Have you ever smelled a meadow full of bluebonnets or fence full of honeysuckle? The sweet aroma floats in the breeze and you can tell it’s spring. Driving up and down the highway, your eye moves to the right and left looking at the brilliant Bluebonnets, spots of red Indian Paintbrushes and patches of Primrose. All you need is a camera and plop right in the middle of all of it. Spring in Texas is beautiful. Do you want to see some sights? Look at the list provided.

ITALY
April 23 28th Annual Library Easter Egg Hunt Bring your elementary age children to the library for a big treat. S.M. Dunlap Library is located at 300 W. Main Street. There will be a real bunny on hand to see close up and the party begins at 9am. There will be fun for all.

April 23 Mayor’s Easter Egg Hunt Bring the children and load up the Easter baskets for hopping fun. There will be more than 6000 eggs to find, so everyone’s help is needed. The event starts at 10 am and will be at the Upchurch Ball Fields.

April 24 Easter Sunrise Service The Italy Ministerial Alliance is sponsoring the annual Sunrise Service and it will be located at Dripping Springs with breakfast to follow at Central Baptist Church. In case of inclement weather, Central Baptist will also host the early event at their church. Easter Sunrise Service begins at 7am. Dress warm and bring a chair.

ENNIS
April 1-30 Texas Bluebonnet Trails Includes 40 miles of wildflower trails. Free maps and tour guides are available. Visit their website. Call 972-878-4748 for more information.

April 15-17 Ennis Garden Club Headquarters Tent is open for trail maps and souvenirs in downtown Ennis from 9-5 on NW Main- Trail maps only available at Ennis Garden Club Headquarters Tent.

April 16-17 Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival from 9 am to 5 pm. Trail maps only available at Ennis Garden Club Headquarters Tent on NW Main.

April 16 A John Denver Tribute Concert featuring John’s lead guitar player, Steve Weisberg, with special guest, Roy Rivers at 1:30-3:30 in downtown Ennis at the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival- FREE admission- stage on NW Main Street in Ennis.

April 15-May 8 The Boys Next Door at Ennis Public Theatre. Call 972-878-7529 or go to their website for directions and pricing.

April 16-17 NHRA Lucas Oil Divisional (LODRS) at Texas Motorplex. See their website for more details.

April 23 2nd Annual Concert with Jamie Richards and Friends (Deryl Dodd, Tres Medlock Band, Robert Donahue Band) Doors open at 6:30 at Sokol Activity Center in Ennis.

April 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 Forever Plaid Presented by Ennis Public Theatre. 2705 N. Kaufman St. For all the details, visit their website or call 972-878-4748.

MIDLOTHIAN
April 23, 11am-3pm Easter Round Up at the Hi View Ranch Easter egg hunt, games, prizes, food, hayrides, pony rides, bounce houses and much more! Lots of Items for Sale! Only $2.00 per person (bring your own baskets). Hi View Ranch 420 E FM 875. For More Information Call (214) 564-5573 or email [email protected].

WAXAHACHIE
April 16 Spring Into Health-Health Fair at the Hope Clinic. All departments are represented: Eligibility, Scheduling, Medical-Adult & Pediatric, Dental- Adult & Pediatric, Mental Health- Counseling & Medication Management, Diabetes Education, Parent Education, Benefits Counseling, Prescription Assistance,Other agencies such as WIC, Home Health, YMCA, will be present. Door prizes will awarded throughout the fair. Call 972-268-1802 for more details. Directions: 411 E. Jefferson, drive Hwy 77 to downtown area. Take left (east) on Jefferson Street. Follow it past Dove’s Nest and Sheriff’s Department going east to Hotwell Park (about 6 blocks). Hope Clinic is on left: two big yellow buildings. Free parking at Justice Center parking lot on Jefferson Street.

Scarborough Faire opened April 9 and runs through May 30. If acrobats, jousting, birds of prey, sword fighting, juggling and singing wenches are what you are looking for, this is the place for you. The park opens each day at 10am and closes at 7pm. Located at 2511 FM 66 in Waxahachie. Call 972-938-3247 for ticket prices.

Start early with this one. Make your plans for Annie that runs Friday and Saturday, May 6-8 at Chautauqua Auditorium in Getzendaner Park. Special prices if you purchase early. Local talent is in this and it’s a must see. Order tickets online. See their website. A local contact is Gary Clark at 469-853-1442.

FORT WORTH
April 14-17 Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival Nine blocks of Fort Worth’s historic brick-paved Main Street become a marketplace of food, arts & crafts, and live entertainment. Sundance Square and Main Street. Check their website or call 817-336-2787.

HALLETTSVILLE
April 14-17 Texas State Championship Fiddlers Frolic & Songwriters Serenade Founded in 1871, this contest attracts some of the world’s best fiddlers. Also enjoy a carnival, arts & crafts, cook-offs and the Texas Fiddlers Hall of Fame. Located at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 321 U.S. 77. Visit their website or call 361-798-2311 or 361-798-2662.

DALLAS
April 15-16 Comedy Night at The Muse Featuring Drew Fraser Begins at 9 p.m. at the Clarence Muse Cafe Theatre, 650 S. Griffin St. Check out their website or call 214-743-2440.

April 16 Sinners and Saints Bus Tour Join Rose-Mary Rumbley as she tells tales of gambling, speakeasies and horse racing. Some of the present day locations of some of the sites – like Top o’ Hill Terrace – may surprise you. Reservations required, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. This tour will leave from the Hall of State in Fair Park. See their website or call (214)421.4500 x101.

