Hill Country SUN - June|July|August 2024

INDEX

Austin J5

Bandera B10

Bergheim D9

Bertram I2

Blanco F6

Boerne D9

Buchanan Dam F2

Buda J7

Bulverde G10

Burnet G2

Camp Verde B8

Canyon Lake G9

Castroville C12

Center Point B8

Clear Springs H11

Comfort C8

Concan A11

Driftwood H7

Dripping Springs H6

Fischer G8

Fredericksburg C5

Georgetown K2

Granite Shoals G2

Gruene H10

Hancock G8

Helotes G6

Henly G6

Highland Lakes F2/3

Hondo B13

Hunt A7

Hye E6

Ingram B7

Johnson City F5

Kendalia F8

Kerrville B7

Kingsland F2

Kyle I8

Lampasas G1

Leakey A9

Llano D2

Liberty Hill I12

Luckenbach D6

Luling K10

Marble Falls G3

Martindale J9

Mason B2

Medina A9

New Braunfels H10

Oak Hill I6

Oatmeal H2

Pipe Creek C10

Round Rock K3

San Antonio F12

San Marcos I9

Sattler H9

Seguin I11

Sisterdale D8

Spring Branch F9

Startzville G9

Stonewall D6

Utopia A10

Vanderpool A9

Wimberley H8 Julie Spell Harrington Publisher/Ad Sales 512-484-9716 • julie@hillcountrysun.com

Maxwell Ball Editor/Design 512-569-8212 • melissa@hillcountrysun.com

Ernie Altgelt &

Eissler Distribution Gerry Burns Volume 30, Number 1 ISSN: 1524-2315. Entire contents • Copyright 2024 by TD Austin Lane, Inc.

COVER: Independence Day, Hill Country Style!

COURTESY HAPPY HOLLOW TOP LEFT INSET Photo courtesy Leakey's July Jubilee BOTTOM RIGHT Photo courtesy Historic Leakey Inn

4TH OF JULY Hill Country Style!

By BONNIE EISSLER

John Adams – the most outspoken advocate for independence in the Second Continental Congress, first Vice President and second President, predicted at the time “a great anniversary Festival that would be celebrated by succeeding generations, with Pomp and Parade, games and sports, bonfires and illuminations.”

Many of the early traditions that Adams envisioned are still carried on today in festivals, sometimes called Jubilees, right here in the Hill Country. The essentials are a parade through the main streets of town, patriotic music, flags, fireworks (unless there’s a drought and fire risk) and a jubilant atmosphere. The colors of Independence Day are the colors of our flag – red, white and blue – colors that, according to tradition and custom, signify strength, purity and vigilance.

No two towns celebrate in exactly the same way. Wimberley’s rodeo keeps the spirit of the American frontier alive. Leakey has toe-tapping music and people dancing in the street. Marble Falls launches fireworks from a barge in the middle of the lake for a dazzling display of color and sound over Lake Marble Falls, and Comfort has a good old-fashioned dunking booth. The patriotic partying is exemplary all over Central Texas, with these four charming small towns ranking among the best places to be on the Fourth of July.

See 4TH OF JULY, Page 8

Leakey

Marble Falls

Photo courtesy Marble Falls/ Highland Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.

Photo courtesy Leakey July Jubilee.

Photo courtesy Wimberley Chamber of Commerce.

comfort

Established in 1854 by German immigrants who were Freethinkers and abolitionists, Comfort is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year. It has one of the most wellpreserved historic districts in Texas. The Fourth of July parade begins at 9:30 am with kids riding their streamer and flag decorated bicycles, followed by the Grand Parade with decorated patriotic floats, created by local businesses, fire trucks, antique cars and tractors and horses.

“Then we mosey on down to the park (Comfort Park) for brisket and sausage barbecue and all the fixings,” says Margaret Stone, Chamber of Commerce Board Member and Events Director. There’ll be a silent auction and live music entertainment. For kids and adults, let the games and attractions begin! Corn hole, water slides, the dunking booth. Nothing pulls people together better than seeing someone they know getting dunked under water. Ah, the simple pleasures. “Of course, we will have snow cones,” Margaret says, “and a pie contest, with all kinds of pies this year, not just apple.”

leakey

Leakey (pronounced LAY-key) boasts natural beauty and spectacular hill country views with winding roads and deep canyons formed by the Frio and Nueces rivers. A magnet for those who enjoy the outdoor life, Leakey was established in 1883 and has been the county seat of Real County, since 1913. The small town is just a short leisurely country drive from Garner State Park, one of the most visited parks in Texas with generations of daytrippers and campers flocking there in the summers to hike, swim and dance.

