The residents of Del Rio, a town of 35,000 people on theU.S.-Mexico border, are in for a special treat this month. On April 8 they’ll be the first Texans to witness a total solar eclipse before it continues on its path through Boerne, Tyler, Texarkana, and beyond. Since this will be the last solar eclipse for 20 years, the towns in its track are hosting parties. Onlookers in Del Rio will have 3 minutes and 28 seconds to view the sun’s glowing corona, or outer atmosphere. The eclipse culminates the city’s four-day Solar Eclipse Fest, complete with a concert headlined by John Michael Montgomery and a raffle for a new car.
You’ll find more events as the eclipse moves northeast. The Texas Eclipse Festival in Burnet (April5-9) offers musical performances, immersive art, a space travel exposition, science presentations, and glamping. The public is invited to the gated community of Fort Clark Springs near Brackettville (April6-8), where visitors can dance in the street, attend an astronomy talk, and float in the springfed swimming pool as the eclipse passes overhead. Junction’s Texclipse Music Festival (April6-8) invites country music mainstays Sunny Sweeney and Rick Trevino to the stage. In East Texas, Totality Tyler (April5-8) features a performance by the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, planetarium shows, and a “lunar lunch” at the Goodman Museum. Copperas Cove’s Solar Eclipse Festival (April5-8) welcomes guest presentations from astronomers and eclipse chasers.
This rare celestial event is a sight to behold. Make sure to snag a pair of eclipse-viewing glasses to avoid eye damage. The glasses are free at some public libraries and for sale online, but make sure they’re certified by the American Astronomical Society.
Solar Eclipse Fest, April 5-8
2006 N. Main St., Del Rio.
830-775-3551; txsolareclipsefest.com
BIG BEND COUNTRY
ALPINE
Gem and Mineral Show
April 19-21
Check out an array of special gems and minerals and see some demonstrations. There are door prizes, and admission is free. Alpine Civic Center, 801 W. Holland Ave. 432-729-4526; facebook.com/p/chihuahuan-desert-gem-mineral-club-100064703045076
ALPINE
Spirits of the West Fest
April 19-20
Texas winemakers, spirit distillers, and brewmasters come together with beef producers and chefs from across Texas at this open-air festival with live music on the grounds of the Brewster County Courthouse. 201 W. Ave. E. 432-294-1071; spiritsfestwtx.com
GULF COAST
ALVIN
Rotary Club Frontier Day
April 25-27
The 50th annual event features the popular Frontier Day Parade through old downtown. There are children’s rides, food concessions, carnival activities, arts and crafts vendors, and an antique car and bike show with vintage tractors on display. Proceeds support scholarships and other charitable activities in the Alvin area. National Oak Park, 118 S. Magnolia St. 713-828-9477; alvinrotary.org/sitepage/frontier-day
ARANSAS PASS
Fishing for Wishes Tournament
April 20
Support Friends for Wishes, the largest contributor to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, at this fishing tournament where anglers can compete in categories that include redfish, trout, most spots on a redfish, blackjack trout, and Texas Slam. There are also kids’ fishing tournaments, pier fishing, and Make-A-Wish kids, plus a live auction, drop ticket raffle, and giveaways. Aransas Pass Convention Center, 700 W. Wheeler Ave. 281-451-7769; friendsforwishes.org
BRAZORIA
Migration Celebration
April 27-28
At this event, naturalists take visitors on tours of the refuge by marsh buggy or wagon. Children can participate in activities ranging from archery and fishing for catfish to bug sweeping and touch tanks. Adults
