Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg, Texas

September 8th, 2010

Only a few weeks remaining before Oktoberfest Weekend in Fredericksburg, TX.  Oompah at its best, the aroma of sizzling bratwurst, and the cries of “Prosit” once again herald the arrival of Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg, Texas, October 1, 2 & 3, 2010. For three full days, the whole world is invited to sing, toast and dance at one of Fredericksburg’s favorite festivals, celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year!
· Kicking off the anniversary celebration will be a mini parade and opening ceremony featuring a Tuba Jam on Friday starting at 5:30 PM, an evening not to be missed.
· Saturday morning, be sure to join us for our Chicken Dance Block Party. Registration will begin at 9:00 AM, complete details found on website.
· Domino tournament and sing-a-longs on Sunday.

Weekend Festivities Include:    

· Three covered stages hosting continuous entertainment with some German favorites — oompah, polka, and waltzing, with exhibitions, contests, and plenty of opportunities for dancing – including the irresistible “Chicken Dance!”
· Over 45 juried artisans from across the state fill two big tents, offering their best arts and collectibles.    
· Main Street Art Tent features a select group of Hill Country artists who will be selling their fine art.
· Lots of German foods, plus sizzling fajitas, ice cream, strudel, burgers and fries and much more.
· Adventurous tasters can sample over 30 varieties of German, American, Texan and other imported beer.
· Super kids area where they can play to their heart’s content on the Bungee Jump, Jumping Castle, and other fun games and activities right on the grounds.

OKTOBERFEST is a colorful, festive celebration of Fredericksburg, Texas’ German heritage. Come be part of the celebration and join in the fun.

For information call 866-839-3378 or 830-997-4810, or visit the website at www.oktoberfestinfbg.com.

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First Friday Art Walk Kicks Off Labor Day Weekend in Fredericksburg, Texas

August 30th, 2010

Art lovers this is your opportunity to enjoy extended hours until 8:00 pm on this Friday, September 3 as participating Fredericksburg fine art galleries share exhibits and special events throughout the day.  There’s no cost to attend.   Also, many galleries are beginning new shows as well.

Whistle Pik Galleries – Nationally renowned artist G. Harvey will be featured in a one-man show beginning this Friday, September 3 and running through September 24 at Whistle Pik Galleries at 425 E. Main St. in Fredericksburg.  This show is his first major event in Texas in over 24 years.  His impressionistic paintings – depicting turn-of-the-century rural western scenes and cityscapes – have been exhibited at the National Archives, the Treasury Building, and the Smithsonian Institute. An opening reception with the artist will be held this Friday from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. and September 24, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  The public is invited to see G. Harvey’s collection, including his 25 new works.  Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.  For information, call 830-990-8151 / 800-990-0820 or visit www.whistlepik.com .

Agave Gallery – The works of Van Edwards, freelance photographer and educator, will be exhibited at the Agave Gallery on Friday, September 3 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Edwards’ photography is of the Texas Hill Country, Big Bend, and the Texas border.  A reception for the photographer will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m., with wines from Becker Vineyards and Grape Creek Vineyards.  The gallery is located at 208 E. San Antonio St.  For details about the reception, artist, or gallery, call 830-990-1727 or visit www.agavegallery.com .

Artisans at Rocky Hill – Proudly presents “It’s a Mosaic World” featuring the fabulously fun and colorfully created mosaic art of Suzan Germond.  The opening reception, showcasing 35 new wall and sculptural pieces, is this Friday, September 3, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Wines by Torre di Pietra Vineyards will be served along with cheeses from the Amish Market.  Suzan will demonstrate her art on Saturday, September 4 from 2:00 -5:00 p.m., and her show will be in place through Saturday, September 18.  The gallery is located at 234 W. Main St. in Fredericksburg.  To learn more about this event or the gallery itself, call 830-990-8160 or log on to www.artisansatrockyhill.com .

The Good Art Company – Welcomes the public to an opening reception for featured artist Jake Pratt on Friday, September 3 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the gallery at 211 W. Main St., in Fredericksburg.  Stop by, see Pratt’s collection, The Way I See It, and enjoy wines from Becker Vineyards and Grape Creek Vineyards and hors d’ oeuvres.  For information, call 830-997-1111 or visit www.thegoodartco.com .

Pioneer Museum – Artist Joy Schuhmacher will demonstrate the art of plein air painting from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 4 at the Pioneer Museum at 325 W. Main St.  Museum admission will be waived on Saturday for artists who sketch or paint, so bring your easels and join Joy in the demonstrations.  Special kids activities will also be available.  This event is free with regular museum admission.  For more information, call 830-997-2835 or visit www.pioneermuseum.net .

