In the beautiful countryside of Washington County, spring is a wonderful time for fun activities and gorgeous bluebonnets. Many of these happenings are all an hour away from Houston and a stone’s throw from Gates Ranch, an exclusive community of family farms.
Texas Bluebonnet Wine and Cheese Trail
March 28-29, April 4-5 and April 11-12
Celebrate Texas wildflowers and wine with our favorite local winery. The Texas Bluebonnet Wine & Cheese trail is scheduled for three weekends in late March or early April. Guests can enjoy a select pairing of two wines and a specially crafted cheese appetizer at each stop. At their first winery, guests will receive a 12 oz. commemorative Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail wine glass to use and keep for all of the tastings. Ticket holders who make it to all seven wineries will also receive a Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail two stage wine opener.
Guests can start at the winery of their choice. Trail tickets are valid for one visit at each of the wineries over the three weekends of the trail regardless of when tickets are purchased. Ticket holders have six days over three weekends to visit all seven wineries. The official hours for this event are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday for each trail weekend.
Tickets are $30 for one person and $50 for two. To learn about participating wineries and to purchase tickets, please visit www.texasbluebonnetwinetrail.com.
11th Annual Head for the Hills Bike Ride – Starts in Chappell Hill
March 28
Whether you’re training for the MS150 or just enjoy cycling, the 11th Annual Head for the Hills Bike Ride will take you through beautiful Washington County and its challenging rolling hills. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Washington County, the ride is scheduled for March 28, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are three course selections: Short – 26 miles, 1,375 ft. elevation change; Moderate – 43 miles, 2,365 ft. elevation change; or Long – 62 miles, 3,385 ft. elevation change. The ride is fully supported with refreshments, rest stops and mechanics. Submit your prepaid registration before March 7, and you also will receive a free event t-shirt. For more information, please visit www.wcrotaryclub.org/h4h/.
47th Annual Original Round Top Antiques Fair – Spring Show
April 1-4
The Original Round Top Antiques Fair is celebrating their 47th year, a history earned through their consistent reputation for unsurpassed quality and unusual, one-of-a-kind antiques. When you step through the door of the Big Red Barn, you will experience one of the Best Antique Shows in the nation, and a great place to enjoy award-winning BBQ for lunch.
With porters available to carry items to the car, shippers on site to handle large items, air-conditioned buildings, and free parking, shoppers can enjoy a memorable experience while finding exactly the right treasures to enhance their homes for years to come.
The show is the centerpiece of an antique community that extends more than 10 miles from Carmine on US 290, through Round Top, and out to the open fields and tens of Warrenton on FM 237. Local purveyors are joined by top antique dealers from around the country, making Round Top Antiques Fair one of the “must attend” events each year.
For more information, log on to www.roundtoptexasantiques.com.
51st Annual Bluebonnet Festival in Chappell Hill
April 11-12
The Official State of Texas Bluebonnet Festival, as declared by the Texas Legislature, will be held in downtown Chappell Hill on Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Voted #7 “Most Popular Festival in Texas” by Texas Highways magazine, the Chappell Hill Historical Society’s annual fair will feature more than 250 juried exhibitors and artists selling home decor, gardening, artwork, crafts, jewelry, clothing and more.
Enjoy delicious country-style food, live entertainment and music and tours of the historic community. A special Children’s Activity Corner will offer pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, barrel train and more. A special Wildflower Photo exhibit will be on display at the Chappell Hill Museum Exhibit Gallery. For more information, please visit www.chappellhillhistoricalsociety.com.
2015 Blue Bell Fun Run in Brenham
Aprill 11
Started in 1978, this race benefits the Brenham High School Athletic program through an organization called Run for the Youth of Washington County. Brenham High School athletes serve as volunteers for the race to benefit numerous winning athletic programs, including baseball, track, cross country, golf, volleyball, football, softball, tennis and more.
The course starts and finishes at Brenham High School on FM 2935 off of Loop 577 on the north side of town in scenic and historic Washington County. The Trestle Trail guides runners down paved, winding roads taking you through Brenham’s beautiful countryside – rolling hills covered in bluebonnets.
For more information and registration: www.bluebellfunrun.com.
Where to Find the Best Wildflowers in Washington County
The hills of Wsahington County are bathed in beautiful bluebonnets, fireworks and other wildflowers during springtime. Our friends at the Brenham/Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau receive a lot of calls and emails asking, “When’s the best time for bluebonnets?” or “Where’s the best spot to take photographs?” – and they’ve got the answers for Washington County!
The Bureau provides updates on wildflower locations, activity and more on their website, www.visitbrenhamtexas.com/plan/wildflower-watch.html, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brenham.texas. and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/visitbrenham.
While visiting Washington County, we invite you to join us at Gates Ranch, a 1,500-acre community of exclusive, private ranch estates. Over 87% of the farms in phases on and two (722 out of 828 acres) have been acquired by Houstonians for their own family retreats, so we encourage you to visit us soon. For more information or to schedule your personal tour of Gates Ranch, please call Cyndee Smith with Oldham Goodwin Group at 713-816-3407 or visit www.gatesranchtx.com.
