I was in charge of hosting a fall company event for my work and I chose the Dripping Springs…read morePumpkin Festival. What intrigued me was that there were so many activities occurring at once for all ages. The company work event was not just for the adults, but also for kids and elders. Entry fee was $15 for ages 4 and up. $0 for babies 0-3, and $0 for elders 65 and older. The entry fee was reasonable for all of the activities that the festival had to offer but some activities had an additional fee. There was a little train ride, a petting zoo, and numerous vendors selling clothes, jewelry, etc. My team loved the food and drink options, my favorite was Pecos Petes! They sold a massive mug/cup for $25 and allowed refills all day. Pecos Petes had a selection of root beers, teas, and lemonade. The cup was a very cute memento as the back of it had the Dripping Springs pumpkin festival on it. There were swings and a talented bubble artist who kept the kids entertained for hours! The pumpkin festival was filled with numerous photo-ops for families and friends. My favorite was the horseshoe toss along with the lasso toss! Overall, we had a great company party, it was nice to be in such a festive environment. I am glad that parts of the festival had trees and tents to provide shade as it got pretty hot out there. A downside was the parking. On the website, they do stress that the parking is an issue and they even offer coupon codes for ride shares, so at least they are trying to make the public aware.

Very impressed with the pumpkin festival!…read more We have three kids that range from 4yrs to 8yr and 10yrs. While our youngest was on the rides and swings, our older boys could play patch pong and football next by. There were so many activities for all ages. They even had this kernel pit where they could all play. My son who is on the spectrum loved it. There is also a throwing ax spot that also has soccer balls so they loved kicking those too on the bull's eye. Then there was a feeding birds and feeding goats section. So much to do and we didn't even do it all. There was also a craft market and food trucks. Such a nice setup. And later in the day there is music and shows which we missed. There are a bunch of spots to take photos with skeletons and lots of pumpkins and gourds to buy at reasonable prices. You pay $15 to enter and parking is free. Then you pay for certain things like train ride, face painting and animal feed which our youngest wanted. All in all a great experience and our kids said they loved it - unprompted.

I've been to Live Fire for three years in a row. And for three years it has exceeded expectations…read more It's up there with La Dolce Vita in terms of the quality and caliber of chefs. A little smaller scale but imagine being outside at the Salt Lick on a near perfect night, sampling the best of Austin and sippin' on fantastic wines and cocktails. The tickets are a little pricey -- $80ish -- but I promise it is well worth it. Make sure you're there for every moment if you can. The best strategy is just keep moving. You'll see 100 people you know there but it's crucial to keep moving forward or you'll get full or miss something. The chefs really do a great job of making sure they've got enough for everyone though and the Live Fire organizers are good about not overselling. Definitely one of my favorite signature events. It's also great that it benefits the Austin food and wine alliance!

There is nothing more than I love but, to attend an event hosted by The Austin Food & Wine…read moreAlliance. They always serve up the tastiest, well planned and most fun events! This was my first year at the Live Fire Event and it did not disappoint. The tickets were about $85.00 but well worth the price! Think of it as a non-traditional night out that you will walk away from with the meat and booze sweats! Who doesn't love that? This is an event had every one of the best restaurants in Austin showing off their best take on meat! There was burgers, lamb skewers, tacos, pork belly, etc. coming out of all booths! The layout was perfectly planned because they had a couple food tents and then a couple drink booths. This allowed your stomach to digest while you sipped on wine, bourbon, vodka, etc. The Salt Lick Pecan Grove Pavilion was a great choice for this event and the weather was warm but, cooled off quickly! There wasn't a shortage of parking or shady trees for you to take a break under. I also liked the second level that was behind the pavilion and hosted troughs of water, iced tea and lemonade to refresh yourself before you drove home! The pavilion had a very nice sound system and I loved the string lights they had in the trees! The sunset was beautiful behind the large trees! Some of the tents were crowded but, I also feel like the event goers moved in so many directions that you always had a tent to walk right up to and get served. I wish I could say that I tried every food and beverage vendor but, my stomach couldn't handle it. Better to have more than enough though in my opinion. If you haven't been to an Austin Food & Wine Alliance Event you really should because you are missing out on the true flavor of Austin!