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Touring the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, TX

August 19th, 2010

Texas White House

While you are in Fredericksburg, TX don’t miss the LBJ Ranch.  It’s just a short 20 minute drive from town in the heart of the Texas Hill Country Winery region.  It’s a great addition to a day of wine tasting and exploring the area.  In the summer during peach season you will find many orchards selling fresh peaches.  This year’s harvest has been the best in a long time.

Once you arrive at the park, stop at the Visitor’s Center and pick up a driving permit.   You will also receive a map indicating the tour route and a CD containing narrative audio for the route.  You can then tour the ranch at your own pace.   When you arrive at the Texas White House, obtain a ticket for a 25 minute house tour at the Airplane Hangar.  The house is available for tours daily from 10:00-4:30.

The LBJ Ranch was where Lyndon B. Johnson was born, lived, died, and was buried.   He loved the area and spent as much time as he could here.  In fact, President Johnson flew home to his Texas ranch 74 times during his 5 years in office, living and working for 490 days—or about one-fourth of his presidency—at the Texas White House.  After LBJ’s death in 1973, Mrs. Johnson continued to live at the Ranch part time until her death in 2007.  The Texas White House was officially opened to the public on August 27, 2008. Rooms available for public tours include the President’s Office, living room, and dining room, restored to their 1963-1968 appearance.   It’s really interesting to see how he ran the country with the technology available at that time. 

LBJ was a big lover of cars and some of his collection is still at the ranch and available for viewing.  He would inspect the ranch in one of his many Lincoln Continental convertibles, many times with visiting dignitaries or heads of state.  He loved surprising his guests with a ride into the Pedernales River in his Amphicar.  This is one of the cars you can view on display.  Amphicar

Just recently a Jet Star aircraft retired from service 28 years ago was reassembled for permanent display at the LBJ Ranch.  It was used by President Johnson before and during his presidency.

 In addition to the house and driving tour, the Visitor Center has a timeline exhibit of the President’s life and a description of the Great Society legislation.  There is also a bookstore with lots of information on LBJ and Lady Bird as well as the hill country’s plants and wildlife.  You can also visit the Johnson Settlement which includes exhibits focusing on the cattle business and has Texas longhorns on the property.   It’s definitely worth taking the time to visit.

LBJ Ranch Aerial Photo

LBJ Air Force One

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Fun-filled Girlfriends Weekend in September

August 3rd, 2010

It’s time to make your plans for a fun-filled September weekend in the Texas Hill Country.  There are two events that make a perfect girlfriend getaway.  On Friday and Saturday, September 10-11, there is ‘Shopping for a Cause’ and Sunday, September 12 is the ‘Tour & Savor Fredericksburg’ event.  It will be a weekend full of shopping, good food, fun and of course, good friends.

 Shopping for a Cause is a fun, exciting, competitive shopping fundraiser benefiting the Fredericksburg Unit of the Boys & Girls Club of the Texas Hill Country. Think golf tournament where “holes” are stores, scoring is strategic shopping and the 19th Hole is a celebration at the historic Nimitz National Museum of the Pacific War.  Create your team of four and have a great time shopping and experiencing the fun of Fredericksburg.  Get all the details on the website Shopping for a Cause.

 On Sunday, September 12, the Tour & Savor Fredericksburg event combines eight unique lodging properties with cuisine and shop displays.  Its an opportunity for you to see the variety of lodging offered in the area as well as taste foods from local eateries and see some of the merchandise available in our local shops.  Tickets are $30 per person and include the Grand Finale at Cotton Gin Village and Cabernet Grill.  For details check out the website at Tour & Savor Fredericksburg.  A portion of the proceeds from the event will also be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of the Texas Hill Country.

 It’s a great way to spend the weekend and help out a good cause.  Of course, we’d love to have you stay at the Magnolia House and treat you to some Southern Hospitality and award winning breakfasts!

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Zip Line Through the Texas Hill Country

July 27th, 2010

While our daughter was visiting from Miami we were looking for something new and different to do while she was here.  We remembered seeing something about zip lining at a place near Marble Falls.  After a little research we found Cypress Valley Canopy Tours and booked a reservation. 

What a thrill it was, Cypress Valley Canopy Tours provides an “Eco-adventure” that has you flying through the canopy of old growth cypress trees, some over 500 years old and over 100 feet tall.  You experience a whole new world as you zip line from platform to platform high in the trees. 

