February may seem to some to be a dreary month. It is, after all, the last full month of winter. However, all across Texas, a variety of festivals, events and attractions will help visitors forget the winter blues.
Founded in 1950, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is one of the largest events of its kind in the United States. A huge stock show, live professional rodeo and great entertainment combine to make this one of the best entertainment bargains around. This year's SA Rodeo will be Jan. 31 - Feb. 17.
With eagle spotting tours and special birding tours on Lake Fork and Lake Tawakoni, the Emory Eagle Festival has been an annual event for over a decade. The Eagle Festival is held the second weekend in February each year.
Set for Feb. 14 and held at the International Festival-Institute in Round Top, the International Guitar Festival features a variety of a musicians as well as the Round Top Philharmonic.
Set to kick off Feb. 13 and run through Feb. 24, Galveston's 2009 Mardi Gras is a 12 day, 11 night party prior to lent. Not as famous as Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans or Mobile, the Galveston event is nonetheless packed with tradition and, more importantly, packed with fun.
Held in the Capitol City, the AT&T Austin Marathon is one of the most scenic races in Texas, with nearly half the course being run along Town Lake and the Colorado River. The rolling hills of Austin also make this one of the more challenging races offered in the Lone Star State. This year's race will be Feb. 15.
Staged each February since 1938, Brownsville's Charro Days is a weeklong, traditional Mexican "pachanga," with parades, dances and a variety of fun events for the entire family. The 2009 edition is set to begin Feb. 22 - March 1.
Galveston isn't the only Texas coastal community with Mardi Gras festivities. Just up the coast in Port Arthur - near the Louisiana border - Feb. 19-22 will be the Southeast Texas Mardi Gras Weekend - A Family Affair. Featuring parades, concerts, street entertainment, carnival rides, fireworks and more, Port Arthur's Southeast Texas Mardi Gras Weekend promises to be fun for the whole family.
Ft. Worth's annual Cowtown Marathon is actually six events in one: USA T&F certified marathon and half-marathon, three-person relay marathon, USA T&F certified 10k and 5k for adults, and a USA T&F certified 5k for kids. This year's race is scheduled for Feb. 28.
