AVINGER ~ HUGHES SPRINGS ~ LINDEN45th Annual Wildflower Trails of Texas Festival APRIL 23 - 25, 2015

lindenwildflowertrails.net(903) 240-1394

avingertxchamber.com(903) 562-1000

hughesspringstxusa.com(903) 639-7519

Each Spring, thousands of varieties of wildflowers bloom in East Texas and the start of the season signals a celebration.

Come enjoy the flowers, plants, art, quilts, food, crafts, exhibits, parades, and entertainment for all ages.

BEAUMONTThe Gusher Marathon, Half-Marathon & 5KMARCH 7, 2015Lamar University Montagne Center(409) 781-2932thegushermarathon.com The Exygon & Baptist Hospitals Gusher Marathon is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. Other distances offered include the Exxpress Mart Half Marathon and the Kinsel Ford 5K. Individual and team options available with both runners and walkers welcome.

South Texas State FairMARCH 26 - APRIL 5, 2015

Ford Park Event Center(409) 832-9991ymbl.org

It’s a good time to have a great time at the 72nd annual South Texas State Fair! The fair features a carnival midway, rodeo, food and merchandise vendors, livestock auction, kids fun zone and more.

Crawfish, Food & Music FestivalMAY 9, 2015

Parkdale Mall(409) 866-2400boyshaven.com

Join us for the 30th annual Crawfish, Food & Music Festival benefiting Boys’ Haven of America. Enjoy crawfish, food, live entertainment, a car show and fun for everyone!

CONROEConcours d’EleganceAPRIL 24-26, 2015

La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa(936) 522-3500concoursoftexas.org

Visitors to theConcours d’Elegance of Texas can look forward to a spectacular gathering of over 200 rare and exotic classic motorcars, sports cars, and racers, all assembled in the glorious lake-side setting of La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa.

CLARKSVILLE3rd Annual Langford Lake BBQ cook-offMAY 16

Langford Lake Camping Grounds(903) 427-2645redrivercoc.com

Non-sanctioned Event with two categories-Brisket and Pork

Ribs. Prize money in both categories. Rules and Registration forms: redrivercoc.com. FOR THE PUBLIC: Serving starts 5 PM, $10 a plate including drink. Live Music.

JACKSONVILLETomato FestJUNE 13, 2015

Downtown, Commerce Street(903) 586-2217jacksonvilletexas.com

Come celebrate our 31st Annual Tomato Fest! This event is free and fun for the entire family! Including many activities,arts & crafts booths, Antique Car Show, entertainment, local farmers, great food and more!

GLADEWATEREast Texas Gusher DaysAPRIL 17-19, 2015

Antique District(903) 845-5501gusher-days.com

Come celebrate the nostalgia of the Oil Boom Days in Gladewater with a Heritage Parade, Chili Cook Off, Car Show, Hip Hop Amusements, Arts & Crafts, Live Musical Entertainment and much much more.

Gladewater Round Up RodeoJUNE 10-13, 2015

Gladewater Rodeo Arena(903) 845-5501gladewaterrodeo.com

Since 1937 Gladewater has featured one of the best known, nationally sanctioned PRCA Rodeos in America. 4 days of old-west style, bronco-bustin’ rodeo.

Gladewater Main Street Art StrollAUGUST 8, 2015

Downtown Gladewater(903) 845-5753gladewatermainstreet.com

Features paintings, sculpture, pottery, drawings, photography, live entertainment and demonstrations in the Antique District.

HUNTSVILLE37th Walker County Fair, Rodeo & Barbeque CookoffAPRIL 3-10

Walker County Fair Grounds(936) 291-8763walkercountyfair.com

Enjoy a barbeque cook-off, Pro Rodeo events, livestock exhibits, a carnival, contests, dances and more at the 37th Annual Fair & Rodeo.

GENERAL SAM HOUSTONFOLK FESTIVALMAY 1-3

Sam Houston Memorial Museum(936) 294-1832Huntsvilletexas.com

Celebrate the life and times of General Sam Houston: festival includes life skill demonstrations, authentic century dress, entertainment and children’s activities.

12th Bi-Annual Airing of the QuiltsMAY 2, 2015

Downtown Courthouse Square(936) 295-8322tallpinesquiltguild.com

The “Airing the Quilts” is held annually the first Saturday in May “On the Square” in historic downtown Huntsville. New & old quilts decorate the courthouse square creating a colorful background for the largest outdoor quilt show & market in Texas.