4 years ago when I was in Austin for my grandson's High School graduation my daughter suggested we…read morego to the Blanco Lavender Festival since she knows I love lavender, the color and the fragrance. A group of us went including two children and 5 adults. We all had a great time. There were lots of Booths to look at selling lots of products. My daughter and I both bought products from a man selling lotions and soaps made from goat milk in 2013 and were disappointed when we went back in 2017 and he was nowhere to be found, either physically or online. We had both hoped to buy more to replace what we had used up. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I came back in June of 2017 for my grandson's college graduation and asked my daughter if she would like to go to the Lavender Festival again. She said yes because she hadn't been since the last time I was in town so the two of us went and as before mentioned were disappointed not to find the goat milk guy. I was also keeping an eye out for the booth of Imagine Lavender Farm which had been there four years ago but never did find any sign of them this trip. I even asked at the information booth and neither name came up on their list of participators. I found a t-shirt for the festival last trip that was on sale because it was a shirt from a previous year but did not find anything like that this time. It would have been fun to buy a lavender t-shirt at the Lavender Festival if they had had one I liked for a good price. I usually try to go through the Lavender Festival twice, the first time quickly and the second time more slowly. I might have bought some lavender lotion or other products from a different vendor since the one I was looking for was not there but my daughter was getting hot, and it certainly was an extremely hot day, so I didn't want to ask her if we could take the time for me to go through again. We had both hoped to find lavender ice cream but did not see any at this year's Festival either. There was lavender lemonade but an extremely long line so we didn't end up getting any. I did get 3 or 4 things when I had the opportunity including some lavender cuticle oil, a jar of spice and s small bag of lavender coffee. If I come back to town in 4 years I'll probably want to come to it again in the hopes that I would find new booths to make up for the old favorites being gone.

Another great year at The Lavender Festival a bit warm so make sure you drink liquids. Lots of…read morefolks on opening day at the festival so vendors seemed busy. Several new booths. One was a guy who makes cigar box guitars very cool and another who makes hiking staffs or walking sticks. Of course lots and lots of Lavender booths to shop for soaps, lotion, sachets, bug spray and more...

OK, so it's not exactly a popular thing at the moment to conflate "well done!" with "government…read moreagency". But that's exactly what happened last night in San Marcos! As part of the Main Street project to revitalize San Marcos' downtown, an agency of the City of San Marcos worked hand-in-hand with local businesses to promote shopping, nightlife, and good times in the context of a Wine and Wassail Walk. When the revitalization project is complete, the old broken and haphazard sidewalks and dangerous "two-step" gutters which abut the angle parking will be replaced by more tranquil parking islands and uniform walking paths, transforming downtown San Marcos into a destination rather than an avoidance. This event was a desperately needed shot-in-the-arm as downtown San Marcos suffers in the throes of some long-postponed infrastructure improvements. Water and sewer line life-cycle replacments have rendered several blocks of entire city streets a war zone for what seems like eons, but has really only been about a year. For those of you in Austin who can vividly recall the impact of the East 7th corridor revitalization, imagine that running through the heart of your downtown, and you've got the picture. It will all be glorious in the end, but, in the meantime, this event was a great draw and boon for those businesses gutsy and tough enough to see it through. Eighteen businesses participated, including one humidor, a cell phone repair store, a barber shop, a paint-your-own-pottery business, several clothing stores, a few salons, and two museums. Very reasonably priced tickets were sold for the event to benefit Main Street San Marcos and United Way. In return, each participant received a wine glass for sampling, as well as a tour map. Event organizers were careful to alternate starting points as each new registrant signed in, so as to disperse the crowd and not overwhelm the first stop. Complimentary parking was offered, and there were free horse-drawn carriage tours available. Each business, in turn, got to introduce themselves personally to the participants and offered a variety of wine samples. Most businesses also had their own wassail, and nearly all offered nibbles of sweets or cheese. Nearly every business had discounts available for same-night purchases or future services. For a fledgling event, it went splendidly! There was never a hint of overcrowding at any of the stops along the way, and you actually had time to get to know the folks behind the storefronts. I was able to get reacquainted with one of the true gems in downtown San Marcos (Paper Bear) and my date for the event eventually had to drag me out of the store (post purchase, of course). More on Paper Bear in a separate review. Best of all, I got my very first woozie! Don't know what a "woozie" is? Well, I guess you'll just have to attend next year and find out for yourself!

I'm surprised that you can review this, but I'm going for it! :D…read more I randomly found an ad for this event while browsing online and decided to check it out. I purchased tickets for my husband and I and got quite a bit of people from work to come to. The check in process for everyone except for me was easy. I'm glad I printed my receipt because they didn't have me or my husband on the list. However! The night was young and so are we :D The event was organized well and went off perfectly. The courthouse was where you checked in, got your wine glass, and a wine koozie. The courthouse was also the first stop on the route. I believe there were 14 business that participated and it was so fun! The businesses all did a great job of setting out food, and were so friendly when you came in. The wine was good, the wassail was great, and different places even had other drinks etc. I have lived in San Marvelous for almost 6 years and this is the MOST FUN EVENT I have been to! I loved how friendly everyone was and the great atmosphere that was going on. There was also a carriage ride if you wanted to partake. My husband and I are lucky enough to live close to downtown so we walked and didn't have to worry about parking. I think though that parking was adequate as I know the justice center was an option to park at. I tell EVERYONE how much fun this event was, and I'm so excited that they are going to be having a Art & Wine Walk on March 7th. I hope it will be just as awesome as this one was. I also would like to state that this walk helped me get inside of businesses that I haven't had the time to stop into and because of this event, I now have found the BEST HAIRDRESSER and Salon in San Marcos. :D I hope this event will be a yearly thing as my husband and I will continue to go.

