3rd Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Texas 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals - March 31-April 1

The 3rd Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Texas 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals Presented by TOYO TIRES returns to the Gillespie County Fairgrounds on Highway 16 South for Monster Truck Racing, Mickey Thompson Tough Trucks and hundreds of custom show trucks. Tickets are available at the gate and are $14/adults, $7/kids (age 3-12 yrs). 2-day pass is $20.

Benini ARTS Encounters -3/31-4/1

ARTS Encounters at the Beninis – a tradition of lively social & cultural lectures in a relaxed setting - will be Saturday, 03/31/2007 & Sunday, 04/01/2007, with presentations both days beginning at 1:30PM. Everyone is welcome, and all events are free of charge.

This month brings a lively, eclectic lineup that includes the following:

• From Phoenix: Pete Deise, Sculptor
• From Austin: Dr. Ann Daly. Author, Artist Coach, Personal Motivation Expert
• From Hot Springs, Arkansas: Dr. Paul Tucker, Poetry
• From Texas: Thomas Michael Riley: Musician Extraordinaire
• From Fredericksburg: James Fox: Photos and Photoshop!!

Historic Rural Schools Open House Tour and BBQ - March 31 & April 1

Sponsored by the Friends of Gillespie County Country Schools, this year’s tour offers a wealth of deep history in Gillespie county’s former country schools. Cost is by free-will donation; your donations help preserve the 12 historic former rural school buildings currently used as public community centers. The schools being featured on this year’s tour are:

• Cherry Mountain
• Pecan Creek
• Cherry Spring
• Crabapple
• Wrede

On Sunday, there is a fundraising barbecue at the American Legion Hall, 726 South Washington Street. Serving starts at 10:30AM and stops when supplies run out. Dine-in or have it to-go; plates include chicken barbecue with all the trimmings: ½ chicken, beans, potato salad, barbecue sauce, bread, onions, pickles, & dessert. $7/per plate.

Mid-Week Menu at Bonterra

Bonterra, located at 1440 N. U.S. Highway 87, is now serving a special mid-week evening menu. It is an all-inclusive menu, with a choice of a soup or salad, an entrée and a dessert all for $19.95. Bonterra is also offering the special as a “to go” for dining in the comfort of your own home. Call Sherry at (830)997-9741 in advance if you want to pick it up on the way home.

Cooking Classes at Runnymede Country Inn

On March 30, from 6:30-9 pm, Molly Fowler will present "Southwestern Celebration!" She will show prepare Mango Margaritas, Shrimp Cakes with Pineapple Salsa, Shicken Enchiladas with Two Sauces, Charro Beans, and Chocolate Bread Pudding with Kahlua Sauce.

On Saturday, March 31, from 10:30 am -1 pm, she presents "Luscious Spring Lunch." On the menu is Carrot Soup with Frenched Green Beans, Chicken Paillard on Greens with Tarragon Vinaigrette, Parkerhouse Yeast Rolls, and Simple, Elegant Chocolate Mousse.

Attendees will taste every dish and receive a recipe packet to take home, as well as lots of ideas for entertaining. Classes are $35 per person, and advance registration is required. Call Runnymede Country Inn at 830-990-2449 for more information.

New Handicap Accessible Trail to be Built at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park

The Friends of the Fredericksburg Nature Center are working with the City of Fredericksburg’s Parks and Recreation Director to construct a handicap accessibility trail in Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park as a part of the Live Oak Wilderness Trail. The new trail section will be about 500 feet in length and will connect the bird feeding area and the butterfly habitat and then continue along the Vista Loop Trail. The City is supplying materials and equipment. The Friends are coordinating the labor.

Peach Blossom Trail

Gillespie County is the largest peach-producing county in Texas, with over 1,400 acres of peaches in commercial production, accounting for 40% of Texas’ peach crop. Most of the orchards are in the sandy soil near Stonewall, home to the Peach Jamboree held the third weekend in June. Peach trees begin blooming in March, signaling the arrival of Spring.

Suggested driving route to see peach blossoms between Fredericksburg and Stonewall in Gillespie County:

From Fredericksburg, drive east on Hwy. 290 13 miles to Gellerman Lane. Turn left on Gellerman Lane - Vogel’s Peach stand is on the corner. Along Hwy 290 you will see numerous peach stands and several orchards are visible from the highway.

Gellerman Lane is home to one of the largest concentrations of peach trees in Texas. Several families have their orchards in this sandy-soil area and there are about 300 acres of peach trees. Three to four miles north of Hwy. 290, orchards are visible for more than a mile. Continue on Gellerman Lane to the intersection of FM 2721. Turn left (west) on FM 2721 toward Fredericksburg.

At the intersection of FM 2721 and FM 1631, go straight on FM 1631. There is another large orchard on the left a few miles past the intersection. Seven miles from the intersection, FM 1631 intersects Main Street. This route is about 35 miles in length and should take 45-50 minutes to drive.

The Peddler Show - 3/23-25

The Peddler Show returns to Fredericksburg's Gillespie County Fair Grounds, where you will discover an exciting array of hot fashions, trendy jewelry, stylish home furnishings, unique gift items, gourmet foods, and much more.

Admission is $5/adults, $3/seniors 65+, free/kids 12 & under.

Times of the event are: Friday 1PM - 9PM, Saturday 9AM - 6PM, Sunday 11AM - 4PM.

LLL Farms' Lavender Shop

LLL Farms has a new main location at 3245 Highway 290 East, about three miles east of downtown. The new retail location has everything lavender --- buds and sachets, home and bath products, and many varieties of lavender plants. In addition, they have antiques, used and rare books and local art. They are open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Summer Musical Announced by Fredericksburg Theater Company

The Fredericksburg Theater Company has announced that “"The Wizard of Oz”" will be their summer musical running June 29 through July 1 and July 6-8. The production will be performed at the Fredericksburg High School Auditorium. For more information, call (830)997-3588.

