Favorite Events are Celebrated by Locals, Visitors
Signature Events
Sul Ross State University Sports
From baseball to track and field, basketball to tennis to football, sports fans can keep busy cheering for the Sul Ross Lobo teams. Events throughout the school year. www.srlobos.com
Big Bend Livestock Show
Now in its 72nd year, the annual Big Bend Livestock Show in January gives tri-county FFA and 4-H students an opportunity to compete for scholarships by showing their lambs, pigs, goats and steers. Additional events include a horse show and silent auction. Details on Facebook at Big-Bend-Livestock-Show-Association
Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Each February, cowboys, cowgirls and western devotees converge from across the American West and Canada to share stories of cowboy life through poetry, stories, and music.
Free daytime sessions run concurrently. Evening events showcase featured performers and include a Saturday night dance. Chuck wagon breakfast at Poets’ Grove each morning. February 24-25, 2017. www.texascowboypoetry.com.
Trappings of Texas
Each April, the Museum of the Big Bend showcases the best in cowboy gear and Western art. For details, see page 27.
Big Bend Gem & Mineral Show
In April, the Chihuahuan Desert Gem & Mineral Club hosts this free event which showcases rocks and minerals, spectacular agate collections, finished jewelry and ready-to-set gemstones. www.cdgmc.org.
From baseball to track and field, basketball to tennis to football, sports fans can keep busy cheering for the Sul Ross Lobo teams. Events throughout the school year. www.srlobos.com
Big Bend Livestock Show
Now in its 72nd year, the annual Big Bend Livestock Show in January gives tri-county FFA and 4-H students an opportunity to compete for scholarships by showing their lambs, pigs, goats and steers. Additional events include a horse show and silent auction. Details on Facebook at Big-Bend-Livestock-Show-Association
Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Each February, cowboys, cowgirls and western devotees converge from across the American West and Canada to share stories of cowboy life through poetry, stories, and music.
Free daytime sessions run concurrently. Evening events showcase featured performers and include a Saturday night dance. Chuck wagon breakfast at Poets’ Grove each morning. February 24-25, 2017. www.texascowboypoetry.com.
Trappings of Texas
Each April, the Museum of the Big Bend showcases the best in cowboy gear and Western art. For details, see page 27.
Big Bend Gem & Mineral Show
In April, the Chihuahuan Desert Gem & Mineral Club hosts this free event which showcases rocks and minerals, spectacular agate collections, finished jewelry and ready-to-set gemstones. www.cdgmc.org.
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Cinco de Mayo
Join the festivities commemorating the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Alpine’s celebration is a local tradition featuring an enchilada dinner, themed parade, music, dancing, car show and the Grand Mercado.
Go to visitalpinetx.com/events/cinco-de-mayo/
Drive Big Bend
Escape city traffic and drive the open roads of West Texas. The Drive Big Bend car festival features antique, classic and performance automobiles in three days of tours, music, happy hours and a car show at Kokernot Field in Alpine. May 27-29, 2016. www.drivebigbend.com.
Theatre of the Big Bend
Enjoy theatre-under-the-stars performances by Sul Ross State University’s summer theatre program. This season, Theatre of the Big Bend presents Charlotte’s Web and Monty Python’s Spamalot. June-July. www.sulross.edu/tobb
Fourth of July Celebration
A parade followed by live music, family activities and fireworks at Kokernot Park bring fun and excitement to Alpine.
Viva Big Bend Music Festival
Celebrating its fifth year, Viva Big Bend is a four-day music festival featuring over 50 bands covering a variety of genres, plus an art show and kids activities. Held at venues in Alpine, Marfa, Fort Davis and Marathon. July 28-31, 2016. Visit vivabigbend.com.
Big Bend Ranch Rodeo
Calling all cowboys - and those who wish they were cowboys. At the annual Big Bend Ranch Rodeo, working cowboys participate in events that celebrate local ranching heritage and highlight a unique American lifestyle. August 12-13, 2016. www.BigBendRanchRodeo.com.
