With an abundance of lakes, water sports, public beaches, parks, splash pads, and picnic areas, there’s no shortage of summer fun in the Upper East Side of Texas. Take a day trip train through East Texas from Longview to Mineola and back. Enjoy mini golf, bowling, escape rooms, laser tag, arcades, go carts, water parks, and zip lining. Or grab a friend and enjoy time in a cozy cafe or public gathering space in one of our small towns or cultural districts. See a play. Enjoy an art exhibition. Listen to live music.
Cinco De Mayo takes place in several towns, mostly on May 3. Memorial Day at the end of May generally kicks off the summer officially with special events and is a good time to visit some of the many award-winning veterans parks in the region. Find links to our active community’s calendars on the home page of www.CountyLineMagazine.com. Here are a few events to get you started on designing your best summer ever.
Find more music and arts-related events in those sections of this publication.
May through October
Sail With Scott. Rockwall. Embark on the perfect date night or family adventure aboard The Seawolf, a breathtaking 40-foot sailing catamaran taking off from the scenic Harbor in Rockwall, gracefully gliding along the water of Lake Ray Hubbard. A variety of options include 5:30 p.m. Family Daytime Sail; 7 p.m. Sunset Sail, and 8 p.m. Starlight Cruise. Feel free to bring beverages and snacks and unwind while witnessing the tranquil beauty on Lake Ray Hubbard. sailwithscott.com
Through June 29
Bugs LIVE. McKinney. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary. Visitors explore larger-than-life animatronic insects and arachnids, strategically positioned along the nature trails of the Heard. www.heardmuseum.org
May 1-4
Historical Pilgrimage. Jefferson. Includes home and garden tours, Diamond Bessie Murder Trial theatre performances, parade, artisan craft fair, quilt exhibit, and area attractions. jefferson-pilgrimage.com
May 3
Winnsboro Festival of Books. Winnsboro Center for the Arts presents a celebration of all things literary. Event includes panel discussions, author readings, a children’s performance, and writers’ workshops. Published adult and children authors in attendance. Bowery Pedestrian Park, Downtown Winnsboro. winnsborocenterforthearts.com
May 3
Cinco de Mayo Celebration. Sulphur Springs. Live music, authentic Mexican cuisine, artisans, and colorful crafts. Downtown Sulphur Springs. visitsulphurspringstx.org
May 3
Taco Festival. Terrell. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.. Showcases the restaurants in the Terrell area and their signature tacos. In addition, there is a kids play zone, arts and craft vendors, food vendors, and live music and entertainment. www.discoverterrell.com/events-calendar/
May 9-10
Piney Woods Wine Festival. Lindale. Held in Mount Vernon for several years, it moved to Lindale in 2016 and expanded to include a second fall event a couple of years ago. Activities include a wine garden with tastings offered by wineries of the Piney Woods Wine Trail, artisan vendors, tasty food trucks, and live music. Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square, Downtown Lindale. visitlindale.com The Spring Piney Woods Wine Festival takes place May 9-10 at Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square, in Lindale. It features wines from members of the Piney Woods Wine Trail, live music, food trucks, and artisan shopping opportunities. Tickets range from $15 to $120 and are available on Eventbrite and at the gate.
May 9-10
Eiffel in Love with Quilts. Paris. Presented by the Red River Valley Quilt Guide. parisquiltshow.com
May 10
Hunt County Festival of the Arts. Greenville. Experience the talents of regional artists and a day with games, vendors, food, and music. Downtown Greenville.
May 17
Wine Swirl. Longview. 2019. Wine tastings. visitlongviewtexas.com/wine-swirl
May 17
Founders Day Festival. Rockwall. Concert, food trucks, and family fun activities. rockwall.com/mainstreet Join us as Rockwall celebrates the annual Founders Day Festival on Saturday, May 17! This free, family-friendly event takes place in Downtown Rockwall and Harry Myers Park, featuring a day packed with entertainment, activities, and live music featuring headliner Josh Turner! Photos in may/June folder.
May 17
Evan Wade. Sulphur Springs. The Community Players present country music performer Evan Wade in an acoustic show at 7 p.m. May 17 at Main St Theatre, 225 Main St. in Sulphur Springs. Tickets are $15. For more information on the Main St. Theatre and Community Players visit www.CommunityPlayersInc.com
May 17
Hopkins County Freedom Ball. Sulphur Springs. 6-10 p.m. Hopkins County Civic Center. “Remember Us.” This is a special event that includes dinner, dancing, and a patriotic guest speaker to honor and thank veterans and family members for their sacrifice. The event includes dinner and music with a stringed orchestra featuring Suzanna Herrera. Tickets are $150 each. The first 200 veterans to reserve are free. Call (903) 438-4003 or email [email protected] for tickets and more information.
