Whether it’s Waxahachie or Waco, you can check this calendar for things to do around the state of Texas this weekend.

Italy

The Italy Gladiators travel to Hubbard on Friday, October 17. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. The Lady Gladiators travel to Blum on Saturday, Oct 18 and the games begin at 10 a.m.

Waco

Waco Start Heart Walk 2008 This event will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 18. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Getterman Softball Stadium at Baylor University. The annual 5K non-competitive walking event raises money for the American Heart Association. For more information, call 254-644-7057.

Down On The Bayou This event will benefit Youth Connection of Waco. From 7-11 p.m. on October 18 at The Palladium, 729 Austin Ave. Activities will include a Cajun food festival, cash bar, dancing to the sounds of “Crawfish” — a lively Cajun band and a silent auction. Tickets are $50 per person or $350 for a table of eight. Call 254-202-8480.

Waxahachie

Sims Library Fall Festival On Saturday, October 18, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at 515 W. Main Street. Please join us for crafts, refreshments and pumpkin painting or carving. Adults must accompany children for pumpkin carving. One free pumpkin per family. Call 972-937-2671 for more information.

Midlothian

Fall Festival and Downhill Dash on October 18. There will be family fun, food, crafts, children’s activities, live entertainment. This will be held at the MISD Multi-Purpose Stadium from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be a Midlothian Lone Star Auto Show 1-4 p.m. Open Microphone Talent Scout — first come, first show basis 5-6 p.m. Josh Atilano — acoustic guitar and vocal 6-7:30 p.m. 7:30-9 p.m. Kraig Parker, internationally recognized Elvis impersonator.

Ennis

Autumn Days in Ennis Fall Festival, October 18 in downtown Ennis 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy children’s activities such as free caricature artist, free pumpkin decorating, free petting zoo, free face painting, inflatable obstacle course, free fall photos, pony rides and balloon artist. Also, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. enjoy the Railroad Museum Fish Fry. It will be held on the parking lot between the Ennis Convention and Visitors Bureau and Ennis Railroad Museum. For more information, go to www.visitennis.org or call 972-878-4748.

Frisco

Storytelling Festival October 17-18. Go to City Hall Plaza at Frisco Square. www.friscofest.org or call 972-292-5614.

Texas Monthly suggests…

Austin

Austin Film Festival Screenwriters finally got a little respect from the general TV-addicted public when last year’s writers’ strike wreaked havoc on both boob-tube lineups and silver-screen offerings. But this festival has been celebrating the writers behind our favorite shows and movies for 15 years now, and the momentum is cresting. Prepare yourself for eight days of screenings and panels with appearances from top writers, directors, producers, and other industry insiders, including Sam Shepard (this year’s Distinguished Screenwriter awardee) and Greg Daniels (winner of the Outstanding Television Writer award). With more than 190 films being shown around town, you’ll be able to more than make up for last year’s lost viewing time. October 16-23. Film pass $42-$95. For schedule and additional passes call or go to austinfilmfestival.com. Various locations (512-478-4795).

Dallas

Trinity River Audubon Center Built on a former illegal dump site, this center focuses on improving the environment through educational hands-on exhibits, miles of nature viewing trails, the Children’s Discovery Garden, and sustainable building features, including a vegetated roof. Situated within the 6,000-acre Great Trinity Forest, which is the largest urban hardwood forest in the U.S., the center provides direct access to a myriad of outdoor activities, including nature viewing, hiking, picnicking, and canoeing. Opening weekend October 18 and 19; free. Open Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission $6, children $3. trinityriveraudubon.org 6500 S. Loop 12 (214-370-9967).

James McMurtry October 18. The Granada Theater. www.granadatheater.com or 214-824-9933.

El Paso

Celebration of Our Mountains What began as a modest series of student field trips more than 20 years ago has erupted into 50-plus tours, hikes, and birding excursions, several of which spill over into New Mexico and Mexico; six weeks’ worth of see-for-yourself hikes, bike rides, driving tours, and overnight jaunts are scheduled to take place in the beautiful scenery in the largest sustained mountain range in Texas. Through November 9. For schedule and prices call or go to celebrationofourmountains.org. Various locations (915-542-1422).

Fort Worth

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame This 33,000-square-foot space honors the legendary women who exemplify the pioneer spirit of the American West. Through October 26: Heart of the West Art Exhibition — 39 of the top female Western artists from 10 states will be represented at this exhibition. Open Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 11:45 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission $8, senior citizens and children 3-12 $7, 2-and-under free. cowgirl.net 1720 Gendy (817-336-4475 or 800-476-3263).

NASCAR Dickies 500 Sprint Cup Race Weekend at the Texas Motor Speedway. www.texasmotorspeedway.com or call 817-215-8500.

Royse City

FunFest October 18. Main Street, downtown www.roysecitychamber.com or 972-636-5000.

Terrell

The RAF in Texas Fly-in October 17-18. Number 1 British Flying Training School Museum. www.bftstexas.com or call 972-524-1714 or 972-524-4322.

Whitesboro

Peanut Festival October 18. www.whitesborotexas.com or call 903-564-3331.

Houston

Bayou City Art Festival Let your eye be fooled by the M.C. Escher-inspired work of featured artist J.D. Hillberry, whose trompe l’oeil drawings will have you squinting to see his ingenious — and often humorous — details. Some 300 artists participate in this juried festival, so wear comfy walking shoes lest a debilitating blister cut your day short. Take notes at the various demonstrations (everything from origami to guitar-making) and let your young Picassos hone their talents in the Creative Zone. October 18-19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. General admission $10, children 12-and-under free. bayoucityartfestival.com Hermann Square, Smith & McKinney, and Tranquility Park, Smith & Bagby (713-521-0133).

San Antonio

Break! The Urban Funk Spectacular Some of the world’s finest urban artists will take you through an electrifying exhibition of movement — break dancing, popping and locking, bucket drumming, and more — all set to beats provided by live deejays and master percussionists. October 18 at 7:30. $17 to $37. artssanantonio.com Trinity University campus, Laurie Auditorium, 715 Stadium Dr (210-226-2891).

Grapevine

Butterfly Flutterby Jump into a sea of brilliant orange and black as Grapevine celebrates the annual migration of the monarch butterfly from Canada to Mexico. Join your winged friends at the start of their journey with butterfly releases, a Gossamer Parade, butterfly exhibits, gardening seminars, and interactive butterfly arts and crafts. October 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. grapevinetexasusa.com Downtown Grapevine (817-410-3185).

Jefferson

Texas Bigfoot Conference Yes, you read that correctly. There is indeed a convention of Bigfoot believers in this great state. And they swear they can make you shake a little in your boots after hearing speeches from experts (including cryptozoologists, archeologists, a police officer, an investigator, and more) about the existence of the large, hairy creature. October 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $20. texasbigfoot.org Jefferson High School, 1 Bulldog Dr (877-529-5550).