Ambleside School Shakespeare Festival - 5/29

This festive atmosphere at Ambleside School, 106 S. Edison Street, welcomes Queen Elizabeth, sword fights, maypole dancers, sonnet makers and two Shakespeare plays on Friday May 29. This festival is free and the public is welcome. Please call 830/990-9059 for more information

Grand Re-Opening for Fredericksburg Marketplace - 5/28

Fredericksburg Marketplace, 142 E. Main Street, will be celebrating their official Chamber of Commerce Grand Re - Opening Ribbon Cutting Thursday at 4 pm. Please call 830/997-6707 for more information.

Hill Country S.P.C.A. Dog Trot - 5/23

Family Fun Hill Country SPCA Dog Trot. We will have fun booths, pet portraits, snack bar, and other fun information. All proceeds benefit the dogs and cats of the Hill Country SPCA, located at 2981 South Hwy 16. Come Join The Fun In The Texas Hill Country. Call (830) 990-9085 for details.

Luckenbach's 160th Anniversary - 5/23

Celebrate Luckenbach's 160th birthday Please call 888/311-8990 or 830/997-3224 for more information

Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival - 5/22-24

Nothing says "German community" quite like the annual Crawfish Festival! They'll be serving up red beans and rice, boudin, and gumbo… Other Cajun delicacies are also available for everyone to enjoy. And for those who don't like crawfish, the festival will offer hamburgers, corndogs, German Tacos and plenty of German sausage - what Fredericksburg is known for.

Food and fun for all ages are available. The festival will offer a children's area for kids of all ages and arts and crafts of all kinds will be there for your shopping pleasure. Plus a rock-climbing wall to challenge the young and the old.

Hours are Friday 6:00pm - midnight and Saturday 11:00am - midnight. Cost is $6 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under. Please call 830/997-8515 for more information.

Laissez les bon temps roulet!

Hill Country Quilt Guild Show - 5/22-24

"Pigment of My Imagination", the Hill Country Quilt Guild's 10th Biennial Quilt Show at Schreiner University's Edington Gym in Kerrville. Hours are Friday and Saturday 10:00am - 6:00pm and Sunday noon - 4:00pm. Please call 830/257-2752, 830/896-6522 for more information.

Blacksmithing Day at Sauer Beckmann Farm - 5/23

Come join us at Sauer Beckmann Living History Farm to learn about the lost art of blacksmithing at LBJ State Park & Historic Site, Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. Watch as blacksmiths heat cold iron in a forge to a red-hot glow. Listen to the anvils as the iron is shaped into many usefuls objects and tools of the times. Don't miss this opportunity to experience this unique day. This event is free, with donations accepted. Please call 830/644-2252 for more information.

Cantina Concert Series - 5/24

Cantina Concert Series with Michael Thomas Riley. Music under the stars at an ampitheatre LLL Farms, 10 miles south of Fredericksburg, at 9229 Old San Antonio Road, Sunday at 7:30 pm. Bring an appetizer to share, a lawn chair and your favorite adult beverage. Cost is $25 per person at the gate. Reservations are not required.

Grand Opening for My Own Chef - 5/18

My Own Chef is unveiling their new location and state-of-the-art kitchen at 721 Brehmer Lane, with their official Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting. Please call 830/997-5458 for more information.

Military Blood Drive 5/21-23

Give the gift of life! On Wednesday and Thursday, a blood drive will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the National Guard Amory, located at 598 Armory Rd. in Fredericksburg. Blood donations will go in support of our military troops. Walk-ins are welcome, but to reserve a specific time, log on to www.militarylifeforce.com and type in this blood drive location’s 78624 zip code or its May 21 or May 22 date. One donation can help up to three lives, so consider donating your blood. For more information, contact Bobby Sagebiel at 830-990- 6986.

Tennis Association "Burger Bash" Social - 6/21

The Fredericksburg Tennis Association (FTA) is hosting their monthly tennis social. The event is free to members, with guests playing and eating for $5. Memberships to the FTA are available. Please call 830/990-7503 or email whill3@austin.rr.com for more information.

Lavendar Festival at Becker Vineyards - 5/16-17

The lavender fields around Becker Vineyards off Hwy 290 E. are lovely--just in time for the 11th Annual Lavender Festival featuring all things lavender, this Saturday, May 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, May 17 from noon until 6:00 p.m. This year's event also includes optional luncheons and dinner, so call 830-644-2681 for details.

Grand Opening of the InSight Gallery - 5/16

Welcome the newest art gallery in town as they open their doors for their Grand Opening on Saturday. InSight Gallery is at 244 W. Main Street. The evening will feature new works by an outstanding group of nationally renowned artists. Doors will open at 10:00am with festivities beginning at 5:00pm, with the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce official Ribbon Cutting. Enjoy a great evening of live music, an incredible array of hors d hourves and a lovely selection of Becker Vineyards wine. The artists will be in the gallery all day to meet and greet visitors. Be a part of the inspiration that is InSight Gallery. Please call 830/997-9920 for more information

The Fredericksburg Chorale will perform its Spring Concert this Thursday, May 14 and Friday, May 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 426 W. Main St. in Fredericksburg. There's no cost to attend but donations are appreciated. For information, call 830-997-6869

Audience Needed at The Auslander on Thursday Night for TV Taping

A video crew is in town this week taping various attractions around Fredericksburg and Gillespie County for TravelScope, a television show that will air in 2010 on PBS stations around the United States. They will be taping at The Auslander, 323 E. Main St., on this Thursday evening. Come out at 8:00 p.m., enjoy the music of Emory Quinn and help provide a full audience for the show.

