Open year-round from sunrise to sunset for general use.
Bat viewing nightly May-October. The trail to the lower viewing area is closed each evening. Monday through Wednesday evenings the trail and lower viewing area are not open to the public. On Thursday through Sunday evenings, the trail will only be open to those visitors who pay admission to view the bats at the lower viewing area.
For the most up-to-date emergence information, call the toll-free information line at 1.866.978.2287.
Old Tunnel WMA was acquired by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1991. The primary goals of the WMA are to implement sound resource management practices and research investigations to insure the long-term stability of the bat colony, while providing for maximum public outreach opportunities. Research has been conducted at Old Tunnel WMA since the property was purchased by TPWD, and results of these research projects have allowed biologists to make sound management decisions. Bat-viewing opportunities exist seven nights a week and educational presentations are given Thursday through Sunday, May to October.(When visiting Old Tunnel, we recommend bringing a pair of binoculars to get the best view of the bat emergence.)
The nature trail at Old Tunnel WMA is open year-round. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, bird watching, and general wildlife-viewing. Several educational exhibits with information on bats and railroad history are located along the half mile trail and from May to October bats can usually be seen flying within the tunnel from the trail.

Jimmy Lee Jones, a living legend known throughout the state of Texas, was once referred to by Willie Nelson as "the best kept secret in Texas"...this coming from the icon of Texas music known the world over.

A little Classic Country, a bit of Blues, some Rock n’ Roll, and a lot of heart and soul is what Bo Porter delivers. Bo includes the audience in his performances, which keeps them coming back. His comedic sensibility, and audience communication endears him to the audiences as well as the club owners. The Bo Porter show is a must see.

Jimmy Lee Jones, a living legend known throughout the state of Texas, was once referred to by Willie Nelson as "the best kept secret in Texas"...this coming from the icon of Texas music known the world over.

Tuesday's Legendary Picker Circle will be hosted by local musician Levi Darr. Levi plays a mix of rock, soul, country, and blues all rolled into one.

Jimmy Lee Jones, a living legend known throughout the state of Texas, was once referred to by Willie Nelson as "the best kept secret in Texas"...this coming from the icon of Texas music known the world over.

The Real Bill Lewis is a singer, songwriter, guitar player, pianist, playwrite, novelist, and musician’s musician. You can find him jamming with the stellar hill country musicians who show up for his regular gig under the trees in Luckenbach, Texas, leading the danceable antics of the Stoneyridge Playboys (along with Will Owen Gage, Chris Adams, and Doug Davis), or touring the vicinity with his solo troubadour act.

Jimmy Lee Jones, a living legend known throughout the state of Texas, was once referred to by Willie Nelson as "the best kept secret in Texas"...this coming from the icon of Texas music known the world over.

Kathy Bauer has a passion for country music. Her influences are Emmylou Harris, Tammy Wynette and Merle Haggard. She charted on Billboard’s Country Top 100 in 1983. She performs with her band all over the Texas Hill Country. There is experience in her voice and you get the feeling that she has lived the songs she sings.

A tradition in Fredericksburg is the FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK FREDERICKSBURG, with galleries open until 8:00pm. Fredericksburg's art galleries will be focusing on some aspect of exhibiting artists' works, which may include painting and fine craft demonstrations, casual art talks, opportunities to meet artists, special showings and entertainment. Participants will experience the Fredericksburg art scene up close and personal while enjoying fine wines from local wineries and beyond all day long. Participating galleries are Artisans at Rocky Hill, Charles Beckendorf Gallery, Fredericksburg Art Gallery, The Good Art Co., Photography 414, Rodeo Studio Gallery, Uptown Market, Whistle Pik Galleries, Fredericksburg Art Guild and InSight Gallery.

Jimmy Lee Jones, a living legend known throughout the state of Texas, was once referred to by Willie Nelson as "the best kept secret in Texas"...this coming from the icon of Texas music known the world over.