The Fourth of July parade is reminiscent of the ones many of us remember from childhood, where those riding on the floats and in the vintage cars throw candy and necklaces to the people lining the streets. With wide participation from merchants, teachers and students, there are usually 100 or more homemade floats.

marble falls

Early settlers in Marble Falls encountered falls cascading over a limestone ledge embedded with crystalline quartz rock (chert) that they mistakenly thought was marble. However, Marble Falls is famous for another kind of rock – granite, used to construct part of the Texas State Capitol and many other large public projects, including the Bob Bullock Museum in Austin and the Galveston Seawall.

Marble Falls is already gearing up for its first ever Independence Day parade. The parade begins at Johnson Park at 9 am and travels through downtown. For added excitement and to spark creativity, there’s a competition for Best Float of 2024. One of the busiest show bands in the Southwest, Dysfunkshun Junkshun, is the featured musical entertainment with a Special Summer Concert Series performance. This high energy rhythm and blues, hip-hop, Motown and Classic Rock show is a surefire crowd pleaser.

Comfort

wimberley

Wimberley's annual parade draws a large happy crowd every year, whether the weather is warm and humid or extremely hot and humid. This is the traditional kickoff to the festivities and is rescheduled or cancelled only in the event of a flood or pandemic. The Hill Country Community Band, an all volunteer wind band of amateur and professional players, and the Wimberley Community Chorus present their annual patriotic concert beginning at 3 pm at The First Baptist Church on Winters Mill Parkway.

Continuing the patriotic celebration the following day, the 77th Annual VFW Rodeo brings the best riders and ropers in the region into the arena, with enthusiastic crowds cheering on their favorite cowboys and cowgirls as they compete in bull riding, barrel racing, steer roping and bronco busting. Spectators enjoy nightly performances by the Lone Star Cowgirls, a precision riding team, known for their beautiful painted horses and sparkling red, white and blue costumes.

Fireworks light up the sky on July the Fourth and each evening after the rodeo.

FYI • For more information, Comfort: comfortchamber.com or call 830-995-3131, Leakey: Friocanyonchamber.com, Marble Falls: marblefallstx.gov, Wimberley: visitwimberleytx.org. For a complete list of all the festivals in Texas, visit texashighways.com.

Wimberley VFW Rodeo

Photo courtesy Comfort Chamber of Commerce.

Photo courtesy Oldham-Cummings VFW Post 6441, Wimberley.

July 4

AUSTIN

Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic. Created in 1972 by Willie himself, this Independence Day celebration features incredible live music acts and fireworks. Get details at austinfc.com/stadium.

AUSTIN

Austin Symphony Orchestra July Fourth Concert and Fireworks. Celebrate Independence Day with the largest fireworks display in the city. Now part of the inaugural Star-Spangled Fest, this event is free and open to the public. Live music starts at 5 p.m., and Austin Symphony Orchestra begins playing at 8:45 p.m. before the fireworks begin. starspangledfest.com/july-4.

BANDERA

Fourth of July Parade and Barbecue. American Legion Post 410 in Lakehills hosts this Fourth of July event that includes a parade in the morning followed by a barbecue meal and live music with the B-17s featuring Frank Castro. banderacowboycapital.com.

BANDERA

Pet Parade. Cowboy Capital Pet Assistance League, Inc. presents its 28th annual Pet Parade. Dress up your pets and join other participants in the parade. Categories include Best Creative Costume and Best in Show. ccpalrescue.org

BEE CAVE

Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Celebration. Let freedom ring with a dog-friendly day full of shopping, music, barbecue, family fun, and fireworks. hillcountrygalleria.com.

BOERNE

Independence Day Fireworks. Show begins at 9:15 p.m. and is scheduled to last 20-25 minutes. Prime viewing is available at the Kendall County Fairgrounds and Champion High School. boerneparks.com

COMFORT

Independence Day Celebration. Live music and vibrant art, vendors, games, and a BBQ lunch in the park. Children’s Bike Parade, followed by the Independence Day Parade at 10 am. Shops open! 830-995-3131 or info@ comfort-texas.com.

FREDERICKSBURG

Fourth of July Parade. Originally started in 1991 by a group of community-minded friends, this small-town patriotic parade has grown over the years to be one that is loved by many. The parade begins promptly at 10 am. Bring your lawn chairs for a great seat or use the tailgate of your pickup to enjoy. Free patriotic program follows at Martkplatz. fbgtxparade.org.

FREDERICKSBURG:

Fourth of July Fireworks. Multiple viewing areas available in the park and Gillespie County Fairgrounds. Bring lawn chairs. Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park. fbgtx.org.

July 4

GE0RGETOWN Fourth of July. Live entertainment, arts and crafts, beer and wine, petting zoo, food, classic and antique cars, games, rides and fireworks. Admission is free. georgetown4th.org.

JUNCTION Fireworks Display on banks of Llano River. junctiontexas.com.

KERRVILLE Fourth on the River. A concert, vendors, and the largest fireworks display in the Texas Hill Country. kerrvilletx.gov.

MARBLE FALLS Fireworks, Celebration and Parade at Lakeside Park. 305 Buena Vista Drive. marblefallstx.gov.