Cypress Valley Adventures was the first zip line operation opened in the United States.  Our tour was expertly guided by Elena and Ben, two knowledgeable and fun guides for our afternoon adventure.  They provided us with the knowledge of how to safely zip line through the air as well as many fun facts regarding the environment we were experiencing.   There are many residents in Cypress Valley including birds, butterflies, buffalo, deer and more. The constant supply of water and numerous limestone crevices and outcroppings bring many different species here for food, water and shelter.

Cypress Valley Adventures offer three different tours; the Canopy Tour, the Canopy Challenge, and the Sunrise Birding Tour.  Being novice zip liners we opted for the Canopy Tour (required for first time visitors).  This tour was an hour and a half taking us through a Cypress lined ravine that we zip lined and sky bridged our way through.

The Canopy Challenge is for individuals that have completed the Canopy Tour and are looking for further adventure.  The tour takes approximately two hours and is done in a different part of the ravine.  This challenge can be done on the same day or scheduled for a later visit. 

The Sunrise Birding Tour takes place on Saturdays and explores the beautiful creek ravine at sunrise as the birds are waking and singing to the world.  Unlike other birding tours this one takes you into the trees with the birds.  Your guide is a local wildlife biologist who will have you listen, look, and explore the diverse community of birds in the cypress lined ravine.

It was an experience we thoroughly enjoyed and recommend to anyone who is a little adventurous.   For more information visit www.cypressvalleycanopytours.com 

Zip line over the ravine

Approaching the platform

Sky bridge to a platform

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Wild Seed Farms 4th Annual Gourmet Chili Pepper and Salsa Festival

July 15th, 2010

It’s hot times in Fredericksburg on July 23 & 24 as Wild Seed Farms hosts their fourth annual tribute to all varieties of chili peppers.  Wild Seed Farms is normally known for their fields of wild flowers, the site also has a large pepper crop that is ready to harvest.  All interested festival goers will be able to pay only $5.00 per container to pick their own peppers.  There is a variety to choose from including chilies, ethnic, sweet, southwestern, ornamental, and other varieties. 

Also available will be ready to eat products offered by over two dozen food vendors from across Texas.  The market will include samplings to taste such as pepper laced gourmet salsas, seasonings, pastas, and roasted nuts and more.  Not sure what to do with all those varieties of peppers, well attendees will be able to see live cooking demonstrations by local chefs on Saturday afternoon. 

Entertainment will also be a big part of the festivities.  Music on Friday night will be by Ponty Bone and The Squeezetones, and on Saturday, Rotel and The Red Hot Tomatoes (named one of the top 10 party bands in the U.S. by Harpers Bazaar magazine) will perform.  Also, Friday evening at dusk there will be numerous hot air balloons converging on the grounds to conduct a “glow”.  The event is named for the lit-up appearance of the billowy globes as pilots simultaneously fire air into their balloons which remain tethered to baskets on the ground.  The following morning the balloonists will perform a group launch to fill the sky with colors. 

Tickets cost $10 for those over the age of 12, $5 for those under 12.  Tickets include access to the festival grounds, the hot air balloon show, the chef demonstrations, talks by experts, the Butterfly Haus, the market center, the Brewbonnet Bier Garten, the wildflower fields, spicy pepper fields and more.

For more information visit www.wildseedfarms.com

Hot Air Balloon Glow

Gourmet Chile Pepper & Salsa Festival

 

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Night In Old Fredericksburg Celebration

July 9th, 2010

Night In Old Fredericksburg (NIOF) is a two night and two day festival celebrating the town’s German heritage.  This year marks the festival’s 47th anniversary and is sponsored by the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce on July 16 & 17, 2010.  This annual event showcases the history, culture, food and fun of Fredericksburg, Texas.

Attendees will be entertained by a variety of music performed by nine different bands.  Of course you can’t have German celebration without Polka.  Music fans will also enjoy show tunes and country music all presented on two different stages. 

NIOF offers a multicultural menu of tasty food and refreshing drinks ranging from German favorites of wurst and sauerkraut hot off the grill, to Mexican fajitas and tacos, and even burgers, fries and turkey legs.  A variety of liquid refreshments will be available including more than 15 domestic and imported beers as well as a variety wine from our local wineries.

There will be presentations on the grounds that will bring local history alive with exhibits of pioneer crafts, and activities.   Numerous vendors will have collectibles, gifts and one-of-a-kind creations on display and available for purchase.   

Night In Old Fredericksburg is a fun time for everyone in the family.  Come out and join in the fun of this wonderful celebration on July 16 & 17, 2010

Night In Old Fredericksburg

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Cycling the Texas Hill Country

July 1st, 2010

The Texas Hill County is a cycling paradise with miles of scenic, hilly roads to explore.  Whether you are a beginner cyclist or a seasoned rider there are riding routes to please everyone’s tastes.  If you are interested in a casual ride through some of the most beautiful countryside in Texas or if you are looking for an intense workout you will thoroughly enjoy the varied terrain offered here. 