Alpine Cowboys Baseball
In 1989, Sports Illustrated called Alpine’s Kokernot Field “The best little ballpark in Texas (or anywhere else).” Enjoy the view and cool breezes while watching the Alpine Cowboys professional baseball team at this historic ballpark, styled after Wrigley Field. Season opens late May and ends early August. alpine.pecosleague.com/
Big Bend Gun & Knife Show
The Lions Club of Alpine brings the annual Big Bend Gun & Knife show to the Alpine Civic Center over Labor Day weekend. www.visitalpinetx.com
Artwalk
Thousands come to Alpine for this two-day celebration of regional art and artists that includes music, parades and a silent art auction. November 18-19, 2016. See article on page 9. artwalkalpine.com
Center for Big Bend Studies
Annual Conference
Join historians, archeologists, folklorists and other researchers studying the past and present of the Big Bend, Trans-Pecos and northern Mexico at this two-day conference at Sul Ross State University. November 11-12, 2016. Visit cbbs.sulross.edu
Join the festivities commemorating the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Alpine’s celebration is a local tradition featuring an enchilada dinner, themed parade, music, dancing, car show and the Grand Mercado.
Go to visitalpinetx.com/events/cinco-de-mayo/
Drive Big Bend
Escape city traffic and drive the open roads of West Texas. The Drive Big Bend car festival features antique, classic and performance automobiles in three days of tours, music, happy hours and a car show at Kokernot Field in Alpine. May 27-29, 2016. www.drivebigbend.com.
Theatre of the Big Bend
Enjoy theatre-under-the-stars performances by Sul Ross State University’s summer theatre program. This season, Theatre of the Big Bend presents Charlotte’s Web and Monty Python’s Spamalot. June-July. www.sulross.edu/tobb
Fourth of July Celebration
A parade followed by live music, family activities and fireworks at Kokernot Park bring fun and excitement to Alpine.
Viva Big Bend Music Festival
Celebrating its fifth year, Viva Big Bend is a four-day music festival featuring over 50 bands covering a variety of genres, plus an art show and kids activities. Held at venues in Alpine, Marfa, Fort Davis and Marathon. July 28-31, 2016. Visit vivabigbend.com.
Big Bend Ranch Rodeo
Calling all cowboys - and those who wish they were cowboys. At the annual Big Bend Ranch Rodeo, working cowboys participate in events that celebrate local ranching heritage and highlight a unique American lifestyle. August 12-13, 2016. www.BigBendRanchRodeo.com.
Alpine Cowboys Baseball
In 1989, Sports Illustrated called Alpine’s Kokernot Field “The best little ballpark in Texas (or anywhere else).” Enjoy the view and cool breezes while watching the Alpine Cowboys professional baseball team at this historic ballpark, styled after Wrigley Field. Season opens late May and ends early August. alpine.pecosleague.com/
Big Bend Gun & Knife Show
The Lions Club of Alpine brings the annual Big Bend Gun & Knife show to the Alpine Civic Center over Labor Day weekend. www.visitalpinetx.com
Artwalk
Thousands come to Alpine for this two-day celebration of regional art and artists that includes music, parades and a silent art auction. November 18-19, 2016. See article on page 9. artwalkalpine.com
Center for Big Bend Studies
Annual Conference
Join historians, archeologists, folklorists and other researchers studying the past and present of the Big Bend, Trans-Pecos and northern Mexico at this two-day conference at Sul Ross State University. November 11-12, 2016. Visit cbbs.sulross.edu
Calendar
JANUARY
• Chamber of Commerce Banquet - Recognizing citizen & business of the year, www.alpinetexas.com
FEBRUARY
• Valentine’s in Valentine - www.bigbendbrewing.com/valentines-day
MARCH
• Spring Break! - Alpine and the Big Bend region are popular Spring Break destinations.