NEW BRAUNFELS Fourth of July Parade. Old-fashioned, small-town parade followed by a short patriotic musical program provided by the New Braunfels Community Band on the Main Plaza. Wear your most star-spangled attire and bring the family and lawn chairs. Downtown New Braunfels, South Castell Avenue.

UVALDE Fourth at the Fairplex. Vendors, music, water slides, pro wrestling, more. 10 am to 3 pm. uvaldecountyfairplex.com.

WIMBERLEY Fourth of July Parade. See a small-town patriotic parade through the downtown streets of Wimberley. wimberley.org.

July

4-7

HORSESHOE BAY Fourth of July Weekend. Start the weekend by watching spectacular fireworks over Lake LBJ on Thursday night, then tee off for a round of golf or unwind by the pool or lakeside, with boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, or fishing. Friday and Saturday night free concerts on the lawn. hsbresort.com/july-fourth.

July 5

UTOPIA Fireworks Show at Utopia Park. (830) 279-9416

July 5-6

LEAKEY July Jubilee. Includes the Real County Junior Horse Club Rodeo plus craft and food vendors market Friday and Saturday. July Jubilee parade starts at 10 am, with July Jubilee Street Dance at 7:30 pm featuring music from The Texases and The Grooves. friocanyonchamber.com.

July 5-7

WIMBERLEY 77th Annual Wimberley VFW Rodeo. From bull riding to barrel racing, showcasing the best talent in the region. Spectators cheer on their favorite riders as they hold onto broncos, rope steers, and don't forget the kids mutton Bustin'. Nightly fireworks. visitwimberleytx.org.

KISS THE COOK KITCHEN ESSENTIALS

By Bonnie Eissler

Kiss the Cook opened in Wimberley on October 1, 2001, and has been a mecca for cooking enthusiasts from near and far ever since. It is considered by many to be one of the best, perhaps the best, kitchen store in the Texas Hill Country. Bren Isgitt owns and oversees the store and Dean Chambers, who trained in Italy and is a chef himself, has been the manager for over 3-1/2 years.

This is the store that cooking enthusiasts will want to visit often and where brides will register for gifts, it’s where you’ll go to talk about food, because to be honest that’s what so many of us love to talk about. This is the store where you’ll find any kitchen item you’re looking for, from ramekins and pizza pans to paper napkins with cheeky sayings, such as “The first 40 years of parenthood are the hardest.”

And you’ll find even more items that you never knew you needed until you walked into Kiss The Cook, like Sticky Fingers Lemon Poppyseed Scone mix or a Euroscrubber, a non-scratching scour pad that - according to Dean - is one of the best-selling items in the store.

The variety and quantity offered in the unique shop is mindboggling: tools and gadgets, cookie sheets and cast iron skillets, serving bowls, storage bowls, table linens, aprons and napkins, casserole dishes and a greatly expanded gourmet specialty foods section with jellies, syrups and vinegar, jars of fruits and vegetables, and a dizzying display of dip mixes. Everything is logically and artfully arranged, but there’s so much to take in and there’s a temptation to read every descriptive card and label. Pace yourself and remember that you can always return another day and that you most likely will.

Kiss the Cook is the most recent business to occupy one of the original old rock houses on the Wimberley Square, a house with a lot of stories to tell. One of the small rooms served as a switchboard office in the 1940s World War II era. “The exterior is made up of rocks and stones from all over the place,” says Bren. Indeed, there are rocks in a variety of shades and textures, rough cut, some containing fossils.

Before it was remodeled in 2001 by architect and designer Arlen Conner, there were several small rooms inside, a low ceiling, and a fireplace in the front area that has now been covered up, though the chimney is still visible outside.

Bren says, “He had a knack for visualizing interiors, he gutted the place and raised the ceiling.”

Kiss the Cook was remodeled again in 2017 when Bren, now sole owner, hired a retail specialist who covered up a fireplace, adding an enormous quantity of space allowing for more effective product display. “We redecorate every couple of months, depending on what’s going on,” Dean says. In March, the center aisle was decked out for Easter with spring flowers, kitchen towels and egg cups in pretty pastels, bunnies and

See KISS THE COOK, Page 14

Kiss the Cook owner

Bren Isgitt and manager Dean Chambers.

From Page 12

carrots on platters and mugs. There will be new seasonal and holiday displays, changes for Mother’s Day and the Fourth of July, when the flags and bunting appear.

Prior to the highly anticipated total eclipse of the sun on April 8, that’s expected to bring thousands of visitors to our area, Kiss The Cook will be open all weekend. There will be raffle giveaways and the first 50 customers will each get a gift.

Dean says, “We’ll be launching a new line of cookware, Made In, offering discounts on these high-quality carbon steel and stainless clad skillets, pots and pans all weekend.” He explains that this brand is new to retail as it was previously sold only to restaurants in Italy, France and America. “We’re excited to be one of the first retailers to offer the Made In brand to home cooks,” he says.

