Apr 25-27: Oldest Town in TX Motorcycle Rally

NACOGDOCHES, TX 

The 6th annual Oldest Town in Texas Motorcycle Rally and BBQ Cook Off returns to the Nacogdoches County Expo April 25-27.


The OTT Rally will feature the OTT BBQ Cook Off, the Thunder in the Pines Concerts, Downtown Parade, Custom Bike Show, Burnout Contest, Charity Poker Run, Biker Games, Scenic Rides, Beer Gardens and more.

April 5: Vintage Base Ball (Yes, two words) Beaumont, TX

SPINDLETOP-GLADYS CITY BOOMTOWN

VINTAGE BASE BALL COMES TO TOWN

Beaumont Lumbermen to Play Exhibition Game

The old-fashioned crack of the baseball bat will be heard at Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown, on the Lamar University campus, as the museum’s 1860s vintage base ball team, The Beaumont Lumbermen, play an exhibition game on Saturday, April 5, at 10 a.m.

“Beaumont has an incredible baseball heritage dating back to the late nineteenth century,” said event organizer Don Smart. “As regular baseball season begins, it’s a great time to look back at how the game got its start.”

March 22: Shelby County Grillfest, Center

Center, Texas

 GRILL FEST 2014

Chillin' & Grillin'

Saturday, March 22

YUMMM!!!

Shelby County is hosting a Sanctioned Cook-OFF with Big Money Prizes.

Brisket***Chicken

Pork SpareRibs

$6,750 Payout - Trophy for Grand Champion and Reserve Champion

1st Place - $1000

2nd Place - $750

3rd Place - $500

per meat category

March 22: Residential Gardens Tour, Nacogdoches

Azalea Trails
www.nacogdochesazaleas.com
 

Eight Gardens Featured on 2nd Annual Garden Tour 

Seven residential gardens as well as the Old University Building’s garden will be featured on the Second Annual Azalea Trail Tour of Gardens. The public is invited to tour these beautiful Nacogdoches’ gems on Saturday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 and available at the Visitor Center, 200 E. Main St., as well as at each home the day of the tour.

Now-Mar 2014: Sacred Spaces: Connecting with the Land

Sacred Spaces: Connecting with the Land

NACOGDOCHES, TX
Stone Fort Museum
www.sfasu.edu/stonefort

What landscapes do people identify as sacred? 
How do people assign meaning to a place? 

From the backyard vegetable garden to a favorite vista, we establish personal connections with our environment, and connections that are a reflection of our group identity. 

This exhibit uses descriptions of Texas from diaries dating to the late 1600s, and contemporary journals of the East Texas landscape to explore the many ways we connect with our environment.

March 1-31: Azalea Trail, Nacogdoches

NACOGDOCHES

The sixteenth annual Nacogdoches Azalea Trail will usher in springtime in East Texas March 1-31, 2014 with a mixed bouquet of mainstay favorites.

​As always, the centerpiece of the Azalea Trail will be the 25 miles of self-guided driving routes that meander through the city and include the stunning Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden – the largest in the state of Texas. Each trail begins at the Visitor Center, located at 200 E. Main St. in historic downtown Nacogdoches. Color-coded signs mark the routes, and maps are available at the Visitor Center.

Spring Break '14: Family Fun in Henderson Co

ATHENS, TX

With spring just around the corner, the City of Athens Department of Tourism is preparing to welcome nature lovers to its outdoor activities and diverse venues. Located just a few hours away from most major cities in Texas, Athens offers the perfect family getaway or adventure vacation.

Athens offers several activities of interest to families at spring break. Take a trip to the Henderson County Historical Museum in downtown. Visitors to the museum take a step back in time and experience life in turn-of-the-century Texas, while learning more about the history of the area. Exhibits feature historic re-creations of a dry goods store, an early law office, a parlor, a schoolroom and more. Nearby art galleries, restaurants, and boutiques in downtown Athens also provide hours of entertainment.

