Day Trips & Beyond: September Events Roundup

Famous footwear. Texas claims several entries in the Guinness Book of World Records, but one of the most famous is “The Giant Justins,” otherwise known as the World’s Largest Cowboy Boots. Before the 40-foot-tall and 30-foot-long faux-ostrich boots landed along Loop 410 in San Antonio they were part of Washington Project for the Arts funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. In 1979, Austin native Bob “Daddy-O” Wade made the boots, which turned out to be one of many whimsical art projects he placed around the state before he died in 2019. In 1980, three 18-wheeler trucks carted the steel, wood, urethane foam, and fiber-crete boots to the north entrance of North Star Mall. The sculpture is illuminated every night, but during the Christmas season they are especially colorful. 

World’s Largest Cowboy Boots, 7400 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, www.northstarmall.com

Visitors of all ages enjoy the SPAM® Museum in Austin, MN. There are lots of fun facts about the canned lunch meat as well as photo ops and interactive displays. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Mystery meat. It takes a lot of self-confidence for a town to call itself “SPAMTOWN USA.” Austin, Minnesota, wears the moniker with pride as the hometown of the canned lunch meat. The northern Austin is a handsome little burg of 26,000 with a downtown area that is part antique and part modern (they have a historic Paramount Theatre, too). It’s a company town dominated by its largest employer: Hormel Foods. The centerpiece of the business district is the SPAM® Museum.

The museum is surprisingly small but is a colorful vault of information and hands-on exhibits. The company is a shining example of American ingenuity and innovation with an impressive number of firsts to its credit. Founded in 1891 by George A. Hormel as a pork-packing company working directly with local farmers, it was the first to bring canned hams to the market. Chili con carne may have been invented by the Chili Queens in the street markets of San Antonio, but Hormel canned it and spread chili around the world in 1935. The company’s Dinty Moore brand of canned ready-to-eat meals introduced in 1935 still feeds millions of college students. SPAM, the name supposedly a combination of “spice” and “ham,” was introduced in 1937. Made with only six ingredients, the main parts being pork shoulder and ham, the slurry of blended parts is cooked in the 12-ounce cans. My mother stretched her food budget by serving her six kids fried SPAM with eggs, but more inventive recipes followed the canned lunch meat around the world. The Philippines, China, and Australia have integrated the pink meat into their local cuisines. Perhaps SPAM is most famous for feeding the world during and after World War II. In Britain, SPAM is so popular they have an annual SPAM Week and Monty Python had success on Broadway with the Spamalot musical. More SPAM is consumed per person in Hawaii than in any other state, and every year since 2002 they have held the Waikiki SPAM JAM®. There was no mention in the museum of Austin, Texas’ SPAMarama that ran from 1978 to 2007 and was resurrected in 2019 and 2022. 

The SPAM® Museum is at 101 Third Ave. NE, Austin, Minn. Admission is free. The museum and attached gift shop are open daily. Austin, Minn, is 1,104 miles almost due north of us, 30 miles off I-35.

Travel Notes:    For over 150 years the Bolivar Point Lighthouse has greeted visitors making the crossing from Galveston to the peninsula. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

See the light. On Sept. 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike devastated Galveston and inundated the Bolivar Peninsula. Hammered by sustained winds of 110 mph, the ironclad Bolivar Point Lighthouse stood strong. It wasn’t the 117-foot tower’s first hurricane. First lit in 1872, the lighthouse has survived several hurricanes, tropical storms, and the catastrophic Hurricane of 1900 when 125 refugees sheltered in its walls. Decommissioned in 1933 and sold at auction in 1947, the lighthouse is now being restored by the nonprofit Bolivar Point Lighthouse Foundation. On Sept. 13, the foundation invites visitors to tour the lighthouse from 10am to 2pm and celebrate the resilience of the peninsula on the anniversary of Hurricane Ike. 

A new documentary film introduces viewers to the Neches River.  

Wild and free. The one-hour documentary film The Neches River: Wild Heart of East Texas follows the people who live along the Neches – those who study it, enjoy it, and work to protect it – offering an intimate look at a river and a way of life that most Texans have never encountered. From its source in Van Zandt County the Neches flows 416 miles through the Piney Woods of East Texas, defining the boundaries of 14 counties on its way to its mouth on Sabine Lake near the Rainbow Bridge. Except for dams and man-made lakes, much of the river is in a natural state flowing through national wildlife refuges and the Davy Crockett National Forest. Although the Neches is recognized as one of the last remaining ecosystems of its kind in the U.S., its beauty and ecological importance remain largely hidden to most. The hourlong film by producer Ellen Temple and cinematographer Curtis Craven is available to stream online for free. 

A short distance south of Austin, the Duchman Family Winery sits among the hills and woodlands outside of Driftwood. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Wine time. Congratulations to Duchman Family Winery in Driftwood for being selected by USA Today as No. 3 on its list of 10 best wine tasting rooms across the U.S. That is quite a feat when you consider it ranked above established wineries in California and Oregon. Founded in 2004, the winery uses Texas-grown grapes for its award-winning Vermentino, Aglianico, Tempranillo, and Roussanne wines. The scenic winery also has the advantage of being next door to the wonderful Trattoria Lisina Italian Restaurant. 