Whether you are a culinary artist, serious foodie, a dabbler or a novice, there is inspiration and a plethora of products to match your abilities at Kiss The Cook.

All Photos by Lauren Clark Photography.

FYI • Kiss The Cook is located at 201 Wimberley Square. Hours are Monday through Saturday 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday noon to 5 pm. For more information, visit the website at kissthecookwimberley.com or call 512-847-1553.

KISS THE COOK,

By Ernie Algelt

Many would agree that one of the Hill Country’s best loved “drives” is the stretch of Highway 16 between Bandera and Kerrville. With its lower river crossings and straightaways before transitioning into undulating elevations, this well-traveled piece of beautiful blacktop beckons to any and all on two or four wheels with its serene charm and stunning scenery. But many frequent visitors insist it’s not just the mileage that makes this trek so appealing, it’s the mandatory stop, conveniently in-route, at wee Medina’s renowned The Apple Store – an oasis of savory burgers, bountiful baked goods, myriad sweet treats and gifts galore all in a roadside respite that’s just too good to pass up. Yep, to the well-initiated, “braking” at The Apple Store is nothing less than a treasured “rite of passage” that truly is a rest stop that’s the best stop. Whoa!

Opened in 1985 by the apple-growing pioneer Baxter Adams and his wife Carol, who had recently relocated to the Medina area, The Apple Store was a natural outgrowth of their Love Creek Orchards operations. Established on Medina’s main street (Highway 16) in a period-perfect 1945 rock cottage, the retail enterprise quickly became a popular destination for travelers headed up and down the thoroughfare thanks to its eclectic offerings of apple- and non-apple related items. Between the larger towns of Bandera and Kerrville, See APPLE STORE, Page 18

Owners Brian and Stacie Hutzler

there wasn’t really much reason to stop except for fuel or, to get directions before The Apple Store but, after its inception, wow, did it catch on with the hungry, weary road warrior seeking a few moments of relaxation, repast and, perhaps to make a purchase or two of something uniquely apple-or-not appropriate. Over the years, it just kept getting better and better as its inventory was refined and expanded.

Today, under the proprietorship of the very capable Stacie and Bryan Hutzler, who acquired the biz from the Adams in 2007, The Apple Store continues to attract even more visitors from the immediate area, across the state and, even internationally. But, that’s not so surprising. As mentioned, joy riders love Highway 16 but inevitably, a “stop” at some point becomes necessary. A call of nature, the need for a snack or lunch, to stretch one’s legs, the reasons are many but everyone at some point says, “enough driving” and, The Apple Store provides the perfect excuse to “park it” for a while.

Still operating within and around the old cottage on main street, patrons delight in the emporium’s varied offerings. Besides the “facilities,” the adjoining patio café serving up its “best ever” burgers is usually where folks head first. Recommended by the Hutzlers is their signature spicy pepperjack hamburger featuring bacon, jalapeno mustard, spicy pickles, lettuce, onions and tomatoes all embraced on a jalapeno cheese bun. With a side of fries and a cold lemonade or iced tea followed by some apple ice cream, well, that’s eating!

Once the appetite is satisfied, a stroll back inside the cottage beckons with its assortment of on-site baked goods including sumptuous apple and pecan pies, jams, strudels, turnovers, jumbo cookies and more, all made “from scratch.” And, the savvy insist on adding a pint or gallon of the store’s famous apple ice cream to their order as well. But the neatness doesn’t end with the edibles.

Fun gifts abound in other rooms including large selections of tee shirts, kitchen items, outdoor decorative creations,

even toys. It’s hard not to find something that “you’ve just got to have!” So, are you planning a cruise on Highway 16 this summer? Well, now you know what must be on your itinerary – a stop at The Apple Store! For first-timers and veterans, it truly remains an essential rite of passage on this always delightful journey. Photos courtesy Love Creek Orchards.

FYI • The Apple Store is located at 14024 State Highway 16 North in Medina, Texas. The store and bakery are open seven days a week from 9 am to 5 pm. The café is open 11 am to 3 pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. For more information including mail order purchases, visit the website at lovecreekorchards.com or call 830-200-0302.

Wimberley | Fredericksburg | Dripping Springs | Blanco Driftwood | Johnson City | South Austin | San Marcos West Lake Hills | New Braunfels | Canyon Lake

FRIO’S DRY 50

By Ernie Altgelt

Part of the fun of going on a really great vacation is picking up a souvenir or two related to the destination. These unique, location-specific mementos are not only enjoyed when on-site but, upon returning home, later act as treasured reminders of the wonderful experience that was so thoroughly enjoyed. Why, when thinking about it, by acquiring something from a successful getaway allows one the opportunity to relive (and share with others) the fun again (and again) as memories are constantly rekindled.

