Prickly pear, Big Bend Region. Photo by Richard Reynolds
2007–2008 Events
Return to top of pageSeptember
Marfa
Aug. 31–Sept. 2, 2007
Who knows why those mysterious desert lights shine? Shoot the breeze and get the lowdown with these friendly folks while enjoying local West Texas cuisine. Stick around and dance the night away on the lawn of one of the most magnificent courthouses in Texas for free. Don’t worry, they’ll leave the lights on for you.
Alpine
Aug. 31–Sept. 3, 2007
Open skies are abundant in West Texas, and on this weekend they’ll be filled with the magnificent sight of hot-air balloons. This event, sponsored by the Big Ben Hot Air Balloon Association, is a treat for all ages.
Midland
Sept. 7–9, 2007
This fundraiser for the Museum of the Southwest celebrates its 38th year. Juried artists and crafts-people from all over the nation journey to participate in the festivities, featuring more than 80 artists and a variety of local entertainers. The ethnic music–polka, mariachi, country-western, bluegrass, and jazz–sets everyone’s toes a-tapping. Plenty of food booths and a special children’s area, Kinderfest, with pony rides and a petting zoo, are added attractions.
Odessa
Sept. 7–15, 2007
Everyone will have a great time at the 32nd fair and exposition, which offers traditional exhibits, livestock and horse shows, creative arts, musical performances, an antique car show, an antique tractor pull, and more.
Del Rio
Sept. 14–16, 2007
Del Rio joins its sister city, Ciudad Acuña, in a fiesta commemorating Mexico’s independence from Spain on September 16 (Diez y Seis), 1810. Food, games, music, and dancing are enjoyed on both sides of the border.
El Paso
Sept. 18–23, 2007
A favorite in the area since 1931, this event includes a livestock show and rodeo, horse shows, a cattle drive, and a Western gala.
El Paso
Sept. 22–23, 2007
This “Circus in the Sky” at Biggs Army Airfield features professional and military flying teams, acrobatic acts, parachute jumping, static aircraft displays, and other ground activities. This year’s highlights include the USAF Thunderbirds, US Army Golden Knight, US Navy F/AL-18 Hornet, and Silent Wing Airshows.
El Paso
Sept. 22–Nov. 4, 2007
For 14 years, the UTEP Department of Geological Sciences and several local sponsors have funded this month-long festival to celebrate the environment of the El Paso region. Beginning in September, participants can engage in dozens of activities, including hikes, field trips, driving tours, nature walks, and bicycle rides, to name just a few.
Midland
Sept. 29–30, 2007
This annual airshow presents reenactments of some of World War II’s most famous aerial battles, including the world-famous Tora! Tora! Tora!, as well as 100 warbirds. Also included this year will be the Trojan Horseman Aerobatic Team, Jan Collmer, and a special flying event on Saturday night.
October
Celebration of Our Mountains
Fort Stockton
Oct. 3–6, 2007
Race down Texas Highway 385 from Fort Stockton to Marathon and back again in this 80-mile race through the desert.
Sanderson
Oct. 6, 2007
This annual festival, or “big party,” as the Spanish word translates, is a local celebration of fall, the beginning of hunting season, and the area’s most bountiful asset–the prickly pear cactus. Check out the cactus cookoff, a dance, an amateur photo contest, and rock and poster painting.
Marfa
Oct. 6–7, 2007
During this annual festival Chinati opens its collections to the public, features concerts, and sponsors talks. This year’s event will feature the special exhibitions of David Rabinowitch. Work by a resident artist at Chinati will also be displayed. Don’t miss the Saturday downtown dinner and the Sunday-morning breakfast.
Del Rio
Oct. 19–21, 2007
A bicultural event staged on both sides of the border, this fiesta commemorates the visit of Presidents Eisenhower and López Mateos to Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña in 1960. The International Parade from Acuña to Del Rio is reportedly the only parade in the world that starts in one country and ends in another. Other activities include the Abrazo Celebration, the Miss Del Rio Pageant, and an arts and crafts show.
November
Celebration of Our Mountains
Terlingua
Nov. 2–4, 2007
What started in 1967 as a contest between Wick Fowler, then the dean of Texas chili cooks, and Dave Chasen, a California restaurateur who insisted West Coast chili was better, has become a world-renowned cookoff. Four decades later, the party is still a hot ticket. Bands play Thursday through Saturday and on Friday the public has a chance to compete in salsa, bean, and hot-wing contests (proceeds benefit the National Scholarship Fund). Saturday is hats off to the chili cooks, and there’s also ample opportunity to sign up as a judge through the Web site.
Alpine
Nov. 16–17, 2007
Bringing together artists from across the Southwest, this event celebrates the arts, with the cooperation of Alpine’s galleries, private studios, and art-related shops. The goal is to enrich and educate the audience through personal interaction with artists, and it’s all for free. Collage, ceramics, fiber arts, jewelry, metalwork, and handmade books are among the art forms represented. Live music, arts and crafts, and food booths add to the fun.
Odessa
Nov. 18, 2007
This unique car show attracts world low-rider champions and awards more than 200 trophies in categories ranging from Best Truck to Best Bicycle. Add hydraulic car-hopping, model car contests, live Tejano, rhythm and blues, and rap music, and an art contest that awards a scholarship, and you’ve got a real party. Also includes a hip-hop fanfare for independent labels and artists, a sanctioned sound-off competition, and a washer-pitching contest.
Fort Davis
Nov. 31–Dec. 1, 2007
Come and enjoy the lighting-of-the-square ceremony, as well as the lighted home tour with caroling and refreshments. A parade, a scavenger hunt, and a chamber music program add to the fun.