Real Ale is a great destination for a day trip in the Hill Country. Our facility is located just minutes from the Blanco town square and the Blanco River. Currently our tasting room is open on Fridays from 2 - 5 pm with tours starting at 3 and 4. If you have a large group please give us a heads-up. For directions and more information, please call 830.833.2534 or send us an email
See you soon!

Come on out folks and listen to some good home Texas picking by hill country musician Scooter Pearce as she hosts our Legendary Picker Circle. Scooter Pearce Started playing guitar at the age of 10. Scooter was a founding member of The GypsyCowgirls and lead the band until the band split in 2008.

Enjoy great music and a great selection of gourmet Texas cuisine at Hondo's on Main! Tonight The Douglas Kent Band!
Douglas Kent and his band of Homewreckers are paving their own course through the music scene, playing bars across Texas in support of his album, out later this fall. The Way I Am is Kent's first full-length CD to be released by independent label Roofbeam Records, which signed him in August 2009.
"This album encompasses all my favorite things about country music. It has just enough of everything, to make it perfect for anything," says Kent.

"The Statesboro Revue is in the process of re-defining rock and roll, refusing to let blues and country, the real roots of rock music, fall by the wayside.

Living History Program
This popular living history program uses objects from the museum`s education collection to bring World War II to life for visitors as re-enactors demonstrate the weapons and discuss the tactics and strategy that won the war. The Pacific Combat Zone is located two blocks northeast of the museum complex on E. Austin Street between Elk and Lee.
Three programs each day: 10:30 am, 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm

This is pari-mutuel horse racing the whole family can enjoy. Racing weekends include dancing, entertainment, a variety of food and drink along with all of the attractions of historic Fredericksburg.

2010 race meets are July 3 & 4; July 17 & 18; August 14 & 15 and August 28 & 29. Races feature a full slate of quarter horse, thoroughbred races, special races and trials for the 2010 Gillespie County Fair Futurity.
In addition to live horse racing, the Race Barn, a pari-mutuel simulcast building will be open for greyhound, thoroughbred, and quarter horse races from all over the country. The operation includes an air-conditioned restaurant and bar as well as state of the art simulcast facilities. Call the Race Barn at 830-997-4058 or visit their Web site at www.theracebarn.com
The Gillespie County Fairgrounds is located 2 miles south of Fredericksburg on Texas Highway 16 South.

Turn your weekend into a Family Fun Saturday! The first and third Saturday of each month, we add special activities to your museum experience. Try your hand at churning butter, making rope or cornhusk dolls, participating in a spelling bee, decorating cookies or designing old-fashioned holiday cards.
Activities are held at the Pioneer Museum. Drop in anytime between 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and learn something new! please call 830.990.8441 to confirm daily activities.

Cave Creek School - Built in 1881. Consolidated in 1950. Many students rode horses, some rode donkeys or mules, or walked barefooted to school during all kinds of weather. Saddles were stored in the saddle shed, and the animals stayed in the schoolyard until school was dismissed. One student in the 1920's rode a donkey that brayed almost like clockwork at 11:45 am, dismissing everyone for lunch. During the end of the era, several schools had buses. Some parents brought children by car.
Join the Friends of Gillespie County Country Schools Trail for their open house at the Cave Creek School. The Trail allows visitors to learn about the education and customs of the 19th century residents of German heritage in the Hill Country. Each month a different rural county school will host an open house and tour. Color coded maps of the trail are available at the Visitor Center at 302 E. Austin Street.