And, while most touristy places offer souvenir and gift sources, nobody does it better than bucolic Concan’s legendary Frio’s Dry Fifty mercantile and more. For forty years, this oddlynamed but endearing emporium near the inviting Frio River has become the alluring community’s undisputed keepsake kingdom letting visitors “take a little of their vacation with them” when sadly, it’s time to go.

Founded in 1985 by a pair of enterprising sisters (whose grandparents were notables in the local lodging business and put their loving granddaughters to work each summer), these young ladies, Gayle and Jody Graves, thought they could “make of go” of selling custom tee shirts touting the laidback Concan lifestyle that’s so tied to the beautiful, cypress-lined river. And boy, were they right!

See FRIO'S DRY 50, Page 22

Frio's Dry 50 owner and co-founder, Gayle Graves Korbell.

RV Rates

Full Hook Up with 30/50 AMP Electric

Daily Rates $65/night | Includes two people, one RV and one vehicle. Two-night minimum stay required on holidays (July 4, Memorial Weekend and Labor Day Weekend).

Additional charges include $10/night for extra RV A/C (3 total), $20/night for covered sites, $5/night each additional person, and $5/night each additional vehicle.

Weekly Rate: $450 • Monthly: Call for Specials

Rental Cabins

TV and a covered porch with BBQ grill and table.

Ash Creek Hideaway

After repurposing a small building on family property then stocking it with a neat assortment of in-house designed tees, it didn’t take long for tubers, splashers, fishermen and women, picnickers and any and all else in Concan (local and visitor alike) to beat a track to the Dry Fifty to acquire a neat, one-of-a-kind tee along with some “cool” refreshment that usually included a scoop of Bluebell ice cream. With the Graves sisters’ natural business savvy coupled with their decades-long dealings in the area’s active tourism trade, their formula of blending bucketloads of quality, creativity, convenience and exceptional customer service all translated into the successful (but unpretentious) enterprise that remains so popular today.

A current visit to Frio’s Dry Fifty will quickly show that Gayle and Jody, supported by other family members, let the business follow a natural evolutionary path that required multiple expansions from the store’s original 12- by 34-foot dimension into the rustic but impressive 4,000 square-feet it occupies now. It’s still “downhome” in feel but, each of the added-on rooms overflows (In a good way. Not like the Frio in flood) with their signature tees and nowadays, lots of other Concan-appropriate “must-haves.” Beyond the myriad imprinted tee shirts and hoodies, folks can get hats, caps, sandals and shoes, jewelry, totes, toys, outdoor accessories and more, including many items boasting brand name labels. From infants to adults, almost everybody can be accommodated in size and budget with merchandise affordably priced between $3 for a sparkly bracelet up to $350 for a very chic Consuela bag.

And, before or after shopping, guests usually make a little time for the adjacent snack shack where a Hawaiian shaved ice perfectly complements a double scoop of ice cream, still Bluebell of course. Sit a spell and enjoy!

All in all, while any trip to Concan is a good idea, make it even better with a stop (and a purchase) at the very familyfriendly, keepsake-filled Frio’s Dry Fifty. You’ll be glad you did. And, regarding that name… their grandfather had monikers for all of his pastures – the back forty, the river bottom and yep, the “dry fifty,” which didn’t have any natural water on it and where the store now proudly stands. The girls decided that not only was it a great name but it seemed to fit their business “to a tee!” Photos courtesy Frio's Dry 50

FYI • Frio’s Dry Fifty is located in Concan at 21239 TX-127, near the city’s center. For directions and more information including mail order purchases, visit friosdryfifty.com or call 830-232-6300. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram. Summer hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, and Sunday 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.

West Frio River Ranch

Hill Country Calendar

FOURTH SUNDAY

BANDERA: Frontier Times Jamboree. Afternoon jamboree with live music, storytelling, fun. frontiertimesmuseum.org.

EVERY NIGHT

DRIFTWOOD: Live music every night (except Fridays) at Hays City Store. hayscitystoretx.com.

EVERY TUESDAY

GRUENE: Two Ton Tuesdays. Gruene Hall. gruenehall.com.

JOHNSON CITY: Food and Wine Pairing Dinners at Bryans on 290. bryanson290.com.

FIRST TUESDAY

BANDERA: Cowboy Opry. Silver Sage community and senior center hosts this Grand Ole Opry-style show on the first Tuesday of most months. Refreshments and door prizes. SilverSage.org.

EVERY WEDNESDAY

DRIPPING SPRINGS: Farmers Market. Pound House Farmstead at Founders Memorial Park. 3 pm to 6 pm.

EVERY FRIDAY

WIMBERLEY: Friday Night Bingo. Doors open 6:30 pm, Early Bird Bingo at 7 pm, Regular Bingo at 8 pm. BYOB. VFW Post 6441, 401 Jacobs Well Road. vfw6441.com/bingo.

EVERY FRIDAY AND SUNDAY

FREDERICKSBURG: Live music at Texas Heritage Vineyard. 2 pm-4 pm. texasheritagevineyard.com.

