Texas Trotter

  What’s the greatest thing about living in Las Vegas?    If I had to put a label on it, I’d say that it definitely has something to do with the absolutely stellar party atmosphere! And where can you go wrong with such great weather, great people, and just an overall great time? That’s what Las Vegas works best at—providing all its residents with a welcoming atmosphere they can always enjoy.   Running from Friday, April 22 through Saturday, April 23, the Great Vegas Festival is a knockout event you’re not going to want to miss! This event showcases some excellent brews as you party with friends to enjoy some amazing craft beer, on top of platters of delicious cuisine for all! There will be chefs, mixologists, a VIP lounge, and more! Party the night away in style with plenty of entertainment, atmosphere, and good times all around.   Las Vegas has always been one of my favorite places to live, especially when it comes to enjoying a slice of quality living and c...

Regardless of where you live in the state of Texas, chances are you’ve probably heard of the amazing Renaissance Festival that takes place every year!  For Houston residents who only live around 50-ish minutes away from the event’s main location, there’s a new reason to be excited because this year, the Texas Renaissance Festival is back and hotter than ever! From Oktoberfest to All Hallows Eve to Barbarian Invasions, each week features a brand new theme for guests to enjoy!  Running all the way to November 28th, it’s the perfect time to gather together with family and friends to enjoy some of the best sights, sounds, and brews! And don’t forget about the food? Where would we be without a massive Renaissance Festival turkey leg gracing our gullets as we explore the best shops, costumes, and merchandise opportunities around? I have fond memories of attending in costume with my friends, along with having some excellent opportunities to purchase some one-of-a-kind items and gear!...

You know what they say about Vegas--there’s always a party going on! This September, running for its eleventh consecutive year, Las Vegas will be hosting its annual iHeartRadio Music Festival! This two-day event features some of the hottest names in the music industry, regardless of genre!  Once you reserve your spot at the T-Mobile Arena, the Festival will include two nights of non-stop heart-pumping hits, world premieres, and mega musical collaborations you won’t want to miss! Plus, you’ll have the chance to see some of music’s biggest emerging artists on the scene, adding to an experience filled with adventure, spectacle, and the true spirit of music itself.  While plenty of Covid-based precautions will be set in place, this event definitely looks to be a huge event that any worthy Las Vegas resident will absolutely love. Plus, there will additionally be plenty of VIP opportunities as well! Some of the biggest names being featured so far include Billie Eilish, Coldplay, Jou...

Ready for an exciting way to spice up the Fall season in Houston? Look no further! On October 2nd, starting at 11:00 AM, Houston is hosting its amazing Creole Heritage Festival event! This awesome opportunity will feature a full day of live music, outstanding food, restaurants, food trucks, dancing, a special Mardi Gras punch, an open bar, Kids Zone, and more!  For anyone who loves the taste of delicious Creole food, this is the perfect opportunity to capture a true sense of culture, heritage, and history as guests gather together to celebrate as one. Plus, it all takes place at Midtown Park, one of Houston’s top areas for festivals and fun! There will even be VIP opportunities as well, featuring special guest Chef Gason, The NOLA Chef, demonstrating his skills at creating savory Creole treats for everyone!  Houston’s festival outings are definitely a sight to behold, especially since there’s something new going on throughout the Fall and Winter seasons! You can expect a wide ...

For all you Austin creepy-crawly lovers, I’ve got some great news for you all! The city is getting hyped for its local Bat Fest, an exciting occasion bound to take flight as Austinites marvel at 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerging from under the bridge at dusk. Yes, you heard me. TONS of bats. But don’t worry, there’s more to it than that--there will be plenty of amazing party-fueled activities to enjoy including live stage music, over 50 arts and crafts vendors, food and drinks, children’s activities, a bat costume contest, and more!  For parents with kids that love animals, this is definitely the perfect event for a great time while letting your little ones get excited over the beauty of nature. And if you’re just a general fan of bats, what could be better than a whole festival dedicated to them? Not going to lie, bats are pretty rad, especially when it comes to their prevalence in popular culture, from Dracula to Batman. So why not celebrate them while also getting th...

Las Vegas is already a pretty exciting city to live in, what with its thriving nightlife, excellent casinos, affordable living, and fine weather.  With that said, residents within the Las Vegas area have an even bigger reason to celebrate with a brand new upcoming music festival they won’t want to miss! Running from April 24th to April 25th, the annual City of Lights Jazz and R&B Festival will take place, sending guests sprawling as Grammy-recognized artists pump up the volume in a day-long celebration of the best jazz and R&B musicians out there!  Located in the show-stopping setting of the Government Amphitheater near downtown and the Las Vegas Strip, there will be plenty of room to dance, party, and take advantage of the best craft and food vendors within the Jazz village! And with its relaxed, green grass atmosphere, there will be plenty of space to relax without fear of Covid-19 contagion. Just make sure to wear your mask! Las Vegas isn’t called the party city for...

After being cooped up inside for months on end, have you ever stopped and wished for some much-needed taste and atmosphere added to your schedule?  Not that you’re not already a true showman of the arts and modern sensibilities, of course! But when it comes to great things to do around the Houston area, you’ll find that there’s no finer place to be than the Texas Wine & Art Festival!  The Texas Wine & Art Festival is a FREE-ADMISSION event located in the Old Town Spring area and features some wonderful attractions and exhibits. Running from April 10th to April 11th, you and your family and friends can experience a deliciously tasteful adventure at this sunny market event! Guests can enjoy some exquisite samples of wine from some of the best Texas wineries in town with the opportunity to purchase a bottle of their favorites! Talented Texas artists will be there to showcase their lovely displays of photography, clothing, hand-made jewelry, paintings, crafts, and more! An...