LONGVIEWAlleyfestMAY 16, 2015

Downtown(903) 237-4000alleyfest.org

AlleyFest is one day packed with fun. Come enjoy Marketplace, Kids Fest, Alley Run, and Music Fest all in downtown Longview, Texas. It’s a day full of activity for the whole family.

T Bone Walker Blues FestivalJUNE 5 - 6, 2015

Maude Cobb Activity Center100 Grand Blvd.(903) 237-1230tbonewalkerbluesfest.com

A 2-day, 2-stage celebration of the legendary bluesman, Aaron “T-Bone” Walker and Blues music.

The event features delta blues and electric blues musicians, food and merchandise vendors. There is an indoor stage and an outdoor stage.

U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championships & Great Texas Balloon RaceJULY 21 - 26, 2015

East Texas Regional Airport(903) 237-4000greattexasballoonrace.com

It’s a world class event attracting the very best competitive pilots. On Friday and Saturday Balloon Glows provide an awesome display of color and Live Concerts rock the stage. Food and merchandise vendors will also be there.

Image by Brinda Mandella

WELCOME TO EAST TEXASTHE PLACE WHERE TEXAS BEGINS!

The Texas Forest Trail Region is a 35-county area of East Texas where legendary trails and towns pre-dating the Lone Star State are nestled among towering pines and refreshing lakes, proving that our history and culture come naturally.

Bird, hike, kayak, or camp in our national forests, state parks, and abundant rivers. Explore Texas history from the pre-historic Caddo Indians, to the Texas Revolution, to the boom of oil, railroad, and timber industries at our museums and historic sites. Luxurious bed and breakfasts, historic downtown shops, friendly folks, and restaurants serving uniquely-Texas cuisine await to welcome you to the right side of Texas.

For more information about what to see and do while you’re in the area visit our web site www.TexasForestTrail.com.

plains trail

fortstrailpecos

trail

forest trail

independence trail

tropical trail

lakes trail

brazos trail

hill countr y

trailImage by Rebecca Narramore

March . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-31 Nacogdoches,TX:AzaleaTrail•nacogdochesazaleas.com1-8 Palestine,TX:1836ChuckwagonRaces•1836chuckwagonrace.com20-31 Tyler,TX:Azalea&SpringFlowerTrail•visittyler.com/azaleatrail7 Beaumont,TX:TheGusherMarathon•thegushermarathon.com12-14 Orange,TX:CelebrateOrchids!•shangrilagardens.org14-15 Huntsville,TX:RustyChippyVintageHippy&GardenShow•Huntsvilleantiqueshow.com20-22, 27-29Palestine,TX:Love,Sex&theIRS•historictexastheatre.wordpress.com20-22, 27-29Palestine,TX:DogwoodTrailsCelebration•texasdogwoodtrails.com21 Center,Texas,TX:ShelbyCountyGrillFest•shelbycountychamber.com21 Conroe,TX:SoundsofTexasMusicSeries•soundsoftexasmusicseries.com26-31 Beaumont,TX:YMBLSouthTexasStateFair•ymbl.org26-28 Palestine,TX:OldTimeMusic&DulcimerFestival•museumpalestine.org29 Palestine,TX:DogwoodSpecialBrunchTrain•texasstaterr.com

April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5 Tyler,TX:Azalea&SpringFlowerTrail•visittyler.com/azaleatrail3-5 Palestine,TX:DogwoodTrailsCelebration•texasdogwoodtrails.com3-10 Huntsville,TX:WalkerCountyFair&Rodeo•walkercountyfair.com10-19 Conroe,TX:58thAnnualMontgomeryCountyFair&Rodeo•mcfa.org11 Mineola,TX:Highway80ProgressiveCarCruise•Highway80carcruise.com11 Center,TX:Bloomin’ontheSquare&ButterflyRelease•shelbycountychamber.com18 Orange,TX:Eco-Fest•shangrilagardens.org18 MountVernon,TX:TourdeCypressRideandRun•tourdecypress.com18 Gladewater,TX:EastTexasGusherDays•gusher-days.com23-26 Avinger,HughesSprings&Linden,TX:WildflowerTrailsofTexasFestival24-26 Conroe,TX:Concoursd’EleganceofTexas•concoursoftexas.org24-26 Nacogdoches,TX:OTTMotorcycleRally•ottrally.com24-26 Palestine,TX:SteampunkExpress•texasstaterr.com

