Probably the most loathed insect in Texas, the mosquito is a nuisance during the summer months. But Clute, an hour south of Houston, celebrates the mosquito on the last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of each July. “We’re down here on the coast, it gets hot, and we have tons of mosquitoes,” says Will Blackstock, Clute parks and recreation director and chairman of the festival. “We can’t get rid of them, so we might as well have a party to celebrate them.”
The Great Texas Mosquito Festival, which began in 1980, attracts around 13,000 visitors to Clute annually, with popular events such as mosquito calling and the Mosquito Legs contest. For the mosquito calling contest, participants give their best interpretation of a mosquito call. “Everyone is different. Some go up and make buzzing noises, while others say, ‘Here skeeter, skeeter.’ It’s whatever they feel,” Blackstock says. For Mosquito Legs, entrants compete for the most-mosquito-like legs.
There’s also the Mosquito Chase 5K Run; Senior Swatter’s Bingo; around 140 vendors selling food and crafts; a barbecue cookoff; and the Grill Master Competition, where contestants are given a box of secret ingredients and two hours to whip up something on the grill. Live music occurs daily, and this year’s performers include the Josh Abbott Band, Bluewater Highway, Tilluride, Profugos de Nuevo Leon, and Bag of Donuts. Don’t leave without snapping a picture with Willie Man-Chew, the festival’s mascot and world’s largest depiction of a mosquito at almost 30 feet tall.
BIG BEND COUNTRY
ALPINE
Fourth of July Celebration
July 4
Alpine’s annual parade offers a car show, live music, and fireworks, plus Alpine Cowboys baseball, outdoor theater, and other entertainment. Kokernot Municipal Park, 1500 Fighting Buck Ave. 432-837-5539; visitalpinetx.com
ALPINE
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
July 7-9, 14-16, 21-23
Theatre of the Big Bend presents a production of the musical comedy about a fictitious spelling bee at a middle school. Kokernot Outdoor Theatre, 1710 Loop Road. 432-837-8218; visitalpinetx.com/venue/kokernot-outdoor-theatre
ALPINE
Viva Big Bend
July 26-30
Viva Big Bend’s 12th year features 60-plus shows in a wide range of music genres at more than 10 venues in Alpine, Marfa, Fort Davis, Marathon, and Terlingua. Various locations. 512-472-6630; vivabigbend.com
EL PASO
Viva! El Paso
June 23-Aug. 5
This musical celebrates the four major cultures that have influenced the city. Native American, Spanish Conquistador, Mexican, and Western American cultures and their histories come alive through drama, song, and dance by a cast of over 50 performers. McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre, 1331 McKelligon Canyon Road. 915-276-5681; vivaelpaso.org
FORT STOCKTON
Fourth of July Celebration
July 2
Previous festivities have included live music, vendors, and goat roping. The fireworks show starts after dark. James Rooney Memorial Park, South Springs Drive. 432-299-1220; visitfortstockton.com
MIDLAND
Celebration of the Arts
July 21-23
The fine art and fine craft event in the Permian Basin features local artists and entertainers, nonprofit organizations, family activities, and events throughout the weekend. Friday night offers a ticketed Premier Party showcasing visual artists. Bush Convention Center, 105 N. Main St. 432-687-1149; acmidland.org
MONAHANS
Freedom Festival
July 4
Ring in the Fourth with a parade, food and craft vendors, games, live music, dunking booths, and fireworks. Hill Park, 500 S. Allen St. 432-943-2187; monahans.org
GULF COAST
BAYTOWN
Fourth of July Celebration
July 3-4
Grammy-winners Siggno and Sunny Sauceda take the stage on July 3, and Grammy-winner LeAnn Rimes brings her hits as the headliner on the 4th. Rimes is joined by Madeline Edwards and R.L. Bell. The fireworks start right after Rimes’ performance. Bicentennial Park, 1001 Market St. 281-420-6597; baytown.org
BRAZORIA
Santa Anna Ball
July 15
This ball reenacts the Santa Ana Ball given in Brazoria at Jane Long’s Tavern in 1832. The annual fundraiser for the Brazoria Heritage Foundation includes a gourmet dinner with wine and silent and live auctions. Brazoria Heritage Foundation Civic Center, 202 W. Smith St. 979-824-0455; brazoriahf.org
CLUTE
The Sound of Music
July 7-9, 14-16
This show follows Maria, serving as governess to seven children of an imperious captain, as Nazis take hold of Austria. Join the von Trapp family in one of the world’s most beloved musicals. Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd. 979-265-7661; brazosportcenter.org
HOUSTON
Art of the Cameroon Grassfields, a Living Heritage in Houston
Through July 9
This exhibition, celebrating the enduring artistic traditions of Cameroon and its global diaspora, features headdresses, masks, prestige hats, royal stools and figural