Vintner Dinner at Cabernet Grill - 5/13

Make reservations for the upcoming Texas Winemaker – Vintner Dinner on Wednesday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Cabernet Grill Texas Wine Country Restaurant on Hwy 16 S., in Fredericksburg. Enjoy unique hill country cuisine paired with wines from Grape Creek Vineyards. Cost is $59.95 plus tax per person. For information, call 830-990-5734.

Bluegrass, Newgrass, and Beergrass on music menu at Roots concert in Fredericksburg - 5/16

The sounds of bluegrass, newgrass, and beergrass will roll across the grounds of the Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg as the first Roots Music concert kicks off the 2009 series on Saturday, May 16.

Lost Pines plays traditional bluegrass, doing it so well as to be the number two bluegrass band in Austin. Their old-time sound blends three-part harmony and tight instrumentals to pick out bluegrass, folk, country, and originals.

The Waybacks kicks a step beyond bluegrass to newgrass. While emulating the tradtional style of playing, this group has earned a national reputation for taking on tunes by classic rockers, early rockabilly, even jazz, classical, and swing.

The Onion Creek Crawdaddies have crawled into the public's ear with their beergrass sound, so named for its originality and energy. They debuted at the 2003 Roots Music series, and return with inspired banjo, guitar, washboard, bass, fiddle, harmonicas, and vocals.

Guests will enjoy a catered meal of ribeye, pork chop, or stuffed chicken breast served with all the sides, for $8.50. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water will also be offered for sale.

Gates open at 5 p.m., with the concerts running from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Admission is $12, with tickets sold at the gate. Visitors can receive a $2 discount by printing out the web page at www.pioneermuseum.com. Students high school age and younger are free. Parking is free.

The Pioneer Museum is located at 325 West Main Street in Fredericksburg, with concert entrance on Milam Street.

Roots Music is a series of live, open-air eclectic concerts on the grounds of the Pioneer Museum on Main Street in Fredericksburg, Texas. Concerts feature both emerging and established artists in an informal, family setting. The 2009 series continues on June 27 - Rock 'n Roll; July 25 - Blues/R&B; August 29 - Western Swing; and September 26 -Cajun/Zydeco.

Net proceeds support the mission of the Gillespie County Historical Society. For information call 830-997-2835.

Fredericksburg Music Club Presents Trio Contraste - 5/17

The Fredericksburg Music Club presents Trio Contraste--a concert of piano, clarinet and violin at the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, 1800 N. Llano Highway, Sunday at 3 pm. Please call 830/997-7679 for more information.

Grand Opening for Becker Vineyards Tasting Room - 5/9

Join Becker Vineyards at 11 am on Saturday May 9, as they unveil their new tasting room during their official Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting. Please call 830/644-2681 for more information.

River Road Run - 5/9

This 5K run/walk benefits the Ambleside School Scholarship Fund. Join us for family fun along the Pedernales on River Road off of Highway 87. There will be a family/friends relay and a kids 100 yard dash. Prizes for age group winners, stroller runner winner and more. Everyone is welcome! Entry fee is $20 before April 30, $25 after April 30. If you would like to pre-register visit active.com or stop by Get Fit Tri Sports, 251 W. Main Street.

Mom-Daughter Tea Party with Fredericksburg Culinary Arts - 5/9

Learn to prepare finger sandwiches, scones and hot teas during the
> “Mother-Daughter Tea” cooking class at the Fredericksburg Culinary Arts at Fischer & Wieser das Peach Haus, 1406 Highway 87 South. Cost is $49 per person. Please call 830/997-8396 for reservations.

Local Elections - 5/9

Early voting for Fredericksburg ISD School Board elections is being held through Tuesday, May 5 at the FISD Central Office, 234 Friendship Lane from 8:00am - 4:00pm. For City of Fredericksburg residents, voting for City Council, early voting runs through Tuesday, May 5 at City Hall during business hours from 8:30am - 4:30pm (April 27- May 1), and extended hours the final two days from 7:00am - 7:00pm on May 4 and May 5. Election Day is Saturday, May 9 at the Middle School and the polls will be open from 7:00am - 7:00pm.

Fredericksburg to New Braunfels Trail Ride - 5/2-6

This wagon train trail ride last for five days and goes from Fredericksburg to New Braunfels. Gather at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds on May 1 at 5:00pm for registration. Cost is $70 per person. Please call 830/629-1925 or 830/620-8372 for more information

2009 Peach Crop 90% Loss

According to a Fredericksburg Standard online story, Jim Kamas, a fruit specialist with the Gillespie County Extension Office, estimates 90 percent of this year’s peach crop has been lost due to a hard freeze on April 7. He also added that the local grape harvest was also affected, and local wineries are hoping for secondary buds to salvage their harvest.

First Annual Fredericksburg Golf Tournament Announced

The Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce has announced that Boot Ranch will host the first annual Chamber-sponsored golf tournament on Tuesday, October 13. This tourney will be open to both Chamber members and non-members alike. If you would like to be a sponsor for the tournament, please contact Frances or Peggy at the Chamber offices at 997-6523for more information.

Pioneer Museum to hold Family Fun - 5/2

The Gillespie County Historical Society will host a family fun presentation entitled Children's Games and Toys this Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Pioneer Museum at 325 W. Main St. in Fredericksburg. The event is free with regular museum admission of $5 for adults, $3 for kids age 6 to 17, and free for children age 5 and younger. For information, call 830-990-8441.