There is never a shortage of things to celebrate in Williamson County and area communities do it up right year round with the following events:
July
Taylor’s 4th of July Festival
This event will be held in the afternoon and evening July 4 at Murphy Park, 1600 Veterans Drive. The patriotic event features games, food and craft vendors, swimming and other activities before the annual fireworks display. Visit www.taylorchamber.org or call (512) 365-8485 for details.
LibertyFest
Liberty Fest is Leander’s annual July Fourth celebration featuring live music, good food, fireworks and fun for the whole family. This year’s event will be held from 6-10 p.m. at the H-E-B on July 4. For details, visit www.leandertx.org or call (512) 528-9909.
Cedar Park Fourth of July
Celebrate the patriotic holiday in Cedar Park with the annual Cedar Park Fourth of July celebration that includes a dance, live music, food concessions, face painting, carnival games, sack races, a washer tournament and more. The day of family fun ends with a magnificent fireworks display at Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., For more, visit www.ci.cedar-park.tx.us or call (512) 401-5500. and area communities do it up right year round with the following events:
July 4 Frontier Days
The City of Round Rock’s July 4th Frontier Days Celebration will be held July 4 at Olde Settlers Park, 3300 East Palm Valley. Independence Day festivities will begin with free watermelon at the Lakeview Pavilion. Next, skydivers will fly into the festivities; then guests will enjoy music from the Austin Symphonic Band with the fireworks display beginning after dark. The festival also includes a parade, jalapeno pepper eating contest, children’s games, Sam Bass Shootout and more. Visit www.roundrocktexas.gov or contact the City of Round Rock at (512) 218-5400.
Taylor Rodeo
The Annual Taylor Rodeo celebrates the American cowboy and is chock full of rodeo action, dancing and performances. Take part in calf scrambles, mutton busting and wild steer saddling events. Now in it’s 63rd year, this year’s rodeo will be held July 20 and 21 at the East Williamson County Events Center, 210 Carlos G. Parker Blvd. Visit www.taylorrodeo.com for more.
August
The Taylor International Barbecue Cookoff
The 35th Annual Taylor International Barbeque cookoff will be held Aug. 17 and 18 at Murphy Park, 1600 Veterans Drive. Cookers compete in seven meat categories, including beef brisket, pork ribs, poultry, seafood, wild game, goat and lamb. Proceeds benefit several non-profit organizations. For more, visit www.taylorjaycees.org or call (512) 365-8485.
September
SPJST Barbecue Cookoff
The Taylor SPJST Lodge #29’s 12th Annual Barbecue Cookoff will be held Sept. 28 and 29 this year. Barbecue cooks from across Central Texas submit entries in a variety of categories, including pork ribs, brisket, chicken, jackpot beans, cook’s choice, dessert and even best rig. The event features a silent auction and two days of live music and dancing. To find out more, visit www.taylorchamber.org or call (512) 365-8485.
Hairy Man Festival
Brushy Creek’s Annual Hairy Man Festival is held in late September in Cat Hollow Park, 8600 O’Connor Road, in Round Rock. The family centered event is sponsored by The Brushy Creek Women’s Association and the Brushy Creek MUD to raise money for local charities and offers a full day of food, arts & crafts, children’s activities, special performances and live music all day. The pinnacle event is the Hairiest Man contest, which features a cash prize. Details available at www.
hairymanfestival.org
Leander Bluegrass Festival
The City of Leander and Suddenlink Communications sponsor the Annual Bluegrass Festival, part of Leander’s free live music series. This year’s festival will take place Sept. 28 and 29 in Robin Bledsoe Park, 601 S. Bagdad. Enjoy live performances on the amphitheatre stage and bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic basket. For details, visit www.leandertx.gov or call (512) 528-9909.
October
Georgetown AirFest
The Annual Georgetown AirFest at the Georgetown Municipal Airport features dozens of World War II-era planes and a wide variety of other aircraft. Event includes flyovers, air rides (for a fee), and planes on static display. The next AirFest will be held the first weekend of October. Details available at www.airfestgeorgetown.org or by calling (512) 930-3666.