SECOND FRIDAY

UVALDE: Four Square Friday. Enjoy late-night shopping, food, live music, and art. Historic Downtown Uvalde, Getty Street.

EVERY SATURDAY

BOERNE: Old Jail Museum Tours. The Kendall County Historic Jail was constructed in 1887 and served for a century as the county jail. Friends of Kendall County Historic Jail have

restored the space, bringing it back to life. Tours offered every Saturday. thejail.org.

FIRST SATURDAY

BANDERA: Market Day (March-December). Vendors sell wares and merchandise on Main Street. banderacowboycapital.com.

KERRVILLE: Kerr County Market Days and Hill Country Swap Meet. kerrmarketdays.org.

ROCKSPRINGS: Homesteaders Swap Meet. Edwards County Senior Activity Center, 104 Kerr Street, 830-499-0925.

WIMBERLEY: Market Day (March-December). The Hill Country’s largest outdoor market! Vendors in more than 490 booths on 20 shaded acres at Lions Field. 7 am to 3 pm. wimberleymarketday.com.

Don't miss the Fourth of July Rodeo at Wimberley's VFW Post 6441 July 5-7! Photo courtesy Oldham-Cummings VFW Post 6441.

See CALENDAR, Page 28

Tina Wilkins and Ron Flint perform at Fredericksburg's Texas Heritage Vineyards June 28. Photo courtesy the artists.

Hill Country Calendar

THIRD SATURDAYS

WIMBERLEY: Wimberley Valley Art Bazaar. Local artists, wine, beer, pizzas, live music. Wimberley Valley Winery noon to 6 pm. 2825 Lone Man Mountain Road,. 512-203-2817.

MOST SATURDAYS

BANDERA: Cowboys on Main. Enjoy free cowboy fun in downtown Bandera. Activities can include chuckwagon storytelling, taking a horse-drawn wagon tour of Bandera, and listening to live Western music. banderabusiness.com EVERY WEEKEND

DRIPPING SPRINGS: Live music at Fox 12 Brewing. 12foxbeer.com.

JUNE 20

WIMBERLEY: Jeff Plankenhorn. Live music at Susanna’s Kitchen Coffee House. Tickets at the door only. Doors 7 pm, music begins at 7:30 pm. 1200 County Road 1492. Wimberley United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

JUNE 21

CONCAN: Ty Myers. Live music at House Pasture Cattle Company. housepasture.com.

JUNE 21

GRUENE: Radney Foster Band. Texas/Americana singersongwriter live at Gruene Hall. gruenehall.com.

JUNE 21-22

STONEWALL: 63rd annual Peach JAMboree and Rodeo. Includes peach judging, the crowning of the Peach Queen, a parade, lots of peach eating and pit spitting, a variety of food, live music, and goat roping. stonewalltexas.com.

Leakey's hometown 4th of July parade. Photo courtesy The Back Porch in Leakey.

Ty Myers performs June 21 at Concan's House Pasture Cattle Company. Photo courtesy Ty Myers.

Hill Country Calendar

JUNE 22

BOERNE: Music in the Cave: Summer Solstice. Featuring the words and music of singer/performance artist Rudi Harst. cavewithoutaname.com.

JUNE 22, JULY 20, AUG. 17

BOERNE: Moondance Concert. Grab your lawn chairs, coolers, and friends, and come enjoy live music from local bands under the oak trees. This summer, the center welcomes Trey Gonzalez, the Randy Carson Band, and Cactus Country. Find details at cibolo.org/moondance.

JUNE 28

CONCAN: Dueling Pianos. Live music at House Pasture Cattle Co. housepasture.com.

JUNE 28-29

NEW BRAUNFELS: Reckless Kelly in Concert. Fixture of Texas country music scene since 1996. whitewaterrocks.com.

JUNE 29-30

AUSTIN: Sips and Sounds Summer Music Festival. Features national headlining artists across two days and multiple stages. Enjoy stellar live music, premium listening experiences, and a selection of local food and drink vendors. sipssoundsfest.com.

JUNE 29

BOERNE: Tour de Boerne. Fastest-growing charity bike ride in the Lone Star State. tourdeboerne.com.

CONCAN: Josh Abbott Band. Live music at House Pasture Cattle Company. housepasture.com.

JULY 3

GRUENE: Dale Watson & His Lone Stars. gruenehall.com

JULY 4

CONCAN: Dueling Pianos. Live music at House Pasture Cattle Company. housepasture.com.

JULY 4

HILL COUNTRY: Happy Independence Day! Full listing of Fourth of July events on page 10 of this issue!

JULY 4-6

BANDERA: 11th Street Cowboy Bar 4th Weekend Celebration featuring Gary P. Nunn, Weldon Henson and Rick Rice Band. 11thstreetcowboybar.com.

