State Fair of Texas. October Festivals. Palo Alto. Rancho de las Cabras. U.S. Road Race.

For “Travel Tuesday”, Some October events in TX:

State Fair of Texas

“One of Texas’ most popular annual events, the State Fair of Texas is underway starting September 28, 2012, for 24 days, until Oct 21st.  Held yearly at Dallas’ Fair Park since 1886, the State Fair has been the site for many historical and memorable moments – as well as lots of fun!

Corny Dogs were invented at the 1942 State Fair of Texas. In 1952, the Fair’s mascot, Big Tex, made his debut. And, countless big moments have occurred over the years at the Texas-Oklahoma football game, which is played during the Fair each year.”

 

Trivia:

State Fair of Texas sets a record: World’s largest Frito pie

Today at the State Fair of Texas, a crew from Frito-Lay set a Guinness record by building the world’s biggest Frito pie: 1,325 pounds of chips, chili, and cheese.

“The winning formula: 635 bags of Fritos, 660 cans of chili, and 580 bags of shredded cheddar cheese.  Even by the standards of State Fair foods, this is … what’s the word I’m looking for?   ‘Overwhelming’?”        

More at: http://statefairblog.dallasnews.com/2012/10/state-fair-of-texas-sets-a-record-worlds-largest-frito-pie.html/

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Chinese Lantern Festival

“An old-time Fair Park tradition, the swan paddle boats, will be replaced by an ancient Chinese tradition during this year’s State Fair of Texas, as the Chinese Lantern Festival lights up the lagoon for the first time in a celebration of culture and beauty.

By day, the display will showcase Chinese art featuring giant animals, buildings and stories. The displays were tied together by hand by 43 Chinese artists. At night, the pieces will become a glowing display of color.

Of the 22 major lantern sets, some are single pieces, such as a 50-foot-high Chamber of the Fairies, while others contain dozens of pieces, such as numerous ant figurines at play. A few are not lanterns, such as a 330-foot-long undulating dragon made of 15,000 porcelain dishes tied together. Other sets tell stories, such as a mermaid in a garden holding a pearl. In a nod to Texas, there will also be a herd of longhorn cattle and a glowing set of bluebonnets.” More and pictures at: http://dallas.culturemap.com/newsdetail/09-28-12-chinese-lantern-festival-at-the-state-fair-of-texas-takes-you-somewhere-over-the-rainbow

More about the fair at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Fair_of_Texas

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Things Start Hopping in October in Texas.

October is one of the best months to visit the Lone Star State. Not only is the weather cool and comfortable, but a variety of events and festivals are staged across Texas most every weekend in October.

Houston Italian Festival  For more than a quarter century, the Houston Italian Festival has celebrated Italian heritage, culture and romance. The festival features live entertainment, bocce ball, a grape stomp, pasta eating contest, food and more.

Harvest Moon Regatta Staged between Galveston and Port Aransas, the Harvest Moon Regatta is one of the largest port-to-port sailboat races in North America.

Texas Rose Festival Started in 1933, the Texas Rose Festival has become part of the fabric of life in Tyler. The Rose Parade is just part of the fun, that includes the Coronation Ball and the East Texas Symphony Orchestra’s “Concert in the Park.” Don’t forget to visit the Rose Museum while visiting the “Rose Capital of the Nation.”

Austin Film Festival Featuring over 100 films, the Austin Film Festival includes a four-day screenwriters' conference featuring internationally known writers, directors, actors and producers. The Festival is held at the Driskell Hotel and other locations througout Austin.

Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival The annual Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest has been held in downtown Fredericksburg since 1990. The festival includes food and wine sampling, an auction, games and live entertainment - all set in this quaint Hill Country community.

Texas Mushroom Festival Held in Madisonville, the Texas Mushroom Festival features a cooking contest, mushroom growing demonstrations, wine tasting, children's activities, photography contest, live music and more.

