Fall brings with it cooler temperatures and lots of area festivals; some are free, others are ticketed events. Be sure to check out all the details beforehand. Here are a few you might enjoy:
Dripping with Taste Wine & Food Festival
Sept. 8
Texas Hill Country Olive Company Tasting Room and Orchard
www.drippingwithtaste.org
Ticketed event
At this fifth annual event, the best of Dripping Springs wine, food, art and music are celebrated. For the first time, the festival will be held on the grounds of the Texas Hill Country Olive Company Tasting Room and Orchard. General admission tickets include six food and wine-tasting tickets. Proceeds will directly benefit the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce and the new visitors bureau.
St Anthony Marie de Claret Annual Fiesta
Sept 21-22
801 N. Burleson, Kyle
www.facebook.com/pages/St-Anthonys-Fiesta
Free
St. Anthony Marie de Claret Parish in Kyle will host its 103rd annual Fiesta on the parish grounds. Festivities begin Friday at 6 p.m. and continue on Saturday from noon to midnight. There will be food, games for all ages, a washer tournament and live music.
Taste of Hays County
Sept. 23
Redbird Skyport, San Marcos
unitedwayhaysco.org
Ticketed event
OK, you caught us; this isn’t exactly a fall festival. But it is in the fall and it will be festive. The United Way of Hays County presents the third annual Taste of Hays County. The event will showcase all of the great flavors in Hays County…the great people, the great non-profits, the great entertainment, and of course, the great food and drinks. Fest-goers will enjoy savory dishes from restaurants across Hays County, a silent auction with unique items, and live music from The Georges, described as high-energy rockabily group with a retro vibe.
Gruene Music & Wine Festival
Oct. 4-7
Gruene Historic District, on the Gruene Hall grounds
www.gruenemusicandwinefest.org
Ticketed event
This event started as a one-day deal in 1987, and just like those mullets of the day, it grew. Over the years, it has evolved into a celebration of not only Texas and Americana music, but also a celebration of Texas, German and New World wines, specialty beer and handcrafted items. The charity benefitting from the profits is the United Way of Comal County. The event typically raises about $100,000 for the organization - a far cry from the $450 raised in 1987. Enjoy “Texas Tastings & Tunes,” two music stages, specialty beer tasting and a Cowboy Lounge two large-screen TVs. Saturday and Sunday also include a craft market.
Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg
Oct. 5-7
Main Street, Fredericksburg
www.oktoberfestinfbg.com
Ticketed event
If you are looking for a way to celebrate Gemütlichkeit, as so many of us are, then plan to head out to Fredericksburg Oct. 5-7 for Oktoberfest. During this weekend shindig, the folks in Fredericksburg celebrate the town’s German heritage, calling it Oompah at its best. You are invited to sing, toast and dance. The event features three music stages, playing ... you guessed it, mostly German and polka music. Oktoberfest also includes art and crafts, a children’s fun area, a German Bier Tent, an Oktoberfest Vineyard area, OkTUBAfest, Chicken Dance Around the Square and a domino tournament, as well as food and cold drinks, such as the one Germans are famous for: beer. Oh, by the way, Gemütlichkeit is German for coziness.
Kyle Music Festival
Oct. 18-21
Thunderhill Raceway, Kyle
www.kylefair.com
Free, parking $3
Celebrate the local area with the annual Kyle Music Festival. The event kicks off with a carnival Thursday evening. Live music begins at 6 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, see the annual parade, followed by the Battle of the Marching Bands between Lehman High and Hays High. Live music begins again at noon, followed by the BBQ cook-off. The featured music on Saturday evening is singer John Slaughter. On Sunday morning, runners (and walkers) can participate in the 5K Kyle-O-Meter run. The festival also includes arts and crafts, along with food vendors.
Wurstfest
Nov. 2-11Wurstfest Grounds in Landa Park, New Braunfels
www.wurstfest.com
Ticketed event; children 12 and under free
One of the oldest annual festivals in the region, Wurstfest is a 10-day music fest with food (meat on a stick, anyone?), beer, polka and other music, art and a kids’ carnival. This year marks the 52nd anniversary of an event that began as a one-day celebration of sausage. In fact, the first year it was called Sausage Festival; how’s that for original? As the event grew, organizers dubbed it Wurst Week. It evolved into the 10-day salute to sausage we know now as Wurstfest, celebrating the German heritage of the New Braunfels area.