Wurstfest is one of my favorite festivals to attend each year! The food, drinks and entertainment…read moreare always awesome. Pro tip- go on a week night because it's free entry. Weekends require purchased tickets. There's a little something for everyone, food galore, adult beverages, shopping, live music, a carnival, indoor and outdoor seating, etc. Do yourself a favor and get a pork chop on a stick. It's the most popular food item- you can tell by the constant line of people at their booth. My one disappointment is that beer prices continually rise every year. There was a point in time that you could get a domestic beer pitcher for $15-17, now a pitcher (import) is over $30! Although I wish the prices would decline, I know that I'm going to return each year because I always have the best time!

Quick historical tidbit: Of all the settlers that came to…read moreTexas only the German Immigrants did not break treaties with Indians. Which became the basis in the creation of New Braunfels. Why did I add this? Well, as a newbie to Wurstfest the friendliness by the community is abundant. I have been meaning to do it for years but that day never came, until now. I am not a fan of crowds even though I'm front and center for Fiesta San Antonio. In Texas we love to party. Which brings me back to my historical tidbit. All immigrants, settlers that have come(and still do) from other countries have contributed to the genesis of our state. Be it by culture, food and music. Wurstfest is a reaffirmation of the influence German Immigrants has had in the creation of a Texas identity. An event that unabashedly celebrates both sausage and beer, which is a match made in heaven. Firstly, I implore you to buy tickets online. It's five bucks lesser and will alleviate potential entrance headaches. As I get older I find myself opting to go early or when an event opens. If you're an introvert like as me I highly recommend this. Wurstfest offers a shuttle service that is minutes away. I encourage you to utilize this. For about ten bucks you park in a separate area away from the event. The shuttle buses run every few minutes. And they run extremely efficiently. When I arrived here I was struck by how vast it is. I have never been to the October Fest in Germany. But as big as Texas Events are this one is really on an epic scale. You can sense what this event means to this community. Before you even enter you see masses of men wearing Alpine Hats and lederhosen. And the women rocking dirndl dresses. Entering and walking on the grounds you are surrounded by beer, food and music. Pretzels. Schnitzel. Bratwurst. Sauerkraut. In all directions there are beer stations everywhere. You can buy beer by the cup, plastic stein or the pitcher. There is a small list of beers on tap: Spoetzl Brewery and Hofbrau, from Germany. Brace yourself for the lines. You won't find a Hazy IPA, Trappist ALE nor any other style of beer for that matter. All beer and food is meant to aggrandize German culture, heritage and traditions. Thus it is mainly German styles. In addition there are pockets of small and large areas with picnic style seating and music. It is a communal affair. In Wursthalle Oompah Bands are playing with festivalgoers steins hoisted in the air, in unison with the music. The dance floor is filled with couples and that odd single dude doing the "Chicken Dance." For a second I closed my eyes and could hear the similarities between Mexican and Conjunto music. Thus the German Culture is monumental. In contrast in San Antonio when events where food and drinks collide there is a rowdy crowd. It often leads to grandstanding or hot-headed patrons. All throughout the day everyone was extremely friendly. It is a party vibe but my summation is that festivalgoers want to have a good time without incident. People have commented on how expensive this event is. Food items are reasonably priced but the beer is where the brunt of your money will go to. Pitchers were $40 bucks and I saw people walking around with three or more empty vessels. My suggestion is to stick with the German beers. They go perfectly with the food and are more full bodied. Especially with the brezel wurst I had. I know this used to be a ticketed event for everything here. Food and beer are by credit or debit card only. Before I do a terrible, awkward and awful interpretation of a "Chicken Dance" to cap this review let me add this. The Wurstfest is an awesome event that celebrates German Heritage. It fits in with the historical narrative that all immigrants contribute and still continue to our mosaic. If you've never gone before I highly recommend it. Next year I'm going to rock an Alpine Hat but I'm leaving the lederhosen home.