Texas Renaissance Festival A six-week trip back to the 16th century, the Texas Renaissance Festival features over 200 daily performances, 300 arts and crafts shops, 60 food and beverage shops, nightly fireworks and more than 3,000 costumed characters strolling the grounds. Although it is not technically an "Oktoberfest," the opening weekend of the Renaissance festival is themed as Oktoberfest and the event covers the entire month.

Czhilispiel Based in the Czech settlement of Flatonia, Czhilispiel has been held annually for over 30 years, drawing some of the best chili and bbq cook-off teams from across the state.

Texas Rice Festival Winnie's annual Texas Rice Festival is held each October to help celebrate the harvest of the rice crop. The event features food, a carnival, livestock show, arts & crafts, and live music from top Texas and Nashville entertainers.

Texas Reds Festival Held each October in Bryan, the Texas Reds Festival is an ode to red wine and steak. With more than 20 wineries participating, this steak and wine festival features wine tasting, a steak cook-off, live entertainment, a 'KidZone' and more. Started in 2007, the Texas Reds Festival also showcases the arts and historic downtown Bryan. Although tickets must be purchased for steak and wine, there is no admission charge to the Texas Reds Festival, qualifying it as one of Texas' best "free" festivals.

Austin City Limits Music Festival One of the largest and most popular music festivals in the country, the Austin City Limits Music Festival features in excess of 130 performing acts offering a mix of music from various genres.

Wonder Pet Expo Dallas will take place at Dallas Market Hall on October 20, 2012. Come be a part of all the fun and entertainment! The Bonzi and Pinky Show will be racing to educate in the Wonder Paws Raceway! There will be agility, frisbee dogs, dog dancing, K-9 Police demonstrations and much more! read more

Oktoberfest – Fredericksburg  October 5-7 Music: Polka. Fredericksburg's authentic Oktoberfest combines the traditions of the Old World with the best of Fredericksburg! Polka, waltz, two-step and line dancing featured. Food concessions, arts and heirloom displays. Polka Capital of Texas! German music is our main emphasis with three days and three stages of the best German music around. Over 20 bands will perform throughout the weekend.

Jasper Fall Fest October 6 Music: Bluegrass, Cajun/Zydeco, Country, Gospel, Reggae, Western Swing.  Activities: Awards show. Jasper Fall Fest is a festival filled with special events and live musical performances. Festivities begin at 9 a.m. and last until 4:00 p.m. Activities include the following: Arts and Crafts, Business Expo, photo contest and show, all-day live entertainment, lots of food and more.

Many more music fests at: http://governor.state.tx.us/music/events/tmec_october/

Sports events: http://www.chooseyourevent.com/event_search.asp?State=Texas&themonth=October&month=10

Other events at: http://www.texasbob.com/event/oct.php

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Hispanic Heritage Month

“American Latino History is American History, and Hispanic Heritage Month presents us with the perfect opportunity to learn about the full scope and history of the American experience.”

 

International Rio Grande Delta Archeology Fair, 10/13/2012

Location: Visitor Center | Map Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Fee Information: Free Contact Phone Number: 956-541-2785

“On May 8, 1846 troops of the United States and Mexico clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto in the first battle of a two-year war.Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park preserves the scene of this clash between nations and informs visitors about its national and international importance. As the only unit of the National Park Service with a primary focus on the US-Mexican War, Palo Alto Battlefield also interprets the entire conflict--including the details of its origins and the broad range of consequences.”

“Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and the Historic Brownsville Museum will be co-sponsoring the International Rio Grande Delta Archeology Fair in an effort to provide the community with an opportunity to learn about Archeology and the local archeological resources, as well as instill in the visitor a sense of shared stewardship and an appreciation of the value of resource preservation.  Professional and avocational Archeologist, as well as a variety of local museums, from both sides of the border will exhibit displays on local archeological investigations, demonstrate period technological advances, and organize educational activities for visitors of all ages. There is no cost to attend the Archeology Fair, and a fun and educational experience will be had by all visitors who come.”

Did You Know?

“No official U.S. battle map exists for Palo Alto.  Lieutenant J. Edmund Blake, who was charged with drawing the map, accidentally shot himself and died just hours after the clash.”