December
Frontier Christmas
El Paso
Dec. 31, 2007
The Firstlight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl parade kicks off the weeklong festivities surrounding the football game. Sports fans will also enjoy the Western Refining College All-American Golf Classic, the StateFarm Sun Bowl Basketball Tournament, the Leo Cancellare swim meet, and a Sports World 5K run.
January
Odessa
Jan. 3–12, 2008
Action-packed PRCA rodeo perfor- mances, the only purebred Herefords in Texas, and the finest quarter horses around have brought fans out to this rodeo for more than 70 years.
February
Alpine
Feb. 29–Mar. 2, 2008
Poetry on the range? Why not? The Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering ropes ’em in at Sul Ross State University to celebrate its 21st anniversary. Cowboys and cowgirls recite their poetry in the land that inspired it. The festivities include music storytelling, Western culture, and a cowboy church service.
March
Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering
El Paso
Mar. 5–8, 2008 (tentative)
Revisit a time long past as theater companies from Spanish speaking countries perform plays from 16th- and 17th-century Spanish theater. The festival captivates audiences with nightly perfomances from the “Golden Age of Spain.”
April
Fort Stockton to Sanderson
Apr. 23–26, 2008
This annual race takes place on U.S. Hwy. 285 South from Fort Stockton to Sanderson and back (a 118-mile round-trip) and is known as “the most challenging open road race in the world.”
May
Cinco de Mayo
111-111-1111
Del Rio
May 2–4, 2008 (tentative)
Celebrate Mexico’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla. Attractions include cultural music and folklorico dancing, food, games, and more than 50
Odessa
Nov. 18, 2007
This unique car show attracts world lowrider champions and awards more than 200 trophies in categories ranging from Best Truck to Best Bicycle. Add hydraulic car-hopping, model car contests, live Tejano, rhythm and blues, and rap music, and an art contest that awards a scholarship, and you’ve got a real party. Also includes a hip-hop fanfare for independent labels and artists, a sanctioned sound-off competition, and a washer-pitching contest.
Fort Davis
Nov. 31–Dec. 1, 2007
Come and celebrate the lighting-of-the-square ceremony, as well as the lighted home tour with caroling and refreshments. A parade, a scavenger hunt, and a chamber music program add to the fun.
December
Frontier Christmas
El Paso
Dec. 31, 2007
The Firstlight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl parade kicks off the weeklong festivities surrounding the football game. Sports fans will also enjoy the Western Refining College All-American Golf Classic, the State Farm Sun Bowl Basketball Tournament, the Leo Cancellare swim meet, and a Sports World 5K run.
January
Odessa
Jan. 3–12, 2008
Action-packed PRCA rodeo perfor- mances, the only purebred Herefords in Texas, and the finest quarter horses around have brought fans out to this rodeo for more than 70 years.
February
Alpine
Feb. 29–Mar. 2, 2008
Poetry on the range? Why not? The Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering ropes ’em in at Sul Ross State University to celebrate its 21st anniversary. Cowboys and cowgirls recite their poetry in the land that inspired it. The festivities include music storytelling, Western culture, and a cowboy church service.
March
Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering
El Paso
Mar. 5–8, 2008 (tentative)
Revisit a time long past as theater companies from Spanish-speaking countries perform plays from 16th- and 17th-century Spanish theater. The festival captivates audiences with nightly performances from the “Golden Age of Spain.”
April
Fort Stockton to Sanderson
Apr. 23–26, 2008
This annual race takes place on U.S. Hwy. 285 South from Fort Stockton to Sanderson and back (a 118-mile round-trip) and is known as “the most challenging open road race in the world.”
May
Del Rio
May 2–4, 2008 (tentative)
Celebrate Mexico’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla. Attractions include cultural music and folklorico dancing, food, games, and more than 50 arts and crafts booths. The festivities get under way with an opening ceremony at historic Brown Plaza.
Del Rio
May 2–4, 2008
Prepare to be rocked by two tons of bull at the granddaddy of them all. Sponsored by the Pro Bull Riders association (PBR), this oldest continuous stand-alone event (bull riding only) celebrates the life of George Paul, a native who brought home the world championship in bull riding from the National Rodeo Finals in 1968.
Midland
May 16–18, 2008
Held in downtown Midland, this festival brings together creative works from artists around the country. Entertainment on three stages, a children’s activity tent, an art and theater experience center, food booths, and various demonstrations and activities make for a fun weekend.
June
Midland
June 6–7, 2008
Bring your appetite and come ready for fun at this celebration of Hispanic culture. Old and new recipes are sampled and tested. Enjoy live music, dancing, games, carnival rides, boxing, a talent contest, children’s activities, tournaments, mariachis, and Tejano night.
Alpine
June 22–Aug. 5, 2008
This theater company brings college and community together in the tranquility of the Big Bend. Founded by the Sul Ross State University Department of Fine Arts and Communication, the company was formed in 1965 and has presented more than 150 plays in 39 seasons. This summer, shows include Greater Tuna, Always Patsy Cline, and Petra’s Pecado.
Pecos
June 27–30, 2008 (tentative)
The country’s first rodeo, held in Pecos on July 4, 1883, is still going strong more than 120 years later. Follow the rodeo parade to Buck Jackson Rodeo Arena and enjoy the Sheriff’s Posse Barbecue and dances.
July
Theatre of the Big Bend
Fort Davis
July 4–6, 2008
This Independence Day celebration includes all sorts of family fun. Visitors can enjoy a classic Fourth of July parade, a bank robbery reenactment, living-history activities, a pet contest, a fireworks display, shopping on the town square, arts and crafts, and a dance at sundown.