Ten miles east of Fredericksburg, Texas on US Hwy 290 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
Live music every Saturday from 2-6 in the Pavilion and Piazza. Today music by The Drugstore Cowboys. Admired by fiercely loyal fans, The Drugstore Cowboys have brought their electric energy to venues throughout the US and Europe. With four distinct and talented singers up front, a rock-solid rhythm section and blistering instrumentalists, The Drugstore Cowboys' musical dynamics are hard to deny. The band's artistry on lead and rhythm guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, and strong vocals have earned them a place on stage with music legends Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams Jr., Gregg Allman, Ronnie Milsap, David Alan Coe, Charlie Daniels, Alabama, Johnny Paycheck, Con Hunley, Flaco Jimenez, the Warren Brothers, Micahel Murphy, Elvin Bishop, McBride and the Ride, Terry Biggs, Steve Wariner, the Mavericks, Gary P. Nunn, Freddy Fender, Charly McClain, Buddy Emmons, Buck Trent, Joe Ely, Jerry Jeff Walker, Eddie Raven, Gatemouth Brown, Asleep at the Wheel, Mel Tillis, John Anderson, the Sweethearts of the Rodeo, David Frizzell, Leroy Parnell, Restless Heart and Daryl Singletary. They've been backup band for Frenchie Burke, Johnny Rodriguez, Johnny Bush, Gary Stewart, Gene Watson, Roy Head, and the list goes on and on.
Browse our gift shop, relax with friends and wine. Gourmet box lunches, and cheese baskets available for your enjoyment

The New York Times says,“Their authenticity is as welcome as a drive down a lonely road in a dusty pickup.”
The McKay Brothers, fifth generation Texans, grew up in the hills of Bandera County. Music became an inescapable part of their early lives. Hollin recalls “we used to sit on the banks of the Nueces river with our uncle playing songs ranging from the Beatles to George Jones. Our uncle’s feelings about music shaped a lot of what we write about.“

While still in in their teens both brothers started playing professionally. Noel’s first experience began in the honky-tonks and dance halls around Bandera. Hollin, at age16, joined his brother, playing such colorful places as San Antonio biker bars and rustic dives. Since then the McKay Brothers have shared the stage with the likes of Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, Charlie Robison and Robert Earl Keen.

Like those talented artists, the brothers have proven to be prolific songwriters. The process of developing their original material is at times unexpected. Noel explains, “Sometimes a song idea will come to you and you have to determine the best way to finish it. The goal is to make someone feel and believe in the experience you're writing about.”

WOW! THE RETURN OF THIS KILLER ENTERTAINER FROM DALLAS. THIS WEEK END WILL PROVE TO BE A ROCKING ONE. DON'T MISS IT. ELVIS IS MAKING QUIET A NAME FOR HIMSELF IN THE HILL COUNTRY. HIS PERFORMANCES HAVE TURNED INTO STANDING ROOM ONLY.

Chili cooks will cook up chili samples to raise money for the Greater Fredericksburg's Habitat for Humanity. There will also be a chili judging for best chili. More info TBA.

Becker Vineyards is located 11 miles east of Fredericksburg, 3 miles west of Stonewall, off U.S. Hwy 290. Exit Jenschke Lane, turn right at 464 Becker Farms Road. GPS N 30 degrees 12.170' W 098 degrees 42.113'

July 4th holiday celebrations. Celebrate the nation’s independence! Here are some of the community events:
July 4th Parade and Fireworks Display
8:00 a.m.- Children’s Parade around the Marktplatz on Main St. (age up to 11 years)
1:00 p.m. - Parade down Main St., followed by a patriotic program at the Marktplatz on Main St.
9:30 p.m. - Fireworks at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, Hwy 16 S

Come celebrate our nation's birthday as a German family and their friends would have done in the early 1900s during the Sauer-Beckmann Farm's July 4th Celebration. Take part in activities such as horseshoe and washer pitching, stick horse races, watermelon seed spitting, and other games. Located at LBJ State Historical Park on Hwy 290 East near Stonewall, the farm will be open as usual, with interpreters in period clothing carrying out day-to-day farm activities - replicating how these early settlers would have celebrated July 4th. There's no charge to attend and donations are welcome. Located east of the visitor center and off the nature trail, is a living history farm. Life on the farmstead is presented as it was in 1918. Park interpreters wear period clothing, do the farm and household chores as they were done at that time and also conduct tours for the visitors.

Luckenbach’s Legendary Picker Circle w/Cowboy Doug Davis. Come on out and join in the music and fun!

Cowboy Doug Davis is a Luckenbach regular and honest to goodness, deep-down Texas Cowboy...and a great musician too!