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Tour of Rancho de las Cabras

Every 1st Saturday of every month. from 06/02/2012 to 01/05/2013

Location: meet at Floresville's River Park to caravan to ranch | Map Time: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Fee Information: FREE. Contact Name: Al Remley Contact Email: e-mail us Contact Phone Number: 210.534.8833

“Join a Park Ranger for the First Saturday tour of Rancho de las Cabras. It was built in the mid-1700s for the mission vaqueros who managed the livestock belonging to Mission Espada. Tour participants will learn about the historic ranch and the archaeological investigations conducted at the site.”

“Meet at Floresville River Park on SR 97 at 10 am to caravan to the site. From San Antonio take I-37 south, exit onto Hwy 181 south to Floresville; turn right onto SR 97 west to Floresville River Park.”

“Local ranchers had long been aware of the crumbling stone walls that protruded from a tangle of thorny brush at this Wilson County site. Situated on a high point above the San Antonio River, the ruin was a distinctive landmark. And given its proximity to San Antonio, with its rich Spanish Colonial heritage, some thought it might even be another Spanish mission.”  More at: http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/st-plains/images/he4.html

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On This Day:

Checkered flag waves at first postwar U.S. road race in Watkins Glen, New York, Oct 2, 1948:

“On this day in 1948, the first American road race since World War II takes place in Watkins Glen, a tiny town near the Finger Lakes in New York. In 1961, the Watkins Glen event was added to the Formula One Grand Prix schedule and for the next 20 years it was a destination for the world's best drivers. Compared to Monte Carlo and other sophisticated stops on the Formula One circuit, Watkins Glen was scarcely even on the map (Sports Illustrated poked fun at its "courage and cornpone, sophistication with straw in its teeth"), but the race was named the best Grand Prix of the season more than once.

Road racing--that is, racing sleek sports cars on real roads instead of custom-built tracks--had fizzled out in the United States during World War II, but was revived in Watkins Glen by an enterprising young law student named Cameron Argetsinger. Argetsinger was a fan of European road racing in particular and fast driving in general and he was convinced that the village's twisting, scenic lanes and byways would be perfect for a Grand-Prix–style event. (He was motivated by more than civic boosterism, however: as he once explained to a reporter, "I had an MG-TC and didn't have a place to race it.")  Argetsinger spent months planning the race--he plotted its course by arranging and rearranging magazines on his living room floor--and finally settled on a 6.6-mile, mostly paved route around the town's perimeter.

Before the race could happen, Argetsinger needed to get permission from nine different state agencies and the New York Central railroad, which agreed to suspend train service through Watkins Glen for the afternoon so that the drivers could cross the tracks safely. (As a result, some people refer to October 2 as "the day the trains stopped.")  Twenty-three cars participated in that first race; Argetsinger and his MG finished ninth.

By the end of the decade, the event was drawing 100,000 spectators each year and in 1956, after a couple of race-day accidents on the public roads, the town built a brand-new course especially for its Grand Prix. In 1961, the Watkins Glen race became the only American stop on the Formula One tour ("A biscuit," one reporter wrote, "reincarnated as a brioche").

In 1981, citing financial difficulties, Formula One dropped the race from its schedule. Since then, there have been U.S. Grand Prix races in cities from coast to coast--in Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas, Phoenix and Indianapolis--but none as successful or celebrated as the ones at Watkins Glen.”

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Yesterday:

Apples are supposed to be the only fruit that one can mix with veggies. When making some veggie juice in my auger juicer, I peeled the label off an apple, and it came from New Zealand! 

Now why would USA have to import apples from New Zealand?  Don’t we have enough growing in Washington State, Michigan and New York to feed Americans?  I am surprised that it didn’t come from China as they are the largest grower of apples.

A sober Jay called in the evening wanting someone to pick him up from the jail, so as it was dark, his mother went to get him. I don’t drive in the dark.

After the events of the morning, everything was quiet for the rest of the day.