Hutto Olde Tyme Days
Go back in time at Hutto’s Olde Tyme Days, to be held Saturday, Oct. 20, downtown along historic East Street. Arts, crafts, games, a parade and musical performances have made this old-fashioned festival a family favorite for 26 years. For details, visit www.huttooldetymedays.com or contact the Hutto Area Chamber of Commerce, (512) 759-4400.
Up the Chisholm Trail Days and Chuckwagon Cook-off
Georgetown’s Chisholm Trail Days, slated for Oct. 19-20, captures the spirit of those who blazed the famous trail in the 1800s. Kicking off with a chuckwagon cookoff, the festival includes cowboy songs, western authors, rope tricks and a flag presentation by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse. Western-themed vendor booths and kids corral, live music and a barbecue contest make this a fun event for the whole family. To find out more, visit www.williamsonmuseum.org or call The Williamson Museum 716 S. Austin Ave. Georgetown, at (512) 943-1670.
Taylor Airport Fly-In
Airport fly-in events are scheduled several times a year at The Taylor Municipal Airport on U.S. Highway 79 west of downtown sponsors a community fly-in Oct. 13. The fly-in features aircraft from all over the region and is geared toward children and families. Previous fly-ins have featured helicopters, the largest bi-plane in the world, vendor booths and a ping pong ball drop. For information, call the Airport at (512) 352-5747.
November
Lighting of the Square
Experience the magic of the holiday season with the annual Lighting of the Square, traditionally held at dusk on the Friday after Thanksgiving in Georgetown’s historic downtown square. This year’s event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 23, 2012. Sing along with the Austin Carolers to favorite holiday tunes and warm up with cookies and hot chocolate. For details, go to http://visit.georgetown.org or call (800) 436-8696.
December
Taylor Historic Homes Tour
Sponsored by the Taylor Heritage and Conservation Society, this tour of historic homes is held in early December and benefits a scholarship program for Taylor High School students planning to study history or architecture. Visit www.taylorheritagesociety.org or call (512) 365-4625 for details.
Georgetown Christmas Stroll
Bring the family and walk through a Bethlehem Village on the historic square in Georgetown in early December. A hometown holiday parade, live entertainment, tempting treats and more than 75 arts and crafts booths round out this holiday celebration. A winter wonderland, kid-friendly activities and a visit with Santa will keep the little ones busy. Have a chat with Santa! Fore details, visit www.thegeorgetownsquare.com or call the Downtown Georgetown Association at (512) 868-8675.
Round Rock Christmas Family Night
The City of Round Rock rings in the season with its annual Christmas Family Night celebration in early December in historic downtown. The event kicks off with a welcome from the mayor, followed by the illumination of the street and water tower. Then Santa makes his grand entrance in a horse-drawn sleigh along downtown streets decorated with small wooden houses. Activities include candlemaking, carriage rides, game booths, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus and more. Visit www.roundrocktexas.gov or contact the City of Round Rock at (512) 218-5400 for more.
Taylor Lighted Christmas Parade
Celebrate the Christmas season at Taylor’s annual Christmas Parade of Lights through downtown Dec. 1. Enjoy holiday shopping at the Taylor Christmas Bazaar and long Main Street. Sponsored by the Taylor Chamber of Commerce, this family friendly event is full of holiday spirit and sure to delight all ages. Visit www.taylorchamber.org or call (512) 365-8485 for details.
Candlelight Services
The Candlelight Services at Lois Perkins Chapel of Southwestern University are a long-standing December tradition celebrating the season
of Advent. This service of lessons and carols includes a special musical repertoire by the University Chorale. A holiday reception will follow the late service in the McCombs Campus Center. Information available at southwestern.edu, or by calling (512) 863-1527.
Cedar Park Holiday Tree Lighting
It’s a celebration as the more than 50,000 lights that illuminate the largest Live Oak Tree in Cedar Park are turned on in a traditional ceremony held at Heritage Oak Park, 875 Quest Parkway, Dec. 7 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Cedar Park’sTree Lighting/Santa’s Workshop. Enjoy live music, carriage rides, games & prizes, yule fire, food concessions, arts and crafts and, of course, Santa Claus. For more, visit www.ci.cedar-park.tx.us or call (512) 401-5500.