April
• Texas Glider Rally (Marfa) - Soaring over the Marfa plateau, www.flygliders.com
• Hammerfest (Fort Davis) - Bicycle road races in the Davis Mountains, www.peytonsbikes.com
MAY
• Marfa Film Festival (Marfa) - Screenings of independently produced films, www.marfafilmfestival.org
JULY
• SRSU Alumni Rodeo -www.sulross.edu/page/1963/ anrs-rodeo-exes-association
• Viva Big Bend Food Festival - www.vivabigbend.com.
SEPTEMBER
• Marfa Lights Festival (Marfa) - Celebrating the mysterious lights of Marfa, www.marfacc.com
• West Fest (Marathon) - Cabrito Cookoff and Family Fun, www.marathontexas.com
• Fort Davis CycleFest (Fort Davis) - Bicycle touring in the Davis Mountains, www.fortdavis.com
OCTOBER
• Marfa Open - A week-long festival celebrating photography. October 2-9. www.marfaopen.com
• National Intercollegiate Rodeo - Association Rodeo - College rodeo competition, www.collegerodeo.com
• M2M (Marathon to Marathon) - Sanctioned runs in Marathon, www.marathon2marathon.net
• Chinati Open House (Marfa) - Open house at the world-famous Chinati Foundation, www.chinati.org
• Ride for the Trails (Study Butte) - Motorcycle rally benefiting BBNP, www.ridefortrails.com
NOVEMBER
• CASI International Chili Championship (Terlingua) - The ultimate celebration of Chili, www.chili.org/terlingua.html
DECEMBER
• Mountain Country Christmas - Arts and Crafts from around the region, www.alpinetexas.com
• Fiesta de Noche Bueno (Marathon) - Christmas-themed celebration with food, music, and fun! www.marathontexas.com
• Chamber of Commerce Banquet - Recognizing citizen & business of the year, www.alpinetexas.com
FEBRUARY
• Valentine’s in Valentine - www.bigbendbrewing.com/valentines-day
MARCH
• Spring Break! - Alpine and the Big Bend region are popular Spring Break destinations.
April
• Texas Glider Rally (Marfa) - Soaring over the Marfa plateau, www.flygliders.com
• Hammerfest (Fort Davis) - Bicycle road races in the Davis Mountains, www.peytonsbikes.com
MAY
• Marfa Film Festival (Marfa) - Screenings of independently produced films, www.marfafilmfestival.org
JULY
• SRSU Alumni Rodeo -www.sulross.edu/page/1963/ anrs-rodeo-exes-association
• Viva Big Bend Food Festival - www.vivabigbend.com.
SEPTEMBER
• Marfa Lights Festival (Marfa) - Celebrating the mysterious lights of Marfa, www.marfacc.com
• West Fest (Marathon) - Cabrito Cookoff and Family Fun, www.marathontexas.com
• Fort Davis CycleFest (Fort Davis) - Bicycle touring in the Davis Mountains, www.fortdavis.com
OCTOBER
• Marfa Open - A week-long festival celebrating photography. October 2-9. www.marfaopen.com
• National Intercollegiate Rodeo - Association Rodeo - College rodeo competition, www.collegerodeo.com
• M2M (Marathon to Marathon) - Sanctioned runs in Marathon, www.marathon2marathon.net
• Chinati Open House (Marfa) - Open house at the world-famous Chinati Foundation, www.chinati.org
• Ride for the Trails (Study Butte) - Motorcycle rally benefiting BBNP, www.ridefortrails.com
NOVEMBER
• CASI International Chili Championship (Terlingua) - The ultimate celebration of Chili, www.chili.org/terlingua.html
DECEMBER
• Mountain Country Christmas - Arts and Crafts from around the region, www.alpinetexas.com
• Fiesta de Noche Bueno (Marathon) - Christmas-themed celebration with food, music, and fun! www.marathontexas.com