I’ll confess--strawberries are easily my favorite fruit, as well as a truly tasty topping for all the best desserts. For San Antonio Residents, the nearby-Poteet Strawberry Festival is slated to begin! Running from April 9th through April 11th, guests can enjoy the fresh smells of the very best home-grown strawberries in the region. The Poteet Strawberry Festival has been a local staple for over 75 years, acting as a critical source of funding for scholarships, local farmers, non-profits, and small businesses.  At the festival, guests can enjoy live entertainment, outdoor concerts, rodeo performances, and of course the showcasing of some truly delicious strawberries. Kids under 12 are admitted free of charge, a huge benefit for those of you with families. Over 100 different groups will be featured in the festival for judging, winners being provided high-demand scholarship opportunities. It’s just a great way to enjoy some quality entertainment, as well as spread some love for the m...

When there’s so much negativity in the world, it’s nice to take the time to kick back and enjoy the more pleasant things in life, including our relationships with each other and our fellow Houstonians.  Running from March 26th to March 28th , Sugar Land Town Square is proudly featuring the popular Heart to Market pop-up! This exciting, warm-hearted spring market is focused on families and supporting women-led businesses, featuring more than 30 local vendors, small shops, and specialty brands dedicated to mothers and families all over the Houston community. Guests can enjoy a truly excellent selection of spring shopping items, from home decor, paper goods, sweets, treats, and more!  For Houston residents looking for something family-friendly and festive, this is definitely the event for you! Participating vendors will include Margarita Mercantile, The Everyday Bakeshop, Cuclie Baby, LH Candle Studio, Mostly Chocolate, A Pop of Literacy, C Shel Shop, and more! And the greatest ...

Every day is a beautiful day in Austin!  One of Austin’s greatest perks is that it is more than often full of excellent sunny weather. And what could be better than spending some quality time with family and friends while enjoying a relaxing day flying a kite out on the green? The ABC Kity Fest is one of Austin’s most popular traditions. In 2021, it is happily celebrating its 92nd year, complete with a city-wide celebration of Austin’s parks in partnership with the Austin Parks Foundation. Austin residents are encouraged to go enjoy some fresh air outside and fly a kite at their neighborhood park, taking special Covid-19 safety precautions with proper face coverings and maintaining safe social distancing from others as well.  Those who are participating in kite-flying are encouraged to share photos and videos of their experience with the ABC Kite Fest by tagging them on Instagram and Facebook. Some of the best parks to be during the festival are Bartholomew District Park, Dick...

Austin always has something going on when it comes to good eating! And on Saturday, March 6th, Austin residents can now enjoy some delicious food, tasty brews, and awesome music at the Ranger Cattle Chili Fest!  So what’s the sitch? The Ranger Cattle Chili Fest is a culmination of a ton of incredible things to see, do, and, most importantly, eat ! There will be: A chili tasting from Austin’s top chefs Live music Free cocktails from Jim Beam Free beer from Independence Brewery Cow petting and feeding Dog-friendly accommodations Goat roping And more! Those of you with families will find that there will be plenty of activities for the little ones to enjoy and you can even bring man’s best friend along for the ride! And, of course, who could forget getting the chance to taste some truly delicious chili and alcohol? It really adds the full package of satisfying your cravings for adventure as well as your palate! Plus, if you’re an apartment resident living on a budget at some of my favo...

60 years! That’s how long Six Flags Over Texas has served as a staple of fast-paced entertainment within the Dallas and Arlington area. That’s why, on January 23rd, 24th, and 30th, Six Flags Over Texas will present the Fire & Ice Festival to celebrate the park’s 60th anniversary season! The Fire & Ice Festival will feature a wide variety of great things to see and do, including The Frosty Snowhill, four live performance stages, the Fire and Ice Marketplace, the Mystic Acres Winter Wonderland, and a Dancing Fountain Show at Texas Star Mall. And to put the icing on the cake, guests will get to enjoy the glow of millions of twinkling lights at the Fire and Ice Light Show every night after dark, along with fireworks.  While I’ve covered Six Flags Over Texas before, this is the perfect place for all Dallas and Arlington residents to enjoy if they like high-speed adventure and family-friendly fun. And now as the park is celebrating its 60th anniversary, there will be plenty of op...

Sometimes, whenever I’m stuck inside due to Covid, I just want a good old-fashioned blast of excitement from time to time. I think we all forget just how much this entire year has de-socialized us from each other. Of course, it’s still possible to find some fun in Texas while still taking special precautions.  The AT&T Performing Arts Center and Reliant are celebrating the holidays in style with its amazing Reliant Lights program. This program will thrill audiences with the spirit of the holidays underneath the glow of the stars with a newly-reimagined outdoor venue in the Dallas Arts District. Guests will get the chance to enjoy 550,000 LED lights illuminating through the Winspear Opera House, Wyly Theatre, and the trees of Sammons Park. Stroll across the campus with breathtaking holiday imagery and share memories with your friends and loved ones that you’ll never forget! There will also be stylish holiday projections, family photo-ops, and even evening pop-up performances fro...