Every Saturday May 17 – September 20
Celebration Market. Sulphur Springs. 6-10 p.m. Features locally grown produce, homemade arts and crafts, homemade goodies, entertainment and more. Children enjoy the splash pad, bubbles, balloons, and hands-on activities. For more information go to www.VisitSulphurSpringsTX.org or call (903) 885-7541.
May 23-25
National Polka Festival. Ennis. Celebrating Czech heritage and traditions with dances, polka music, King and Queen Dance Contest, parade, and delicious food. nationalpolkafestival.com
May 24
Landon Winery Hosts Podcasters for Milestone Episode. Greenville. The podcast, We Know Texas Vino, is recording its 100th episode at Landon Winery in downtown Greenville at 2 p.m. This ticketed event celebrates Texas wines with a special Q&A with Bob Landon, founder of Landon Winery; a wine tasting; and a charcuterie grazing table. Tickets are $55 per person, available on Eventbrite. Those who don’t go to the live recording can listen to it along with other shows on www.WeKNowTexasVino.wine. Landon Winery is located at 2508 Lee Street. Call (903) 454-7878 or visit www.LandonWinery.com to for more information on this event and other activities.
June 5
ArtWalk Longview. A free, self-guided tour of downtown business venues exhibiting and selling art. Guests enjoy the museums, restaurants, food trucks, street musicians, and many talented artists.
June 6-7
Junebug Music, Makers & Art Show. Ben Wheeler. Art by professional and up-and-coming artisans, live music, Lyra performances, craft cocktails, and kids arts and crafts area. The Forge Bar and Grill. theforgebenwheeler.com
June 6-14
Hopkins County Dairy Festival. Sulphur Springs. Hot air balloons, parade, cow patty bingo, milking contest, carnival, pageant, junior dairy show. hopkinscountydairyfestival.com
June 7
Gingerbread Trail Tour of Homes. Waxahachie. Tour includes historic homes, historic courthouse, Sims Library, and Ellis County Museum. Guests meet history enthusiasts and architecture aficionados. gingerbreadtrail.org
June 13, 20, & 27, July 11, 18, and 25
Music at the Market Concert Series. Greenville. Free concerts at the Market Square on Friday evenings. travelgreenvilletx.com
June 14
Tomato Fest. Jacksonville. First created during the Great Depression to celebrate Jacksonville’s agricultural heritage, Tomato Week was revived in the 1980s and continues strong now each year. Activities include a tomato eating contest, farmers’ market, salsa contest, tomato opening contest, and car show. Jacksonville is designated the Tomato Capitol of the World. jacksonvilletexas.com/tomato-fest
June 14
Texas Blueberry Festival. Nacogdoches. 1990. June. Celebrating the harvest of the blueberries, it features live music, blueberry picking, auto exhibits, shopping, and restaurant specials. texasblueberryfestival.com
June 20
Greenville Juneteenth Celebration. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Graham Park, 800 Walnut Street. Live music by Tri-Vinity, live DJ, food trucks, face painting, photo booth.
June 21
A Pair of Jokers. Marshall. Features comedians Pat Hazell and Amy Barnes. Memorial City Hall Performance Center
June 14-15
Antique Tractor Show. Terrell. The North Texas Antique Tractor and Engine Club antique tractors of various models. The event includes an antique tractor “sled pull” and a tractor parade. www.discoverterrell.com/events-calendar/
June 27-28
Laugh Out Longview Improv Festival and Duck Duck Moose Improv.
July 4
Terrell Freedom Fest. 6-9 p.m. Annual celebration of freedom with pyrotechnic show and more. No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum has food vendors and live music. Activities take place at Terrell Municipal Airport. The No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum hosts AMRR motorcycle riders who journey to Terrell to honor the 20 fallen heroes from the United Kingdom, U.S. and Canada who died while training at the No. 1 British Flying Training School during WWII. www.discoverterrell.com/events-calendar/
July 4
Fireworks and Freedom Celebration. Longview. 6 p.m. Free concert, fireworks, cruise night and patriotic car show, vendors and entertainment, children’s music, hot dog eating contest, and trivia contest. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Longview Convention Complex. Get the full schedule on www.LongviewTexas.gov.
July 4-5
Thunder Over Cedar Creek Lake Airshow. 6-9 p.m. Fighter jets, aerial acrobatics aircraft and formation flight teams.
July 19
Tour De Paris. Paris. 1985. July. Features multiple routes tailored to riders of all skill levels, including 14 and 24 mile off-road on the Northeast Texas Trail and five county routes. paristexasbiking.com
July 26
July Fest. Gun Barrel City. High profile concert and drone show. Gun Barrel City Park. gunbarrelcity.gov