Admission Rises at National Museum of the Pacific War

The National Museum of the Pacific War increased its admission rates in some categories effective March 1st. The new rates are as follows:

Adult $7.00

Senior citizen (65 or over) and retired military (with ID) $6.00

Military (current active duty, reserve, National Guard) $6.00

WWII veteran (except in group tours) $5.00

For more information, call the museum at (830)997-4379.

Becker Vineyards Expanding Tasting Room

Becker Vineyards will begin expanding their facility later this month. The winery'’s veranda will be converted into a new, larger tasting room to better accommodate growing numbers of wine enthusiasts. The current tasting room will continue as a tasting room for small private groups and for lighter traffic days. Call (830)644- 2681 for details

Luckenbach Mud Dauber Festival - March 17

It's time for Luckenbach's Annual Mud Dauber Festival, this year featuring The Doug Moreland Show!
Afternoon entertainment will be by the Kevin Deal Band, starting around 2pm. Cowboy Doug Davis and the Note Ropers will open for Doug Moreland around 8pm. The Doug Moreland show will follow, ending around midnight! Advance tickets are $12 and will be on sale soon. Day of show ticket prices are $15 all day, $6 day only and $10 dance only. Call (830) 997-3224 for more information.

65th Semi-Annual Hill Country Collector Car Auction & Show

Sponsored by Classic Automobile Auctions of America, LP, The Hill Country Collector car and Auction includes classic, antique, collectible, and custom vehicles. Swap meet, consignments, live music and food. $10/adults and $5/kids (kids under 5 no admission). This year, the event will be held the new Fredericksburg Event Center, 224 Tivydale Road, March 16-17. Call (866) 495-8111 for more information.

Images of Big Bend photo exhibit

The "Images of Big Bend" show at Photography 414, 414 East Main Street, features artist James Evans and his stunning photography of the Big Bend, and runs until March 31. Photography 414's gallery hours are 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays and by appointment.

Scrapbook Retreat - March 16-18

Fifty-four hours of scrapbook heaven await those who participate in this weekend retreat that includes food, fun, demonstrations and prizes. This is a limited seating event for 20 people only. Entry fee is $75 and includes meals. Hours are 6 p.m. Friday through 4 p.m. Sunday. Journey Lane Scrapbook Store is located at 147 East Main Street. www.journeylane.com

"Brew Ha Ha" Comes to Main Street This Weekend

The Fredericksburg Brewing Company (The Biergarten) will be the site for a new comedy club with first performances this weekend on Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. Robert Hawkins, who has performed twice at the Montreal Comedy Festival and appeared on Comedy Central, Premium Blend and The Late Show, will be the first featured act at Brew Ha Ha. Admission is $20. For more information, call (830)997-1646.

Youth Art Walk at Benini Sculpture Ranch

Sherryl Brown Fine Art will offer an art walk for youth from 12 to 18 years of age on Friday, March 16, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Benini Sculpture Ranch, near Johnson City. The distance is 1.5 miles. The learning activity is free of charge, but you must pre-register by calling Sherryl Brown at (830)990-9305. Parents and grandparents are welcome as well. 377 Shiloh Road, near Johnson City

Spring Break Living History Week at the Pioneer Museum -3/10-17

Make this year's break both educational and fun for the entire family with three acres of interactive living history demonstrations at the Pioneer Museum. Learn how early German settlers sheared sheep, spun wool quilted, worked with metal and wood, made soap, rope and much more. Also enjoy pony rides and a frontier chuckwagon. Activities vary daily. Admission is $4; children under 12 are free. Hours of the event are: Sunday, March 11th 1PM-4PM; Monday, March 12th - Saturday, March 17th 10AM-4PM.

Bike Tour of LBJ Ranch Lead by Luci Johnson March 10

Bicycle tours of the LBJ Ranch have been offered previously, but on Saturday, March 10, for the first time, Luci Baines Johnson, younger daughter of President and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, will lead a nine-mile loop bicycle tour through the LBJ Ranch. This is a rare opportunity to learn more about the ranch, still maintained as working registered Hereford operation, from someone who remembers it from childhood. Reservations and prepayment by credit card are required. Tours are at 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. For more information, call (830)868-7128, ext. 231 Monday through Friday. The LBJ Ranch is on Highway 290, one mile east of Stonewall

Texas Hell Week - March 10-17

Texas Hell Week is eight days of cycling in the beautiful Texas Hill Country with various daily distances ranging from 40 to 105 miles.

Ausländer's Spring Music Festival - March 8-17

Known for its large selection of beers, delicious German food, & live music, the Ausländer Biergarten and Restaurant brings you 10 consecutive nights of hot live music provided by talented Texas musicians - you won't want to miss this!

The lineup includes Bob Schneider, Ruthie Foster, Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros, Cory Morrow, Two Tons of Steel, Monte Montgomery, Bruce Robison, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Seth James, and Fastball.

Hill Country Wedding Expo - March 4, 10am - 3 pm

If you're getting married anytime soon, you need to visit the Hill Country Wedding Expo at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds on highway 16 South in Fredericksburg. It's one-stop shopping for the bride-to-be! Booths, style shows, door prizes, and a grand prize. No admission. Call (830) 997-2197 for details.

Turner Club Pork BBQ - March 4

The annual Turn Verein fundraiser, the Turner Club Pork BBQ is served at 103 West Travis Street Starting at 11 am. Drive-thru only @ $7/plate.