Parks across Texas are celebrating the centennial with stargazing parties, bike and kayak tours, wilderness walks, fishing clinics, heritage days, and more.
Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway joins the party with Experience Caprock! on May 6. Park visitors can learn the basics of nature photography, hiking, and fishing, plus take a drive through the landscape with a park interpreter. “The activities are really about helping folks understand the things they can do, and to be mindful when hiking, how to fish without being an expert, and how to take a great nature shot when you’re not a professional photographer,” says Le’Ann Pigg, assistant superintendent at Caprock Canyons.
To cap off the day, volunteer astronomers bring in their highpowered telescopes for evening stargazing and give talks on how light pollution is hurting dark skies.
Entry to the park—and to all state parks hosting official 100th anniversary celebration events—is free on the day of the event.
Village Creek State Park north of Beaumont is hosting a full moon night trek on May 5, where a ranger leads hikers to see and learn about the park’s nocturnal creatures. At Stonewall’s Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site on Sept. 17, guests can plant wildflower seeds. On Oct. 14, Kickapoo Cavern State Park in Brackettville is open late for guests to view the solar eclipse and watch as bats fly from their cave in search of food. Travel east of Dallas on Nov. 18 to enjoy Lake Tawakoni State Park’s Dutch Oven Cookoff, where camp cooking abounds in main courses, desserts, vegetarian dishes, and side dishes. Find more events at state parks across Texas at tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/100-year-celebration.
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BIG BEND COUNTRY
DEL RIO
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
May 3-5
Remember the Battle of Puebla, which took place during the French-Mexican War when an out-numbered Mexican army defeated invading French forces at Puebla. There is a parade, live music, food, and arts and crafts vendors. Brown Plaza, 305 Cantu St. 830-719-2330; facebook.com/brownplazaofdelrio
FORT DAVIS
Mile-High Mountains Fest
May 13
Guided hikes, educational booths, and kid-friendly activities take place throughout the park. Snap pics at selfie stations placed at photogenic vistas, participate in a scavenger hunt, and end the day with a ranger-led sunset program at the Skyline Drive Overlook. Davis Mountains State Park, SH 118 North, Park Road 3. 432-426-3337; tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks
FORT STOCKTON
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
May 6
Commemorate and celebrate Mexican history and culture. The party includes live bands, folklórico dancers, and street vendors. This is a free event that’s open to the public. Fort Stockton Convention Center, 2181 I-10 West. 432-299-1220
MONAHANS
Golf Tournament
May 20-21
The Monahans Chamber of Commerce hosts this golf tournament held at the Ward County Golf Course. The tournament format is a three-person scramble. Ward County Golf Course, 2028 SH 18 North. 432-943-2187; monahans.org
VAN HORN
Cinco De Mayo
May 5-6
Celebrate the culture and traditions of Mexico with food, arts and crafts, mariachi bands, folklórico dancers, and other local talent. A moonlit outdoor dance concludes the celebration. Van Horn City Park, Second and Austin streets. 432-283-2682; vanhorntexas.org
GULF COAST
CORPUS CHRISTI
Buc Days
May 4-14
There’s something for buccaneers of every age at Buc Days, including a rodeo, concerts, and carnival rides. American Bank Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd. 361-826-4744; bucdays.com
FREEPORT
Cinco De Mayo Celebration
May 6
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in historic downtown Freeport with food trucks and live entertainment. Freeport Historical Museum, 311 E. Park Ave. 979-233-0066; freeport.tx.us/page/historical_museum
FREEPORT
Spring Market Day
May 13
Local vendors sell homemade goods and farm fresh items. Freeport Historical Museum, 311 E. Park Ave. 979-233-0066; freeport.tx.us/page/historical_museum
FULTON
Babes on the Bay
May 19-20
Babes on the Bay is a women’s fishing tournament that has run since
