BURNET
Bluebird
Observe Lady Bird Johnson’s centennial birthday year by attending the thirtieth annual Bluebonnet Festival in Burnet, the “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas,” a town noted for its abundance of the indigo wildflower that was cherished by the first lady.
Downtown, April 12-14, bluebonnetfestival.org
DALLAS
Mr. Americana
Texas troubadour Hayes Carll is winning fans faster than he can book shows, as evidenced by an advance sellout of all four nights of his February residency at a small Austin club, where he workshopped new songs he will likely perform at a two-night stand at the historic Kessler.
Kessler Theater, April 4 & 5, hayescarll.com
FORT STOCKTON
Eat Their Dust
The best way to experience the Big Bend Open Road Race, a round-trip on U.S. 285 between Fort Stockton and Sanderson, is to sign up to be among the almost one hundred volunteer course workers who will have exhaust-pipe-level views of the cars going 200 mph.
Various locations, April 24–27, bborr.com
KILGORE
Drill Bits
The world-famous Kilgore College Rangerettes, whose motto is “Beauty knows no pain,” have reason to kick their toes to seemingly impossible heights at this year’s Revels variety show: it honors the ninetieth birthday of former director Deana Bolton-Covin.
Kilgore College, April 10–13, rangerette.com
LAMESA
Steak Claimed
The story goes that chicken-fried steak was invented in Lamesa a century ago when someone at Ethel’s Home Cooking mistakenly combined two separate orders, but even if that isn’t true, the legend lives on at the Chicken-Fried Steak Festival.
Forrest Park, April 26–28, ci.lamesa.tx.us