May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3 Huntsville,TX:GeneralSamHoustonFolkFestival•Huntsvilletexas.com2 Huntsville,TX:CincoDeMayoCelebration•Huntsvilletexas.com2 Huntsville,TX:AiringoftheQuilts•Huntsvilletexas.com7 Huntsville,TX:WineDownShopSmall•Huntsvilletexas.com9 Conroe,TX:SoundsofTexasMusicSeries•soundsoftexasmusicseries.com9 Beaumont,TX:Crawfish,Food&MusicFestival•boyshaven.com10 Palestine,TX:Mother’sDayBrunchTrain•texasstaterr.com10-31 Center,TX:TheLilyFarm•lilyfarm.com15-16 MountVernon,Texas,TX:PineyWoodsWineTrailFestival•mtvernonwine.com16 Clarksville,TX:3rdannualLangfordLakeBBQcook-off•redrivercoc.com16 Longview,TX:AlleyFest•alleyfest.org28-30 MountPleasant,TX:MountPleasantRodeo•mtpleasanttx.com

June. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-21 Center,TX:TheLilyFarm•lilyfarm.com5-6 Longview,TX:T-BoneWalkerBluesFest•tbonewalkerbluesfest.com6-7 MountPleasant,TX:DawgFest•mtpleasanttx.com6-15 Conroe,TX:SoundsofTexasMusicSeries•soundsoftexasmusicseries.com10-13 Gladewater,TX:GladewaterRoundUpRodeo•gladewaterrodeo.com13 Jacksonville,TX:TomatoFest•jacksonvilletexas.com17-21 Clarksville,TX:GatewayToTexasGet*A*WAYTour•redrivercoc.com21 Palestine,TX:Father’sDayBBQLunchTrain•texasstaterr.com

July. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-11 Center,TX:WHAT-A-MelonFestival•shelbycountychamber.com11-12 MountPleasant,TX:QuakeonTownLake•mtpleasanttx.com21-26 Longview,TX:TheGreatTexasBalloonRace•greattexasballoonrace.com23-26,30-31Palestine,TX:MaryPoppins•historictexastheatre.wordpress.com

August. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2 Palestine,TX:MaryPoppins•historictexastheatre.wordpress.com5-31 Beaumont,TX:September11,2001:ATimeline(exhibit)•firemuseumoftexas.org8 Gladewater,TX:GladewaterMainStreetArtStroll•gladewatermainstreet.com28 Palestine,TX:MoonlightDinnerTrain•texasstaterr.com

September. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-30 Beaumont,TX:September11,2001:ATimeline(exhibit)•firemuseumoftexas.org

October. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Center,TX:39thEastTexasPoultryFestival•shelbycountychamber.com3 Clarksville,TX:FallBazaar•redrivercoc.com9-10 Clarksville,TX:GatewayToTexasTandemCycleRide•redrivercoc.com

PALESTINEHistoric Texas Theatre

213 W. Crawford Street903/922-1327historictexastheatre.wordpress.com

MARCH 20-22 & 27-29Love, Sex & the IRS

JULY 23-26 & JULY 30- AUGUST 2Mary Poppins

SHELBY COUNTY - CENTERShelby County Grill FestMARCH 21, 2015

Windham Civic CenterCenter, Texas(936) 598-3682shelbycountychamber.com

Cook teams compete in Brisket, Chicken and Pork Spare Rib categories. Cash prizes for top cookers in each category. Spectator tasting, live entertainment, game contests. Sanctioned by the Lone Star Barbecue Society.

TYLERAzalea & Spring Flower TrailMARCH 20 - APRIL 5

Azalea District(903) 592-1661visittyler.com/azaleatrail

Join us for the Azalea & Spring Flower Trail featuring mile after mile of blooming azaleas, dogwoods, & spring flowers. Enjoy springtime in Tyler: stroll the beautiful gardens, attend one of the many community events, and try the local cuisine!

