School starts full swing for Italy ISD on Monday, August 24. Probably for most school districts in the area. Have you done everything you wanted to do this summer? Seen the sights? Maybe this is the last weekend for awhile for some traveling. Take a moment and read what our great state has in store for the local traveler.

ITALY
The Lady Gladiators have begun their pre-season Volleyball games. The next one at home is Saturday, August 22 beginning at 10:00. Remember to pencil in the next home football game on your calendar. The Gladiators will play Maypearl on August 28 at home beginning at 7:30. The JV will travel on August 27 and play the Panthers.

ENNIS
Galaxy Drive-In Theatre is open 7 nights a week, all year, all weather. You can see two movies, double-feature on each screen. Prices are $6 per person (per screen), ages 5 through 11-$2 and under 5 are free. The theatre opens at 6:30 pm (come early for a good parking spot) and movies start Sun-Thurs 8:30 pm. Fri-Sat 9:00 pm. Remember, to purchase food, snacks and drinks from their concession stand. No outside food is allowed. They are located at 5301 N. IH45. Check out their website.

ARLINGTON
Six Flags Over Texas is having a special event on 8/21-8/23. Six Flags is sponsoring Backpack Back to School Bash. There is a special promotional ticket discount ($19.99) during these dates in August, for guests who bring in a backpack for the Tarrant Area Food Bank’s BackPacks for Kids program. Any other time, guests pay kid’s price of $31.00.

Back to School Rally will be held at the Texas Rangers Youth Ballpark on August 23 from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Fill a backpack with school supplies and gain entrance to the rally free. Check out their website.

GLEN ROSE
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center has 1800 (about 9.5 miles) acres to explore and drive through. It takes about 3 hours to complete. There are approximately 1100 exotic, threatened and endangered animals that roam freely on this land. This is free-range management. About half-way through, you can get out of your vehicle and visit the Children’s Animal Center, get a snack at the Overlook Cafe and just look at the view. Bring your camera because you will see southern black rhino, antelope, oryx, giraffe, ocelot, zebras, bongos and red-crowned crane just to name a few. For address, pricing and times, go to their website or call 254-897-2960. Watch out for the ostrich!

ATHENS
MDA Rodeo August 20-22 includes kids rodeo on Thursday and concerts on Friday & Saturday. Held at the Henderson County Fair Park Complex. Call 903-489-2652 for more information.

DALLAS
Mamma Mia plays until August 30. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years before. Smash Broadway musical based on the hit songs of ABBA. Located at the Music Hall at Fair Park, 909 First Ave. See their website for more details or call 214-565-1116.

Ray Wylie Hubbard is at the Granada Theater on August 22. For ticket prices and times, go to their website or call 214-824-9933.

DENTON
81st Annual North Texas State Fair will be August 21-29. This features a world championship rodeo, music, carnival rides and games, fiddling contest, petting zoos and bbq cook-offs. Held at the North Texas Fairground at 2217 N. Carroll Blvd. Go to their website for more details. Their phone number is 940-387-2632.

FORT WORTH
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra is held at the Bass Performance Hall on August 28-30. You can call 817-665-6000 or visit their website for more details.

HONEY GROVE
Bugtussle Trek is held August 22. This is a vintage vehicle show on the square. You can call 903-378-7211 or visit their website.

WACO
14th Annual Margarita & Salsa Festival will be held at the Heart O’Texas Fair complex at 4601 Bosque Blvd on August 29. Star lineups include Corey Smith, Randy Rogers Band, Cross Canadian Ragweed and Kevin Fowler. General admission is $27 in advance or $32 the day of. Gates open at 5:00pm and the concert begins at 6:00pm. Go to the website for more details or call 254-772-9303.

AUSTIN
Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival is at Waterloo Park which is 12th and Red River on August 30. There is a hot sauce contest, as well as a live music lineup. Call 512-454-5766 or go to their website for more information.

Bat Fest is August 22. Features arts & crafts, music, food, bat watching, children’s activities and educational displays. See more than 30 bands on two stages. Congress Avenue Bridge, 100 S. Congress. For more information, go to their website or call 512-441-9015.

KERRVILLE
Kerr Market Day is on August 22. More than 75 vendors from the Hill Country offer arts & crafts, woodwork items, metalcraft, quilts, toys, native plants and produce, jams and jellies. Located at the Kerr County Courthouse Grounds. Go to their website for more details or call 830-895-7962.

SAN ANTONIO
Crosby, Stills & Nash will be at the Municipal Auditorium on August 27. Call 800-745-3000 or visit their website for more details.

BEAUMONT
Downtown Jazz Fest is August 22. Call 409-838-3435, ext 1 or visit their website for more information.

CORPUS CHRISTI
Live Music Bay Cruise August 22 and 29. Call Captain Clark’s Flagship at 361-884-8306.

HOUSTON
Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro with the Houston Ebony Opera on August 28-29. The opera will held at the Miller Outdoor Theater. Call 281-373-3386 or look up their website for more details.

CASTROVILLE
127th Annual St. Louis Day Celebration is Koenig Park on August 23. Celebrate the feast of St. Louis IX of France. Giant barbecue beef and Alsatian-style sausage dinner, bingo, horseshoes and many other games are featured. Live entertainment, silent auction and a quilt raffle. Call 830-931-2826 or visit their website for more information.

FREDERICKSBURG
Gillespie County Fair is at the County Fairgrounds on August 20-23. This features livestock, agricultural and home skills display. Includes horse racing, concerts, dances, carnival and midway. The parade begins at 10:00 am. Check out their website or call 830-997-2359.

Harvest Wine Trail on August 21-23. 28-30 Enjoy special events, tastings, tours, food and live entertainment. Twenty-four Hill Country wineries participate. Their website has more information or call 866-621-9463.

OZONA
August 22 17th Annual Davy Crockett Festival Includes a parade, arts & crafts vendors, live entertainment and a dance featuring Brandan Dobbs. Located at the Fair Park. E-mail: [email protected] 325-392-2547.

There is some swimming in your future. Are you interested in a nice, cool dip in the blue deep? Check out these cozy watering holes in the Hill country.

Lake Buchanan
Canyon of the Eagles Lodge & Nature Park. Call 512-334-2070 or visit their website for more information.

Vanishing Texas River Cruise (at Canyon of the Eagles) For more details, go to their website or call 800-474-8374.

Fall Creek Vineyards is in Tow, Texas. Their website has more details or call 325-379-5361.

Inks Lake
Inks Lake State Park call for reservations at 512-389-8900 or you can visit state of Texas park’s website.

Lake LBJ
Horseshoe Bay Resort call 877-611-0112 or visit their website.

LBJ Yacht Club and Marina is located at Horseshoe Bay. Call 830-693-9172 or visit their website.

Lake LBJ Resort and Marina is located at Sunrise Beach. all 325-388-9393 or visit their website.

Lake Marble Falls
Lake Marble Falls parks has a website for you to peruse.

Lake Travis
Informaton on the Travis County parks can be found in this website.

Windy Point Park is located in Austin. Their phone number is 512-266-3337 or check out their website.

Volente Beach Waterpark is located in Leander. Their phone number is 512-258-5109 or visit their website.

The Oasis can be reached at 512-266-2442 or visit their website.

Lake Austin
Emma Long Metropolitan Parks at 1706 City Park Rd. Call 512-346-1831 or visit their website.