Lights of the Blacklands
Tour spectacular holiday lighting displays in communities throughout the Central Texas Blackland Prairie region, including Taylor. For more information, visit www.taylorchamber.org or call (512) 365-8485 for details.
March 2013
Leander Devine Lake Kite Festival
Go fly a kite at Leander’s Devine Lake Park, 1000 Maplecreek, during March at the Devine Lake Kite Festival. Demonstrations, kite team events and a public flying area. For more information, visit www.leandertx.org or call the Leander Parks and Recreation Dept. at (512) 528-9909.
April 2013
National Rattlesnake Sacking Championship
The Taylor Jaycees host the Annual National Rattlesnake Sacking Championship in April at Murphy Park in Taylor. The object of rattlesnake sacking is to get 10 live rattlesnakes, with fangs and venom intact, into a burlap sack in the least amount of time possible. Watch the live action and enjoy food, arts and crafts, a petting zoo and a carnival. For more, visit www.taylorjaycees.org or call (512) 803-5855.
Georgetown Red Poppy Festival
The whole family is sure to have fun on the weekend in April at the Red Poppy Festival in Georgetown’s historic downtown square. Featuring over 100 artisans from across the nation, the festival also includes an Open Car Show, a kids zone, live entertainment and a Saturday night concert and street dance! Find details at www.redpoppyfestival.com or call (800) 436-8696.
Cedar Park Heritage Festival
Celebrate Cedar Park’s history at this festival held April 13, 2013 at Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd. The family friendly event includes a parade, the Championship Hamburger Cookoff, pony rides, carnival games, train rides, historical displays and demonstrations, sack races, stick horse rodeo, corn on the cob eating contest and more. Get details by visiting www.ci.cedar-park.tx.us or calling (512) 401-5500.
May 2013
Taylor Zestfest
The Taylor Zest Fest takes place the first weekend in May in Taylor’s historic downtown district. Sponsored by the Main Street program, festival activities include pony rides, a petting zoo, arts and crafts vendors, food and live music and entertainment. For details, visit www.ci.taylor.tx.us or call the Main Street Office at (512) 352-3675, ext 36.
Fiesta Amistad
Fiesta Amistad has grown into Central Texas’ largest Hispanic two-day event. Held on Memorial Day weekend at the Old Settlers Association, 3300 Palm Valley Blvd. on Hwy 79, east of Round Rock, the festival sponsored by Round Rock’s El Amistad Club features live music, plenty of food and family entertainment. Find out more at www.elamistadclub.com
Granger Lakefest
Held Mother’s Day weekend in May the park across from Granger City Hall, 214 E. Davilla Street, Granger Lakefest includes a kolache sale, parade, arts and crafts, a barbecue cookoff, children’s activities, an auction, a car/truck/tractor/motorcycle show and horseshoe tournament. Enjoy a variety of food and drink, live music during the day and a dance in the evening. Call Granger City Hall at (512) 859-2755.
June 2013
Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo
Held in June and sanctioned by the Cowboy’s Professional Rodeo Association, this rodeo includes some of the top cowboys from all over the US and is sure to entertain. The rodeo is held annually at the Show Barn in San Gabriel Park, 415 E. Morrow Street. Find out more at www.georgetownrodeo.com or by calling (512) 508-4684.
Taylor Tractor Pull
Hosted each June by the Taylor Rodeo Association at the East Williamson County Events Center, 210 Carlos G. Parker Blvd., this event features lots of action with truck and tractor pull events held over two nights. Divisions include pro Stock, two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and money prizes are awarded. Find out more at www.taylorrodeo.com.
Stiles Farm Field Days
Field Day at Stiles Farm is held every June at the 3,000-acre farm located at 5700 FM 1063 in Thrall. New and innovative farm practices are demonstrated at the historic farm operated by the Stiles Farm Foundation. Field Days have been hosted there since 1963 and attract large groups to view demonstrations and education exhibits. For more, call (512) 898-2214.