PALESTINEThe Annual 1836 Chuckwagon RacesMARCH 1-8, 2015

Diamond B Ranch(903) 723-30141836chuckwagonrace.com

A true Texas event! Enjoy trail rides, Dutch oven cooking classes, cowboy poetry, herd dog demonstrations, hoof care clinics, bull whip demos, wagon races, barn dances, live music, cowboy church, Texas food and much more.

77th Annual Dogwood Trails CelebrationMARCH 20-22, MARCH 27-29 & APRIL 3-5, 2015

Citywide(903) 723-3014texasdogwoodtrails.com

Enjoy the delicate beauty of the dogwood trees in Davey Dogwood Park the last two weekends in March and first weekend in April. Activities are scheduled each weekend to compliment the Celebration, including the festival the first weekend.

Moonlight Dinner TrainAUGUST 28, 2015

Texas State Railroad(877) 726-7245texasstaterr.com

Enjoy a full moon and dinner with a side order of Piney Woods scenery. A Texas treasure since 1881, The Texas State Railroad hosts year-round steam excursions, including brunch & dinner trains.

MINEOLAHighway 80 Progressive Car CruiseAPRIL 11, 2015

Downtown Mineola, Grand Saline, and Wills Point(903) 569-6983Highway80carcruise.com

Classic car cruise on historic Hwy 80. Start off with breakfast in Wills Point, have lunch in Grand Saline, and end with dessert & awards in historic downtown Mineola. Don’t forget to visit the Mineola Nature Preserve before you hit the road.

MOUNT VERNONTour de Cypress Ride and RunAPRIL 18, 2015

Downtown Square(903) 537-4241tourdecypress.com

Can you tame the most wicked, winding 100K in Texas? Or keep it low-key with a 45, 30, or a friendly 10-mile cruise. After your ride, enjoy beer, burgers, and live music on the beautiful town square.

The Piney Woods Wine Trail FestivalMAY 15-16, 2015

Downtown Square(903) 537-4070mtvernonwine.com

The Piney Woods Wine Festival is the most anticipated wine festival in east Texas. Bring your friends and enjoy upscale vendors, artisanal foods, live music....and of course, WINE!

NACOGDOCHESAzalea Trail MARCH 1-31, 2015

Azalea SeasonMARCH 1 - APRIL 13, 2015

City Wide(936) 564-7351nacogdochesazaleas.com

The Garden Capital of Texas boasts more than 20 miles of Azalea Trails and the largest Azalea Garden in the state. Find a full schedule of events online.

ORANGE Celebrate Orchids!MAR 12-14, 2015

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center(409) 670-9113shangrilagardens.org

Discover the many ways orchids have fascinated plant

lovers far & wide, and why they are known as one of the world’s most beautiful flowers. Enjoy hands-on workshops, lectures & greenhouse tours. Fun for the whole family!

Eco-FestAPRIL 18, 2015

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center(409) 670-9113shangrilagardens.org

Bring friends & family to experience a butterfly release, earth-friendly activities & live animal shows for all ages. See spring blooms throughout the Gardens & nesting birds from the heronry; then take a relaxing Outpost Tour along Adams Bayou.

MOUNT PLEASANTMount Pleasant RodeoMAY 28-30, 2015

MPRA Priefert Arena, 2800 Greenhill Road(903) 572-8567mtpleasanttx.com

Come celebrate the Mount Pleasant Rodeo with UPRA excitement each night, including a Mutton Bustin’ Competition, food, shopping and much more!! Guaranteed fun for the entire family!

Dawg FestJUNE 6-7, 2015

Mount Pleasant Civic Center(903) 572-8567mtpleasanttx.com

Rev up your motors for Dawg Fest! The event includes a motorcycle rally, car/truck/bike shows, live music and more. Ride along the beautiful Northeast Texas country side or show off your bike at one of the contests. Fun for all!

Quake on Town LakeJULY 11-12, 2015

Town Lake(903) 572-8567mtpleasanttx.com

Enjoy the “best of the best” outboard boat racing as you rest in the shade on the shores of Town Lake. Speed boat racing on a quarter mile drag strip. Fast and furious! Image by Janie Fontenot

Download our brochure and keep up-to-date with our events online.

Katie Stephens - Davy Crockett Park - Crockett, TX

TEXAS FORESTTRAIL REGION

2015 Spring & Summer Events