JULY 5

CONCAN: Kolby Cooper. Live music at House Pasture Cattle Company. housepasture.com.

JULY 5-6

KERRVILLE: Open Pro Rodeo. Bareback and saddle bronc riding, roping, barrel racing, bull riding, calf scramble, and mutton busting for the kids. facebook.com/lestermeierrodeoco.

JULY 5-7

WIMBERLEY: Fourth of July Rodeo. Bull riding, calf roping, bareback, bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, women’s breakaway roping, barrel racing. vfw6441.com/rodeo.

JULY 5-AUGUST 3

KERRVILLE: Kerr Arts and Cultural Center Art Exhibits. Tuesday through Saturday: Robert and JoAnne Spencer’s “Watercolors;” a fiber arts exhibit; and “Hometown Crafts Teacher’s Show,” featuring the work of local teachers, sponsored by Hometown Crafts and Gifts. kacckerrville.com.

Catch Radney Foster June 21 at Gruene Hall. Photo courtesy Radney Foster.

Gary P. Nunn plays Bandera's 11th Street Cowboy Bar July 5 and Gruene Hall July 21. Photo courtesy Gary P. Nunn.

Hill Country Calendar

JULY 6

CONCAN: Pecos and the Rooftops. Live music at House Pasture Cattle Company. housepasture.com.

LEAKEY: July Jubilee Street Dance. Featuring The Texases and the Grooves. 7:30 pm. FrioCanyonChamber.com.

JULY 6-27

BANDERA: Chuck Wagon Dinner and Show. Live country music, dancing, and Western entertainment. flyingl.com.

JULY 7, 14, 21, 28

BANDERA: Morning Ride and Cowboy Breakfast. At Major Hope Corral horse rescue center. banderahistoricalrides.com.

JULY 12

CONCAN: William Clark Green. Live music at House Pasture Cattle Company. housepasture.com.

GRUENE: Gary P. Nunn. The Texas music legend plays Gruene Hall. gruenehall.com

JULY 12-AUGUST 17

AUSTIN: Zilker Summer Musical. Pack a picnic and enjoy the free, musical at Zilker Hillside Theater. Live performances Thursdays through Sundays. zilker.org

JULY 12-AUGUST 9

INGRAM: Summer ArtMart. Art show/sale with work of artisans from across Texas. hcaf.com/2024-exhibits

JULY 13

CONCAN: The Spazmatics. Live music at House Pasture Cattle Company. housepasture.com.

JULY 13-14

AUSTIN: City-Wide Vintage Sale. Shop more than 100 vendors for clothing, decor, art, collectibles. citywidevintagesale.com.

KERRVILLE: Texas Gun and Knife Show. New and used guns, knives, more. texasgunandknifeshows.com.

Texas singer-songwriter extraordinaire James McMurtry plays Gruene Hall July 19. Photo courtesy James McMurtry.

Find fresh-cut flowers, vegetable and herb plants, potted flowers and hanging baskets from Arnosky Family Farms in the big blue barn at the corner of Ranch Roads 2325 and 165 outside Blanco. TexasColor.com. Photo courtesy Texas

JULY 18

WIMBERLEY: Shake Russell. Live music at Susanna’s Kitchen Coffee House. Tickets at the door only. Doors 7 pm, music begins at 7:30 pm. 1200 County Road 1492. Wimberley United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

JULY 19

CONCAN: Stoney LaRue. Live music at House Pasture Cattle Company. housepasture.com.

GRUENE: James McMurtry. Incomparable Texas singersongwriter plays Gruene Hall. gruenehall.com

JULY 19-21

FREDERICKSBURG: Trade Days. Shop more than 350 vendors in seven barns and acres of antiques, collectibles, tools, crafts, shabby chic, primitives, ranch furniture, hunting accessories, candles, unique clothing, jewelry, food, and other items. Relax and listen to live music in the Biergarten. fbgtradedays.com.

JULY 20

BLANCO: Market Day. Shop more than 70 vendors offering homemade crafts, apparel, home décor, plants, baked goods, art, embroidery and crocheted items, and jewelry. Food vendors, live music. historicblanco.org/market-day.

JULY 20-21

FREDERICKSBURG: Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing. During the summer season, see exciting live horse racing at the fairgrounds’ Class 3 track. Pick your favorites for quarter horse and thoroughbred racing as well as special races, trials, and futurities. gillespiefair.com.

JULY 24

FREDERICKSBURG: Fabulous Finds Market. Enjoy a glass of wine while shopping the summer flea market where you'll find trinkets and treasures. 12 pm to 6 pm. Texas Heritage Vineyard Tasting Room. texasheritagevineyard.com.

JULY 26

CONCAN: The Bellamy Brothers. Live music at House Pasture Cattle Company. housepasture.com.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Live in Concert whitewaterrocks.com.

See CALENDAR, Page 34

Hill Country Calendar

JULY 27

CONCAN: Kevin Fowler. Live music at House Pasture Cattle Company. housepasture.com.

