Yard and bake sale to benefit PALS
Prevent a Litter of Central Texas (PALS) will hold a garage sale and bake sale to raise funds for the animals. A variety of household items and other treasures will be on sale at great bargains. There will also be baked goods including pies, cakes, cookies, or candy. The sale, which is part of a larger neighborhood-wide garage sale, will take place beginning at 7 a.m. April 6 at 505 Alabama Street, San Marcos.
Southpark After Dark
This free spring concert series begins April 5. Concerts take place every Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Grove amphitheater at Southpark Meadows.
Louisiana Swamp Thing & Crawfish Festival
This Louisiana themed event features the best in Louisiana cuisine. Enjoy an extensive menu of Cajun seafood, etouffee, jambalaya, red beans and rice, boudain, and gumbo. Fest goers can also enjoy live music and shop a wide variety of arts, crafts, jewelry, clothing, candles, sunglasses and more. For the kids, there will be inflatable fun. Adults can test their skills in the crawfish peel-and-eat competition. Gates open at 11 a.m. April 6 at Buda City Park. Free parking in the lot next to the park. Tickets $20; children eight and under are free with an adult.
Hays County Sheriff’s Office to hold blood drive
The Hays County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Division will host its second community blood drive of the year in coordination with The Blood Center of Central Texas. Donors can choose one of two locations: on April 5 at the Law Enforcement Center in San Marcos and on April 6 at Cabela’s in Buda. Both blood drives will be from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and are open to the public. Basic requirements to donate blood include being at least 17 years old, weighing at least 115 lbs. for whole blood donation and being in generally good health. Donors need to bring a photo ID.
Youthfest & Day of the Young Child
Come out to celebrate the 12th Annual Youthfest & Day of the Young Child. Enjoy food, fun, live music, art activities and a petting zoo. Celebration runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 6 at San Marcos Plaza Park.
Fancy Feathers Annual Open Chicken Show
The Fancy Feathers chicken show is a professionally judged poultry show set up and run by Fancy Feathers 4-H members. There will be adult and youth classes. Attendees will be able to see over 40 varieties of chickens originating from all parts of the world, including the classics, such as Rhode Island Reds to the more exotic Seramas. Everyone can also participate in a “cluck-off,” where contestants perform their best imitation of a chicken. There will also be a raffle/silent auction, an egg show, and the Home Depot Kid’s Corner. Event takes place from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. April 13 at Hays County Civic Center in San Marcos. Information and entry forms are available at www.fancyfeatherstx.org. The event is free and open to the public.
Stagecoach Park to be site of 5K
An upcoming fundraising effort for the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas will raise money to provide programs and services for individuals with Down syndrome. The 5K run will be a measured distance of 3.21 miles in order to represent the third copy of the 21st chromosome present in those affected by Down syndrome. Organizers are looking for 300 people to participate. The run will take place at 9 a.m. April 14 at the Historic Stagecoach Park in Buda. Register online at http://dsact.com/321funrun.
Border writers to speak at Texas State University symposium
Texas State University will host “Border Writers / Escritores de le Frontera: A Literary Symposium” from 3:30-10 p.m. April 11 in the Wittliff Collections on the seventh floor of the Alkek Library. The symposium will feature a panel discussion and Q&A on border life and writing, readings from seven authors, book signings and a reception. The seven speakers scheduled to appear are Norma Cantú, Christine Granados, Reyna Grande, Domingo Martinez, Chuy Ramirez, Alberto Ramon and Sergio Troncoso. Expected topics range from immigration to religion to economic realities. The event is free and open to the public, with books available for purchase.
