kicks off with a special candlelight tour and party on March 28th.
Photo credits: (from top) J. Griffis Smith; Kevin Stillman; courtesy Andy Campos; courtesy Julian Konwinski.
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Don't forget...
All of these events and more can be found at the Texas Highways Events page 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Find Texas Highways at your local newsstand.
Get Cooking with Texas Highways, a cookbook featuring more than 250 of the best recipes ever published by the official travel magazine of Texas!
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The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
This year, Dallas’ Sixth Floor Museum commemorates 25 years of exploring the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy.
Find the Beat in Abilene!
Head to Abilene for the 4th Annual Outlaws & Legends Music Fest March 28-30! The biggest 1-stage music fest in TX will feature Robert Earl Keen & more!
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