Things To Do This Weekend In Houston Include Festivals, Shows And Events For Everyone

There is hardly ever a loss for finding something fun, interesting and family friendly in Houston, and Patch has your list in Houston, and other parts of Texas. Some of the events are freebies, and some have an admission fee, but all will be fun.

• The Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas North American Championship: The Woodlands Waterway. April 22 7 a.m.- 11p.m.: If you love a good race then this is right up your alley. Dozens of elite athletes will embark on a two mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 marathon on Saturday. There’s no admission, so feel free to stop and cheer on these ironman athletes in The Woodlands. Click this link for more information.

Image: Grayskullduggery via Flickr

• Shipley Do-Nuts Dash at 8th Wonder Brewery: This race will give anyone a sugary high. It’s the third annual event benefits Kids’ Meals, a Meals-on-Wheels organization that’s focused on ending hunger among young children in poverty. The dash is a two-miler with doughnut-themed obstacles, and an after party with free doughnuts, milk (courtesy of Borden Milk, and adult beverages from 8th Wonder Brewery brewery. Lots of family fun. It all starts 9 a.m.-noon. $30. 8th Wonder Brewery, 2202 Dallas St., Houston. Click here for more info.

• San Jacinto Day Festival: Saturday, April 22, La Porte, Texas: Booming cannons, cracking musket fire, thundering hooves and desperate battle cries resound across the San Jacinto Battleground as hundreds of history reenactors recreate the events leading up to Texas winning its independence at the decisive Battle of San Jacinto. This dramatic battle reenactment is the centerpiece of the admission-free San Jacinto Day Festival, held on the grounds surrounding the San Jacinto Monument. Sponsored by the San Jacinto Museum of History, Texas Parks & Wildlife and the San Jacinto Volunteers, the festival is a full day of music, entertainment, food, games and fun set amidst living history.

Image: US Air Force

• 79th Annual Galveston County Fair & Rodeo: April 21-29, Galveston County Fairgrounds, Hitchcock, Texas: The gates open at 4 p.m., with the kids pedal tractor pull, and the putting zoo, but there’s a lot more including carnival rides, livestock show and sale, bull riding, mutton busting, music from Cory Morrow, Joe Diffie, The Hometown Boys, Roger Creager, Rick Trevino, and Bag of Donuts. The fun continues through April 29. Admission for each event may vary, so click the link for event times and admission.

• Texas Rockin Seafood Festival: April 21-23, Gulf Greyhound Park, 1000 FM 2004 Rd. in La Marque, TX. Celebrate the rich bounty, cultural energy, and epicurean diversity of the Texas Gulf with food, fun, and music at the Texas Rockin' Seafood Festival! Fresh seafood will be served up by the ton in every imaginable style and ethnic flavor along with traditional food, and a dash of Cajun spice with $3.99 lb crawfish. Entertainment includes bands, world class carnival, novelty acts, contests, vendors, and more. Tickets are available online at http://texasseafoodfestival.com/tickets/

• 5th Annual Wine Fair Cy-Fair: April 22: Wine Fair Cy-Fair, Cypress Village Station @ 25222 nU.S. 290 in Cypress, Tx: If a little wine tasting or beer sampling is on the schedule then check out the Wine Fair Cy-Fair this weekend. There will be 250 for sampling, along with craft beer and food for nibbling. There will also be live music, artists and vendors. 5:30-8:30 p.m. $25-$75.. www.winecyfair.com

• 5th annual West Houston Food Truck Festival: Saturday, April 22, 12-4 p.m. Admission: Free. Temple Sinai, 13875 Brimhurst Dr. This festival features food trucks (of course) and includes live music, wine and beer will be on site along with bounce houses, face painting and balloon art for children. www.facebook.com/West-Houston-Food-Truck-Festival-147861875373070

Image: Leon Bocard via Flickr

• Damian’s Meatball Brawl: Sunday, April 23, 1-4 p.m. 3011 Smith St., Houston: Guests are invited to enjoy an afternoon of wine tastings and musical entertainment, while eating their way through a lineup of top chefs’ most innovative meatball dishes. Tickets are $55

On the Road? Here are a few other stops along your way this weekend:

• Cotton Gin Festival - Burton, Texas
• Dayton Ole Tyme Days - Dayton, Texas
• Wimberley Arts Fest - Wimberley, Texas
• Earth Day Texas - Dallas, Texas
• Fiesta Oyster Bake - San Antonio, Texas
• 44th Annual Fiesta Arts Fair - San Antonio, TX
• Denton Redbud Fest - Denton, Texas

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Image: bill lapp via Flickr