Athens is known for its natural beauty which includes hills, lakes and wildlife. This emphasis on the great outdoors provides an array of activities such as boating, fishing, bird watching, golfing and water skiing.

Jan 30: Fakes & Forgeries - Lecture at McFaddin-Ward

Beaumont, TX
www.mcfaddin-ward.org

The McFaddin-Ward House is, once again, launching a lecture series for 2014.  Meredith Meuwly, will kick things off, on Thursday, Jan 30, with a lecture on "Fakes and Forgeries in the Art Market."
 
Meredith Meuwly serves as the Director of Appraisal Services at Heritage Auctions in Dallas. She has an extensive and varied background in the art world and has also been featured on the renowned PBS program "Antiques Road Show."

Jan 25: Alabama-Coushatta Pow-wow

Livingston, TX
16th Annual Children's Pow-Wow
www.alabama-coushatta.com

If you are looking for a family outing for Saturday, Jan. 25, the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Tribe of Texas is hosting its 16th Annual Children’s Pow Wow.

Dancers and vendors will register and set up around 9 a.m. followed by gourd dancing at 11 a.m. and a grand entry competition dancing at noon.

Jan 11: Sugarcane Festival in Nacogdoches

Sugarcane ribbon candy demonstration

Durst Taylor House & Gardens
304 North St

Make plans to attend the 5th annual Old-Fashioned Sweet Tooth Sugarcane Festival on January 11 from 8 am -12 pm at the Durst-Taylor Historic House and Gardens

This historic house is home to a sugar cane field, which is harvested by the Historic Sites staff for the festival.

Dec 1-31: A Picture Perfect Holiday, Port Arthur

PORT ARTHUR, TX
Holiday Inn Park Central
2929 Jimmy Johnson Blvd
www.visitportarthurtx.com


Pack your bags and your camera for the winter wonderland at Holiday Inn Park Central, where toy soldiers, the Claus family and spirited monkeys make scenes that keep the spirit of Christmas alive.

With oversized nutcracker soldiers, cake-decorating seniors and a sneak into Mrs. Claus’ bedroom, hotelier Kathie Rachwal transforms the lobby into scenes of an old-fashioned holiday. Joe Schoolfield, manager, says families return yearly to take family portraits.

Dec 13-22: Christmas in Palestine

PALESTINE, TX

www.visitpalestine.com

A train ride is just the beginning of holiday traditions in Palestine. 

This holiday season is full of family fun with activities, events and decorations that capture the Christmas spirit.

Dec: McFaddin-Ward House Holiday Events

We’re No Angels - Christmas comedy stars Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov & Aldo Ray

BEAUMONT, TX
1906 Calder Ave

www.mcfaddin-ward.org

The McFaddin-Ward House Museum has decked the halls, and invites you to several holiday events.
 
Dec 12: "We're No Angels" 
Doors-6 pm. Film-6:30 pm. 
Free film & complimentary refreshments.

Dec 13 & 20: Christmas at the Hoya Museum

NACOGDOCHES, TX
211 S Lanana St

Step back in time, with a 50s style celebration at the Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Library.

It's a veritable vintage feast of delight with deco ornaments, mod Christmas trees and lights and greenery galore.

Downtown Mount Vernon Shines

A slipcover was removed from these circa 1904 buildings. Now an operations

center for First National Bank and M.L. Edwards Hardware & Dry Goods.

Christmas windows in downtown Mount Vernon are not only a treat for locals and visitors, but a shining tribute to this community's heart and hard work.

For the past 20 years, the city's Main Street has worked with the city’s Economic Development Corporation, the Franklin County Historical Commission, downtown building owners and local banks to develop an action plan for preservation.

Dec 7: Athens Christmas Parade

Downtown Athens, TX

athenstx.org

Plans are in full swing for the annual lighted Christmas Parade, Christmas Around the Square, sponsored by the City of Athens.

The parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m., but come early for Holiday on the Square, sponsored by the Light Up Athens. 

Nov-Jan: Christmas in the Forest Trail

Kilgore- The City of Stars by Linda Cortelyou

From Alto to Texarkana,
We've got your list for

Holiday Happenings in East Texas...
 So, check it twice...
 

 

Nov 10-Jan 2: ATHENS - www.athenstx.org  

Christmas Park Land of Lights… A drive through Christmas Park, open daily from 6-10:30 p.m. Features over four million lights 2,000 wood cut outs, over 60 scenes over one mile long! There are 50 motion controlled lighted scenes, six tunnels, eight arches and a concession stand. Santa Claus, starting Thanksgiving night. $20 Family Vehicle, $40 Commercial Van/Pick up Back End Loaded. 1500 N.W. Loop 7. 903-675-7469.

Nov 15-Jan 5: MOUNT VERNON - www.visitmtvernon.com

The Holiday on Ice Skating Rink…The Holiday on Ice Skating Rink will operate today through Sunday, Jan. 5 at Little Creek Park, Mount Vernon, Texas. Hours of operation are 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 10:30 am-9:30 pm. Sat; & 1-5:45 pm Sun. Admission: $5 per person. The event is sponsored by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. 903-537-4365.

Nov 15-Dec 29: PALESTINE - www.palestinetexas.net

Christmas in Palestine… The holidays come early here in Palestine. We kick off the festivities with The Polar Express™ Train Ride starting in Nov and the activities continue all the way through the end of Dec. While visiting, be sure to admire the Christmas décor as you take a stroll and shop the beautiful historic Main Street District. See your children’s faces light up when they meet Santa at Santa’s Magical Workshop or at any one of the spectacular holiday events. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Palestine’s Christmas Parade of Lights the first Saturday in Dec, or other events like Ice Fest with a synthetic ice skating rink, Ladies Day Out shopping event, Breakfast with Santa and more. 903-729-3014.

Nov 23-Dec 1: NACOGDOCHES - www.nineflagsfestival.com

17th Annual Nine Flags Festival…Featuring the largest lighted Christmas parade in East Texas, a fireworks display, a Christmas tour of homes, “A Down Home Christmas” cooking show, pictures with Santa, "Holiday in the Pines" shopping extravaganza, a 5K Jingle Bell Run, a “Tour de Nac” bike ride, “An Old Fashioned Christmas” at Millard’s Crossing Historic Village and much more. 888-653-3788.

Nov 25: HUGHES SPRINGS - www.hughesspringstxusa.com

Holiday on First Street and Wine Tasting… Hours are 5-9 p.m. Downtown. 903-639-2351.

Nov 26: SAN AUGUSTINE - www.sanaugustinetx.com

The Christmas Lighting… Begins at 6 PM. Come early at 4 PM and have Chili at the Mathews Building while hearing Christmas music performed by Tony Wall. $5 per bowl.

Read more...

Nov 22: Local Author Book Signing, Lufkin

Texas Forestry Museum

ANNUAL "CHRISTMAS AT THE COMPANY STORE"
The Texas Forestry Museum will host a book signing during it's annual "Christmas at the Company Store" on Friday, November 22 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Local authors Winnie Graham and Jeanie Freeman-Harper will be available at 1:00 pm to sign copies of their books.

Dec 5-7: "A Christmas Classic" in Nacogdoches

Nacogdoches, TX

Nine Flags Christmas Festival

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre along with the Nine Flags Festival will present "A Christmas Classic" by the Fredonia Players at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 5 and 6, and at 2 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House.

Nov 22-23: 21st Annual Milam Settlers Day

The Bevils Rangers - Entertainers Extrodinaire

Milam, TX

Live entertainment and music, cook-offs, quilt shows, demos, a wild west-style shootout and more.


www.milamsettlersday.org