Fall is just around the corner, a great time to explore Texas’ beautiful countryside around Gates Ranch, an exclusive community of family farms. Here are a few fun activities, all just over an hour away from Houston, and a stone’s throw from Gates Ranch.
145th Annual Washington County Fair
September 13-21
Put on your boots and head up the trail to the Washington County Fair, the oldest county fair in the Lone Star State, being held September 13-21. An event for all ages, the Washington County Fair will have activities that include concerts, rodeos, livestock shows, arts and craft shows, special attractions, a carnival, commercial exhibits and more. There’s something there for everyone!
The fairgrounds are located on FM 577 (Blue Bell Rd.) between Texas Highway 36 and 105, and provide ample parking for all visitors.
For more information about the Washington County Fair, visit www.washingtoncofair.com.
Marburger Farm Fall Antique Show – October 1-5
Round Top Antique Festival – October 2-5
Search for a rare collectible or find the perfect piece to decorate your home at Gates Ranch at one of the largest antique events in Texas. During the first week of October, hundreds of antique dealers will be located along a 12-mile stretch between U.S. Highway 290 south to Warrenton, Texas. For a list of all of the shows, please visit www.antiqueweekend.com.
There are lots of shows to attend, including these two “Texas big” shows:
The Marburger Farm Fall Antique Show, a fan favorite for antique shoppers, is slated for October 1-5 and kicks off with Early Buying Tuesday. A favorite source for antiques for more than a dozen years, this amazing outdoor show features more than 350 dealers from across the United States and the world. Located on 43 sprawling acres, more than 350 dealers fill 10 large tents and 12 historical buildings to present an extraordinary range of antiques including architectural, English, Continental, Asian, industrial, garden, Americana, painted furniture, fine art, early Texas, mid-century modern, French, silver, jewelry, textiles, paintings and prints. Go here for more information: www.roundtop-marburger.com.
46th Annual Round Top Antique Festival is coming October 2-5. If you like antique shopping, this is one event you do not want to miss! The festival’s best-of-the-best exhibitors search all over the country and worldwide to find those perfect items to show their repeating and new clientele. Please visit www.roundtoptexasantiques.com for more information.
Scarecrow Festival in Historic Chappell Hill
October 12-13
Escape the city for a weekend get-away to historical Chappell Hill for the 37th Annual Chappell Hill Scarecrow Festival on Saturday and Sunday, October 12-13.
Along with the sights of festive scarecrows and pumpkins adorning Chappell Hill’s historic homes, the Scarecrow Festival features more than 250 exhibitors showcasing home décor, holiday items, gardening, jewelry, clothing and much more. Stroll the streets of Chappell Hill and sample delicious country-style food, listen to live entertainment and take a tour of the historic community. A special children’s activity corner provides pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, barrel train and more.
The Scarecrow Festival is open on Saturday, October 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, October 13, from noon to 5 p.m. The festival is hosted by Chappell Hill Historical Society. For more information, visit www.chappellhillmuseum.org.
Unity Theatre in Brenham Presents “You Can Never Tell”
September 26 – October 13, 2013
Considered George Bernard Shaw’s most light-hearted play, this sparkling comedy of errors is a multi-generational romp of mistaken identity and ever-changing relationships. Set in the 1890s, a seaside resort in England plays host to a set of anarchic twins, their stunning sister and their highly unusual feminist mother. The Clandon family has just returned from 18 years in Madeira and the children have decided it’s time that their mother tells them who their father is, or was. What follows is a classic comedy with chance encounters, confused identities and a reunion of a long-separated family – but not without a wrinkle or two! Together with a fledgling dentist and a curmudgeonly businessman, they are helped through the shenanigans by a worldly-wise waiter, William, who dispenses his wisdom with the phrase “You Never Can Tell.”
The Unity Theatre presents 12 performances from September 26 to October 13. The performance hall is located at 300 Church St. in Brenham. For the performance schedule and to purchase tickets, please visit www.unitybrenham.org or call 979-830-8358.
While you’re in Washington County, we invite you to take a private tour of Gates Ranch. Beauty, serenity and privacy – it’s all yours and only about a one-hour drive from Houston. We’ve sold 50% of the family farms in Phases I and II, so we encourage you to visit us soon. For more information about Gates Ranch or to schedule your personal tour, please call Cyndee Smith with Oldham Goodwin Group at 713-816-3407 or visit www.gatesranchtx.com.