Fredericksburg, Texas is a great home base to use for its’ easy access to some terrific riding routes and the ability to take advantage of the wonderful varied lodging, restaurants, and attractions in the area.  All this adds up to an ideal retreat for cyclists and non-cyclists alike.  Being centrally located in Texas makes it easy access for cyclists from all over the state as well as visitors from outside of Texas.   Fredericksburg is conveniently located to both Austin and San Antonio making it a terrific vacation destination.

If you are thinking about planning a cycling trip to the Texas Hill Country a terrific resource to use is provided by the Cycling Capital of Texas website at www.cycletexas.com.  It is the definitive resource for cycling vacations in Central Texas.  This site provides self-guided cycling routes with detailed maps, distance and climbing information, turn-by-turn directions, points of interest,  and food & drink stops (or not) along the route.  You can also find a “Visitor Resources” section to help you plan your trip.

One of my favorite rides is a 36 mile route called “Bike Camp”.  This route takes you through some beautiful countryside where the most traffic you will have in some areas are the cattle and sheep grazing along the road side.  It’s a route that has many easy sections, some more intense sections, and a couple of hard climbs.  It’s a great workout and many seasoned riders use this as a training route. 

If time only allows for a short ride then “Espresso” is the route to take.  It is a 23 mile ride with no severe slopes.  The route takes you north of town on an enjoyable loop called the “Promised Land” thanks to a sign by a local land owner that features a twisting and rolling roadway.  It is a fun ride without going too far from town.

Whatever your cyclist level is you will find the suggested riding routes on the Cycling Capital of Texas website to be a helpful guide.  Come enjoy our beautiful country side and ride the Texas Hill Country!

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Rockbox Theater Fredericksburg, TX

June 24th, 2010

Besides the great live music scene here in Fredericksburg, Rockbox Theater offers “Funtabulous” entertainment every weekend that will have you smiling, singing, and laughing right along with the entertainers. 

Rockbox is a professionally cast live music theater that provides high energy top notch entertainment for the whole family.  Young and old alike and everyone in between will enjoy the professional presentation of a wide variety of musical artists and styles.  The show is a fun mix of comedy and Rock-n-Roll favorites.  Every weekend, the resident cast presents a live music production filled with costumes, choreography, and comedy. The cast of entertainers stays the same, but the show changes every weekend.  Rockbox Theater is the only professionally cast live-music rock-n-roll show in the Texas Hill Country that guarantees family-friendly entertainment.

Here’s the “Funtabulous” news – beginning Thursday, June 17 and running through August 5, Rockbox Theater will expand its weekly schedule to include Thursday night performances at 7:00 p.m.   Singer Jason Catron, whose voice has been likened to celebrity performer Josh Groban, will join the Rockbox Theater cast with guest performances beginning Thursday, June 24, and running through Sunday, and July 1-4.  For ticket information, call 830-997-ROCK or visit online at www.rockboxtheater.com . 

Come experience professional family-friendly live entertainment from the golden era of rock n roll onstage at Rockbox Theater, a 392-seat indoor theater at 109 N Llano, just one block off Main Street.

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Visit Wildseed Farms

June 18th, 2010

A visit to Wildseed Farms just outside of Fredericksburg, TX will not disappoint you.  There is so much to see and do.  There are over 200 acres planted with wildflowers and you can purchase seeds to take home and grow your own flowers from the Market Center.  When we visited the Sunflowers were just starting to bloom.  There were also fields of Standing Cyprus which were a striking shade of orange.

In addition to enjoying the flowers in bloom you can walk through nature paths and experience the Butterfly Haus.  Open March through October, the Butterfly Garden is designed to create a habitat that attracts, protects, and nourishes the butterfly through all four stages of its life. Butterflies need food (plants and flowers), water, shelter and host plants on which the female butterfly lays her eggs.  The butterflies are very friendly and will often land on you or pose for pictures.

You can also relax and enjoy cold drinks, sandwiches, ice cream, cold beer and wine in the Brewbonnet Biergarten.  Sample jams, salsas and jellies in the market or browse the nursery for pots and plants for your garden at home.  The Market Center has a huge selection of gardening gadgets, Texas gifts, jewelry, toys, women’s apparel and much more.

On your drive through the Texas Hill Country between Fredericksburg and Wildseed Farms don’t miss our new family of camels on the south side of Highway 290!  A-von is the newest addition to the Rocky Hill Preserve.  Just 5 weeks old, he stays close to his mother Coco and dad Big Mac.

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