If you choose carefully, the next event you attend might be fun and you could learn something about our Texas culture and heritage. This state offers so many activities, it will be hard to decide. Take a look at what Labor Day weekend has to give you.

ITALY
Football and volleyball high school style. Start your Labor Day weekend with bang and enjoy the varsity on the gridiron and in the gym. Lady Gladiators begin this show at 4:30 against Rice and the JV plays at 6. The Gladiators march onto Willis Field and play against Mart beginning at 7:30. Check the Neotrib calendar for more games scheduled this month.

GRANBURY
Sept 3-4, 6 The Johnny Cash Show Starring Dan Whyms & Original Rock Island Line Band perform at the Granbury Opera House. Call 817-573-9191 for ticket prices and performance times. Also, visit their website.

GRAPEVINE
September 1-6 SummerFest Art, entertainment, activities, culinary events and characters at the Gaylord Texan Resort bring to life the books of Lewis Carroll. If you have questions, please visit their website or call 817-722-9423.

LUCKENBACH
September 5 Labor Day Bash Singer/songwriter Hayes Carll hosts a big party in Historic Luckenbach. There are plenty of special artists to hang out, eat, drink and perform. Call 888-311-8990 for more details or visit their website.

GLEN ROSE
September 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 The Promise Musical drama is based on the life of Jesus Christ. Texas Amphitheatre, 5000 Texas Drive. Look for more details at their website or call 800-687-2661.

LIBERTY
September 4, 11, 18, 25 Liberty Opry Branson-style entertainment includes the Country Legends Show on Sept. 4, the Inspirational All-Gospel Show on Sept. 11, the Fabulous ‘50s Show on Sept. 18 and the Country Western Show on Sept. 25. Go to their website for ticket prices and show times or call 936-336-5830.

AUSTIN
September 1-5 Jersey Boys Tony Award-winning Best Musical tells the story of Rock-and-Roll Hall-of-Famers The Four Seasons. Performance is located at the Bass Concert Hall. Check out their website or call 800-731-7469 for more details.

NEW BERLIN
September 5 59th Annual Sausage Festival Homemade sausage and sauerkraut, live German music, Bingo, Raffle, Live Auction, free Country Dance, Country Store and kid games. Activities are located at the New Berlin Community Club, noon to midnight. E-mail [email protected] or call 830-556-5383.

ALPINE
September 4-6 Big Bend Balloon Bash See more than 20 colorful balloons dance across the Davis Mountains each morning. Sunday evening’s Fire Glow and Concert at Buck Stadium features balloon pilots “playing” their burners in an outdoor concert. Located on Sierra La Rana on Hwy. 118. Their website has more details or call 432-837-7486.

MESQUITE
September 4 Championship Finals at Devil’s Bowl Speedway Features ASCS Outlaw Sprints, USA Modifieds, late models, street stocks, USA Limited Modifieds and more. Activities are located at 1711 Lawson Road. More information can be seen on their website or call 972-222-2421.

AMARILLO
September 4-5 Boys Ranch Rodeo Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch residents compete in events ranging from pole bending and bull riding to stick-horse barrel racing and mutton bustin’. Ranch is on Hwy. 385, 36 miles northwest of Amarillo. Ticket includes barbecue lunch. Please go to their website for more details or call 806-372-2341.

MARFA
September 3-5 Marfa Lights Festival Includes music, street dance, entertainment, arts &crafts vendors and more. Parade is Saturday morning on Main Street. Activities located at the Historic Courthouse Square. Check out their website for more details.

WEST
September 3-5 Westfest Czech polka festival is held each Labor Day weekend. West Fair Grounds. For more information, please go to their website or call 254-826-5058.

DALLAS
September 1-Oct. 17 A Photographer’s Story: Bob Jackson & the Kennedy Assassination Features the work of photojournalist Bob Jackson, who captured an iconic, Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph during the weekend of the Kennedy assassination. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Details can be seen at their website 214-747-6660.

HAMILTON
September 4 Hamilton County Dove Festival Features parade, arts & crafts, live entertainment, softball tournament, carnival, dance, horseshoes tournament, cook-off, rodeo and more. Located at Fair Park. For more information, please go to their website or call 254-386-3216.

BANDERA
September 3-5 Celebrate Bandera Includes a longhorn cattle drive and parade, two nights of bull riding, cowboy mounted shooting, historical re-enactments, Indian powwow, arts & crafts and western swing music. Activities are located Downtown. Please visit their website or call 800-364-3833.

LANCASTER
September 4 Warbirds on Parade See rare WWII aircraft, military vehicles and memorabilia up close. Located at the Lancaster Municipal Airport. Their website has more information.

BEDFORD
September 4-5 Bedford Labor Day Weekend Blues & BBQ Festival Mike Zito, Buddy Whittington, Robert Cray and Taj Mahal will perform. Event includes arts & crafts, barbecue cook-off and a children’s area. On the grounds next to Harris Methodist Hospital, 1613 Hospital Parkway. Visit their website for more information. or call 817-952-2128.

PALESTINE
September 4-5 RailFest 2010 Includes train rides, steam engines on display, live music, kids’ activities and more. Texas State Railroad Palestine Depot. This is a fun activity. Please check out their website or call 888-987-2461 for details.

ATHENS
September 6 Underwater Treasure Hunt Golf balls with numbers on them are tossed into the water, and divers have two hours to find as many as possible. Numbers on the balls correspond to prizes awarded. Athens Scuba Park. Call 903-675-5762 for more information.

CANTON
September 2-5: First Monday Trade Days First Monday Trade Days Park. Phone numbers for information are 877-462-7467 or 903-567-2991.

RICHARDSON
September 3-5 Spectacular Senior Follies Variety show featuring professional performers age 55 and better. Benefits the Meals-on-Wheels program. Located at the Eisemann Theater, see their website or call 972-744-4650.

BRADY
September 3-4 World Championship Barbecue Goat Cook-Off Includes cooking competition plus live music, arts & crafts and food vendors. Located at Richards Park. You can visit their website or call 325-597-3491 for more information.

FREDERICKSBURG
September 4-5 Grape Stomp at Becker Vineyards Have you ever stomped grapes? This is your chance. Barrels cut into half and filled with grapes to stomp, then put your “stomp prints” on a souvenir t-shirt. The festival is complimentary. Hours are Saturday 10:00am – 6:00pm and Sunday noon – 6:00pm. Check their website for more details.

LUBBOCK
You might want to plan ahead for this activity. Four days of the western way of life, cowboys and ranching.

The 22nd Annual National Cowboy Symposium & Celebration September 9-12 at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. Also, included is the National Championship Chuck Wagon Cook-Off. Help celebrate the western way of life. Cowboy poets, musicians, storytellers, artists, historians, authors, editors, publishers, exhibitors, horse trainers, re-enactors, photographers, chuck wagon cooks, and honest-to-goodness cowboys will come together for a fun event. For tickets and information go to their website or call 806-798-7825. Email [email protected].

Traveling the highways and biways of Texas is great way to spend time with the family and your significant other. The ItalyNeotribune wishes you a carefree and healthy Labor Day. Put your seatbelt on and watch for historical markers.