July Events: Texas Fairs and Festivals
The Fourth of July isn’t the only cause for celebration for Texas this month. Across the Lone Star State, you can find festivities for peaches, watermelons, crape myrtles, jazz, and, yes, even cheeseburgers! There’s no time like the present to slather on some sunscreen and hit the road for a summertime adventure with the whole family at one of these Texas fairs and festivals.
Central Texas
Hot Nights, Cool Tunes, July 6, 13, 20, 27, Brenham
Temperate Texas summer nights just beg for live outdoor music. Brenham has a lineup of four bands playing over four weekends at the Courthouse square downtown. Bring your lawn chair and your appetite to indulge in scrumptious snacks from food trucks. Listen to your classic rock and contemporary favorites from these bands: Midnight Express (July 6), SUEDE (July 13), Rock-A-Fellas (July 20), and The Argyles (July 27).
McDade Watermelon Festival, July 12–13, McDade
McDade is amping up for their sweetest festival of the year. The juicy details: Friday night, scoot your boots on down for a street dance to live music. On Saturday, watch the McDade Watermelon Queens float past you in the parade. Peruse the car show and arts and crafts booths at your leisure. The auction is one in a melon, and you’re sure to have a spittin’ good time at the seed-spitting contest.
North Texas
Crape Myrtle Festival, July 3, Waxahachie
While many plants in Texas wilt under the oppressive heat of summer, crape myrtles bloom with an abundance of spectacular flowers. Experience the transformation yourself along scenic driving trails through Waxahachie. Stick around for the hometown Fourth of July parade and end the night with a fireworks display and tailgate party.
Parker County Peach Festival, July 13, Weatherford
You’ll be peachy keen to taste-test the goodies at this festival: ice cream, cakes, cobblers, salsas, jams, breads, and more, all made with Parker County’s most delectable fruit. Come down to the historic downtown area to dance the day away to live Americana, country, and ’50s and ’60s music. If you really want to push your weekend into high gear, sign up for the Peach Pedal Bike Ride, with routes that range from 8 to 61 miles.
Adult admission at the gate is $5, cash only. Children 12 and under are free. You can purchase advance tickets for only $4 at the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce office.
South Texas
Laredo International Sister Cities Festival, July 12–14, Laredo
For one weekend, the Sames Auto Arena will transform into a marvelous indoor Mexican mercado. More than 200 exhibitors from 60 cities across Mexico will display and sell native wares, such as talavera pottery, leather goods, handcrafted jewelry, specialty foods, and more. Get in early to beat the crowd — 20,000 people on average attend the event.
Balcones Heights Jazz Fest, July 12, 19, 26, Aug. 2, Balcones Heights
Say three cheers for girl power at this free, four-concert series boasting an all-female lineup. Stake out your space early with blankets and lawn chairs at the Wonderland of the Americas Amphitheater. Regulars are said to claim their spots days in advance along the reflecting pool and fountain. This year’s headliners include eight beloved artists, including Wednesday Ball, Ragan Whiteside, MiChelle Garibay-Carey. David Munoz, the host of iHeartRadio’s Sunday Morning Jazz, will emcee.
East Texas
One Last Run Crawfish Boil & Back to School Event, July 13, Beaumont
Listen up, bug brains. This is the event to celebrate your favorite “mud bugs” — aka crawfish — this summer. Indulge in Cajun delights like spicy crawfish, crabs, turkey necks, and shrimp from local restaurants, caterers, and food trucks in Tyrrell Park. Pose for a picture at the photo booths and dance all day to DJs and live Zydeco bands. Children can run wild in the Kid Zone while parents explore the arts and crafts booths.
Paris Balloon and Music Festival, July 19–21, Paris
Up, up, and away you’ll go on a majestic hot air balloon ride this summer in Paris’ Lamar County Fairgrounds. Experience the whimsy yourself with balloon rides Saturday and Sunday mornings and balloon glows Friday and Saturday nights at dusk. For a wilder time, hop onto a carnival ride. You can also jam out to music at the main stage from 6 p.m. to close.
Tickets are $5 at the door.
West Texas
Ysleta Mission Festival, July 12–14, El Paso
The 337-year-old Ysleta Mission — one of the oldest historic missions in the country — is still a thriving community space where tens of thousands of families can come together to celebrate El Paso’s distinct culture, music, arts and crafts, games, and food. Try your hand at Mexican lotería or see if the game “Cake Walk” is truly as easy as it sounds. You can also watch Native American dance performances and feast on authentic local foods.
Cheeseburger Festival, July 15–20, Friona
You can haz cheeseburger — many cheeseburgers of all kinds — in Friona, the Official Cheeseburger Capital of Texas. Honor Friona’s famous food with an entire week of festivities at the Friona Community Center. Do you grill a mean patty? Sign up for the cook-off competition for the chance to win $1,000. You can also sign up for Cow Patty Bingo for the chance to win $300. If you’re hot from the grill, cool off with water games and face painting at one of the many shaded booths.
For more ways to chill this summer after hitting these Texas fairs and festivals, learn how to get discounts on water parks across the state with your Texas Farm Bureau member benefits.
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