JULY 26-28

UVALDE: "Mary Poppins Jr." Uvalde Grand Opera House. uvaldeoperahouse.org.

JULY 27-28

BANDERA National Day of the American Cowboy. Enjoy chuckwagon cowboy breakfast, gunfighter shows, a BBQ cookoff, live music, kids entertainers, and a rodeo. banderabusiness.com

AUGUST 2

BANDERA: FatBoyz Cruise-In Car Show. Custom autos, rods, classics, muscle cars, trucks, motorcycles, special interest, and vintage vehicles. banderacowboycapital.com.

BANDERA: Kevin Fowler. Live music at 11th Street Cowboy Bar. 11thstreetcowboybar.com.

AUGUST 3

FREDERICKSBURG: Historic Gillespie County Jail Tours. Tour two-story stone structure that served as fourth jail for Gillespie County, organized in 1848 and constructed in 1885. pioneermuseum.org

GEORGETOWN: Blazin’ Beer Crawl. A self-paced walking event features craft beer tastings inside retail stores and restaurants. mainstreet.georgetown.org/beercrawl.

GRUENE: Bob Schneider plays Gruene Hall. gruenehall.com

AUGUST 4, 11, 18, 25

BANDERA: Morning Ride and Cowboy Breakfast. At Major Hope Corral horse rescue center. banderahistoricalrides.com.

AUGUST 8-SEPTEMBER 7

KERRVILLE: Three art exhibits on display Tuesday through Saturday: “Art” by Zena Howe; “Images,” = membership show; and “PhotoQuest,” Hill Country Camera Club’s annual members-only photo contest. kacckerrville.com.

AUGUST 9-10

JUNCTION: Rodeo and Dance. Includes bull riding and nightly dancing. junctiontexas.com.

AUGUST 10

CONCAN: The Spazmatics. Live music at House Pasture Cattle Company. housepasture.com.

AUGUST 15

WIMBERLEY: Austin Lounge Lizards at Susanna’s Kitchen Coffee House. Doors 7 pm, music 7:30 pm. 1200 County Road 1492. Wimberley United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

AUGUST 17-18

AUSTIN: City-Wide Vintage Sale. Shop more than 100 vendors for clothing, decor, art, collectibles. citywidevintagesale.com.

AUGUST 22-25

FREDERICKSBURG: 136th Annual Gillespie County Fair. Livestock shows, exhibits, arts and crafts, live music and dancing, and live pari-mutuel horse racing. gillespiefair.com.

AUGUST 23-25

AUSTIN: PBR Team Series—Gambler Days. Some of the world’s best bull riders and the local Austin Gamblers. More at pbr.com/events/gambler-days.

AUGUST 23

FREDERICKSBURG: Gillespie County Fair Parade. One of the Hill Country’s biggest parades with 200 units, marches down Main Street and kicks off the 135th annual Gillespie County Fair. Bring your chairs and arrive early! gillespiefair.com.

Enjoy fun family entertainment with "Mary Poppins Jr." at Uvalde's Grand Opera House July 26-28.

AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 20

INGRAM: “Fertile Ground” Art Exhibit. Annual juried exhibit that features a range of works by talented artists. Theme is “Landscapes of the Mind.” hcaf.com.

AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 1

UVALDE: Palomino Fest and Pro Rodeo. Live entertainment, carnival, parade and more. palominofest.com

AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 1

BOERNE: 118th Annual Kendall County Fair. Vendors, a Queen’s Pageant, a rodeo and livestock show Friday and Saturday, Bull Riding Extreme Sunday. Parade on Main Street Saturday. kcfa.org.

AUGUST 31

UVALDE: Labor Day Parade. uvalde.org.

See CALENDAR, Page 36

The Bellamy Brothers play House Pasture Cattle Company in Concan July 26. Photo courtesy The Bellamy Brothers.

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Hill Country Calendar

SEPTEMBER 19

WIMBERLEY: Two Tons of Steel. Live music at Susanna’s Kitchen Coffee House. Tickets at the door only. Doors 7 pm, music begins at 7:30 pm. 1200 County Road 1492. Wimberley United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

SEPTEMBER 25-29

NEW BRAUNFELS: Comal County Fair & Rodeo. BBQ Kickoff September 21. PRCA Rodeo, carnival, livestock show, exhibits, live music, food. ComalCountyFair.org.

OCTOBER 4-13

AUSTIN: Austin City Limits Music Festival. One of the country’s largest celebrations of music, this six-day festival brings the magic of the famed public TV series “Austin City Limits” into Austin’s most beloved park with 140+ musical acts on eight stages over two weekends. aclfestival.com.

NOVEMBER 8-10

LEAKEY: 3rd Annual Songs on the Frio Music Festival. Performances from songwriters in a beautiful setting. Featuring Brett James, Aaron Barker, and more. SongsOnTheFrio.com.