The 27th Red Poppy Festival taking place in Georgetown, Texas on April 24-26, 2026 is an…read moreinteractive and welcoming spring celebration that truly captures the heart of the community. The festival is held in the city's historic downtown square. The festival brings together live music, artisans, vendors, food trucks, parades, and family-friendly activities in a festive atmosphere. The streets come alive with color, energy, and the signature red poppies that symbolize Georgetown's identity as the "Red Poppy Capital of Texas". Until today, I did not know this well-kept secret. It was so cool to see so many people with poppy clothing - dresses, tops, pants and even one gentleman with a red poppy beard. My friend and I spent 6 hours at the festival. This festival has a little something for everyone. Georgetown visitors and residents enjoyed multiple music stages (Red Poppy, Mayfair and Celebrate) featuring local and nationally recognized performers, browse more than 150 handmade artisan booths, and take part in traditions he such as the Poppy Parade, classic car show, and the POPP Pup Parade. The featured bands while we visited included: Red Poppy Stage Schedule American Gypsy Band: 5:15-6:15 p.m. Jade Eagleson: 6:45-8 p.m. Maddie & Tae: 8:30-10 p.m. Mayfair Stage Schedule Rich Stolp: 4-5 p.m. Celebrate Stage Schedule GISD Ballet Folklorico and Mariachi Band: 4-4:50 p.m. Georgetown Palace Theatre Education: 5-5:55 p.m. The Red Poppy Festival fostered a huge sense of community. Local businesses, volunteers, and performers came together to create a warm, authentic small-town experience. With thoughtful touches such as shuttles, accessible parking options, and pet-friendly policies, the festival reflects Georgetown's hospitality and commitment to inclusivity. The event was well-organized, free to attend, and designed to appeal to all ages, making it an ideal outing for families, couples, and friends. The Red Poppy Festival was a joyful celebration of spring, local culture, and community pride and a standout event in Central Texas's festival calendar. Only one thing that could have made it better was to see actual fresh poppies.

Great local event that we were able to attend for the first time since moving in the area…read more Tons and tons of different vendors selling food, arts, crafts, products, services and much more. I loved the setup, putting vendors back to back and not closing off the regular stores in the area. We wandered for a few hours checking out stores and booths, mixing between so we could get relief from the heat. We were able to be more exposed to stores we maybe wouldn't have stopped into before this event. Due to the event spanning multiple blocks it was easy to find street parking that didn't feel super far away from the action. They had a designated area where 6 or 7 food trucks were parked. This was the only area that needs to be setup differently in the future. Long lines and it was confusing who was in line and difficult to stay out of others way or to get through past people waiting in line or for food to be done. We'll definitely be attending again next year and will probably go later in the day to enjoy the free concerts in the square as well.

Super unorganized and a logistical failure. There were no hand wash or sanitize stations! None of…read morethe staff were helpful in helping us navigate the parking lot or even where to go for the concert venue. They closed down floating early both days with no notice and we didn't get a refund despite buying a float pass. Total BS. The shows were good and there was a large variety of food vendors but that's the only good part.

I am extremely unimpressed with the Customer Service Department. I sent a polite email today asking…read moreabout their refund policy and I received a condescending reply from "Ryan" implying that I should be praying for Joe (the Glass Animals drummer) instead of asking questions about refunds.  Their unsolicited morality check was immensely inspiring and uplifting said no one ever.   Secondly, my sister also emailed today to ask a question about the shuttle service that is posted all over their website/emails/newsletters.  That same "Ryan" responded back to her with the uber-helpful, two-word response, "What shuttle?".  Seriously, Ryan?!  You couldn't be less helpful if you tried.   For the record, his follow up email to her was equally rude and unhelpful. I enjoyed Float Fest so much last year that I upgraded my tickets to VIP this year.  Sadly, "Ryan" and your Customer Service Department has soured me on the entire festival so I will not be attending again.   My unsolicited advice to "Ryan" and your Customer Service Team is "Be kind whenever possible.  It is always possible." (Dalai Lama).

My first and last Wassailfest. They tried to duplicate the Christmas Market atmosphere in Europe…read more Very difficult to do for one 3 hour (6-9PM) block of time on a single evening. Instead it was just a mass of people milling around downtown New Braunfels. Very long lines for mini sized paper cups of wassail. Just a mess.

Wonderful time! Great feeling of community and small town warmth. New to this beautiful town and…read moreso happy we made the move!

Most of this food is cheap carnival food, but there is one African American team with a 50 foot…read moresmoker cooking wood smoked whole turkey legs. They are not with the other barbecue competitors but in the festival area. The Schertz Park Commission always puts on good festivals, but they need to offer more upscale food trucks. The bands were great as always. My big complaint was the parking area was about 3 football fields away. They kept the closest spots for the bbq competitors. We are the paying customers.

I had a tremendous amount of fun, got to meet some people I had yet to meet and take food away for…read morea meeting. I got there early, so I had zero problems parking. This crowd was really friendly and I will be back next year. Wowza!

So much fun! This festival packs in a lot for a small town. Music, contests, food, drinks…read more Getting to sample all the chilis is the best. Some of the chilis aren't great, but there are some fantastic cooks in Pflugerville. I'm looking forward to the next one in October.