April 19, 21, 26, 28 Concerts in the Garden Series Features performances by Emerald City on April 19, The Derailers on April 21, Spector’s Collection—’60s British Invasion on April 26, and Eagles tribute band Fast Lane on April 28. Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road. See their website for more information.

April 23 Command Performance Ten of the world’s greatest dance stars come together for a spectacular evening of dance, with classic Pas de Deux alongside awe-inspiring contemporary works. Located at the Winspear Opera House. Call 214-443-1000 for more information.

MCKINNEY
April 15-17 Third Monday Trade Days One of the largest flea markets in North Texas features more than 900 vendors. 4550 W. University. For more information, visit their website or call 972-562-5466.

FLATONIA
April 16 Crawfest Enjoy crawfish and shrimp, live entertainment, dancing and more. Located in the downtown area. To see more details, see their website or call 361-865-3920.

GRAPEVINE
April 16 Easter Egg Hunt at Nash Farm This 36th-annual event includes multiple egg hunts in categories for children ages 4 to 12 years old, plus other kids’ activities. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to noon. Nash Farm, 626 Ball St. Check out their website or call 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3471.

GEORGETOWN
April 16-17 Red Poppy Festival Celebrate the spring arrival of the red poppy flower with more than 125 vendors to browse, a children’s area, car show, parade, live music and a free Saturday night concert and street dance featuring Mark Chesnutt. Historic downtown. Go to their website for more details or call 800-436-8698.

JEFFERSON
April 15-17 Outlaw Nationals Rod Run & Antique Car Show See classic cars, muscle cars and street rods in the brick streets of downtown Jefferson. See their website or call 903-665-7121.

WACO
April 16 Beasts ‘n Blooms & Earth Day Too Features spring and summer plants, children’s activities, and conservation groups discussing composting and conservation efforts. Located at the Cameron Park Zoo. Check out their website or call 254-750-8415.

TEXARKANA
April 16 Gator Easter Egg Hunt Begins at 10:30 a.m. with the arrival of the Easter Alligator on a fire truck to kick off the egg toss and egg hunt. Located at Spring Lake Park. See their website or call 903-798-3978.

MARBLE FALLS
April 14-May 1 Steel Magnolias Presented by Hill Country Community Theatre. The production is presented at 4003 F.M. 2147 W. Please go to their website or call 830-798-8944.

BELTON
April 20 Easter Pageant This outdoor reproduction of the “Christian Passion” is a production directed, costumed and performed by university students. University of Mary Hardin Baylor, 900 College St. See more details on their website or call 254-295-4607.

GARLAND
April 21-May 14 Jesus Christ Superstar Rock opera portrays the last week of the life of Jesus. Patty Granville Arts Center, 300 N. Fifth St. Find more information on their website or call 972-205-2790.

PALESTINE
April 22-23 Peanuts: The Easter Beagle Express Enjoy a relaxing train ride where you can meet Snoopy and enjoy a live reading of the book It’s The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown. During lunch at the Rusk Depot, enjoy Easter egg crafts, take pictures with Snoopy and listen to live music. Texas State Railroad’s Palestine Depot. See more details on their website or call 888-987-2461.

CEDAR PARK
April 17 Spring Egg-Stravaganza Children ages 12 and younger can bring a basket to hunt for more than 79,000 pieces of candy, prizes and goodies. Begins at 2 p.m. Take your photo with the bunny until 2:45 p.m. (bring your own camera). The fun is located at the Elizabeth Milburn Park. See their website or call 512-401-5500.

April 22 At 8 pm selected movies are shown at Elizabeth Milburn Park located at 1901 Sun Chase Blvd. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs as there will be plenty of grass area available. Concessions will be available, but you are welcome to bring a picnic. Glass containers are prohibited. Admission is free. For more information visit this website.

CAMERON
April 29-30 Dewberry Festival Includes a barbecue cook-off, cobbler and cake contests, classic car show, live music, an arts and crafts show, food booths and a youth fishing tournament. Located at Ledbetter Park. For more information, visit their website or call 254-697-4979.

MESQUITE
April 29-30 Real. Texas. Festival. Festival features The All-Texas Music Jam, the Mesquite Championship Rodeo, the Taste of Mesquite Barbecue Competition, Cowboys and Chrome Car Show, carnival rides, food and crafts. Headliners include the Eli Young Band, Stoney Larue and Los Texmaniacs. Located at the Rodeo Center, 1818 Rodeo Drive. For pricing, see their website or call 972-216-6499.

BROWNWOOD
April 30–May 1 Heart of Texas Quilt Show at the Brownwood Coliseum, 500 E. Baker, Brownwood, Texas 76801. Sat, 10am to 5pm and Sun, 12pm to 4pm. Over 100 quilts on display. Optional juried show with viewer’s choice and mayoral awards. Vendors also. Donation quilt to be given away on Sunday. Trunk show and workshop presented by Fran Snay of Burleson. $5.00 at the door, husbands free! See their website or call for info 325-642-1544 or 325-646-3605 or email [email protected].

GONZALES
April 30 Antique Appraisal Day Located at the Courthouse Square in Downtown Gonzales. Dutch Oven Cook-Off Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with judging/serving from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gonzales Pioneer Village Living History Center. Old Jail Museum “Run For It” Begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Old Jail Museum. Downtown Gonzales Historic District. E-mail: [email protected] or call 830-672-6532.

CLEBURNE
April 30 Fifth Saturday Fly In/Classic Car Show 8:30am – 11:00am, Pancake Breakfast, Door Prizes, Fun for the whole family. Free Admission, Donations Accepted. Contact Sarah Herring, 817-641-5456 or go to their website for more details.

Spring is in the air just as is the Red Winged Blackbird or the Mockingbird. They are as beautiful as Texas is. Drive safely.