TPWD has opened a 3.5-mile hiking trail at Honey Creek State Natural Area, which shares river frontage with Guadalupe State Park. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Sweet spot. For years the fragile environment of Honey Creek State Natural Area has been off-limits to the public except by guided tour. Beginning this summer Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has opened a 3.5-mile hiking trail for public day use without a park guide. Visitors will need to obtain a reservation through the TPWD website, through the call center (512/389-8900), or a QR code on-site. Directions and gate codes are provided to those with reservations. The natural area is adjacent to Guadalupe River State Park and shares some of the same river frontage. Guided hikes are still being offered on Saturday and Sunday at 8:30am. Honey Creek SNA encompasses 2,809 acres in western Comal County, about 30 miles north of downtown San Antonio. Much of the land was part of a homestead by German settlers beginning in 1866. The state acquired the property in 1985 through the Texas Nature Conservancy.

Other September Events: BIG BEND 

Ken Womack’s “Giant”

The final weeks the UT graduate’s first solo show features larger-than-life sculptures that pokes fun and shows his admiration for his home state.

Through Sept. 13, Midland, www.museumsw.org/ken-womack

The Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine brings together artists and craftsmen for an annual show and sale. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Trappings of Texas 

Celebrating the rich culture and craftsmanship of the American West, this exhibit and sale features work from premier artists and custom equipment makers. The exhibit will remain on display at the museum through Oct. 31.

Sept. 17-19, Alpine, www.museumofthebigbend.com

Telescope 101 Workshop

Who better to teach you the basics of that telescope sitting in a box in your closet or help you decide which telescope to buy than the experts at McDonald Observatory? Get hands-on instructions to better understand how optics work and how to find your way around the night sky under some of the darkest skies in the U.S. BYOT or use theirs. 

Sept. 23, Fort Davis, mcdonaldobservatory.org/visit/telescopes-101

GULF COAST

Galveston Island Wine Festival  

Celebrity, regional, and local chefs join this annual event featuring wine tastings, gourmet culinary experiences, and live entertainment in a tropical setting. 

Sept. 4-6, Galveston, www.visitgalveston.com/events

Open Days at the Garden

Join a tour of the John Fairey Garden’s more than 5,000 plants from Mexico, Asia, and the U.S. at 10am, 11am, and 1pm. The nursery will be open from 9-3.

Sept. 12, Hempstead, jfgarden.org

Take a look inside the Bolivar Point Lighthouse, a ferry ride from Galveston. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Bolivar Point Lighthouse Open House

This is a rare opportunity to see up close the restoration work being done on the historic 1872 lighthouse. 

Sept. 13, Port Bolivar, bolivarpointlighthouse.org

Galveston Sandcastle Festival   

Houston-area architects, designers, engineers, and contractors take their tools to Galveston’s East Beach for what is considered one of the world’s largest amateur sandcastle competitions.

Sept. 19-20, Galveston, www.visitgalveston.com

Galveston Island Shrimp Festival  

Galveston Island is a seafood lover’s paradise all year, but in September it explodes with a little taste of heaven.

Sept. 25-26, Galveston, www.visitgalveston.com/events

Texas Food Championship

Chefs, pitmasters, and home cooks compete for a chance to represent the state in the World Food Championship.

Sept. 25-27, Corpus Christi, www.texasfoodchampionship.com

Red, White & Beeville

Walk among beautifully restored aircraft, purchase a ride in an authentic 1940s-era airplane, and explore emergency and specialty vehicles during the Touch-a-Truck experience.

Sept. 26, Beeville, members.experiencebeecounty.org/events

HILL COUNTRY

“Houdini’s Library”

One of history’s most famous illusionists, Harry Houdini also built an astounding personal collection of books, manuscripts, and ephemera documenting the long global history of magic and theatre that the Ransom Center acquired in 1958. Commemorating the centenary of Houdini’s death in 1926, this exhibit delves into the magician’s study of the world around him. 

Sept. 1-Jan. 24, Austin, www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions

In a Pickle Festival

Come enjoy pickle food, contests, shopping, games, and a carnival. Festival favorites include pickle eating contests, pickle juice drinking contests, a pet parade, and interactive activities for all ages.

Sept. 19-20, Helotes, inapicklefest.com

Sweet Eats Farm Fall Festival

Explore the 4.5-acre themed corn maze, and Texas-sized pumpkin patch, daily pig races, a petting zoo, pony rides, wagon rides, apple cannons, and over 30 exciting farm-themed activities.

Sept. 19-Nov. 8, Georgetown, www.sweeteats.com

Texas Music Festival

Three evenings of cool country and blues music in Robinson City Park. 

Sept. 25-26, Llano, www.llanotexasmusicfest.com

Feel your oats at the annual Oatmeal Festival. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Oatmeal Festival

Family fun, live music, vendors, food, craft beer, and games are all part of the excitement for festival named for a ghost town. 

Sept. 26, Bertram, www.oatmealfestival.org

Stars Over Wimberley Benefit Concert Series

The series brings Texas musicians to town in support of local high school scholarships this month featuring Tony Kamel & Kym Warner with Pat Byrne.

Sept. 30, Wimberley, www.starsoverwimberley.org

PANHANDLE PLAINS Join the celebration in Lubbock of what would have been Buddy Holly’s 90th birthday. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Buddy Holly’s 90th Birthday Bash

Celebrate what would have been the music legend’s birthday with tours, music, and more. 

Sept. 7, Lubbock, www.buddyhollycenter.org

Hoodoo Mural Festival

Music meets art as world-class muralists add new outdoor art to Amarillo during a high-energy music festival and interactive art show. 

Sept. 26, Amarillo, www.hoodoomural.com

PRAIRIES AND LAKES

Spark! Places of Innovation

Organized by the Smithsonian, this exhibition highlights stories of rural ingenuity from across America. Taylor’s exhibit brings that story home, showcasing the people, industries, and ideas that transformed a small railroad town into a thriving Central Texas community.

Sept.1-27, Taylor, taylortx.gov

Kolache Festival

Experience the area’s rich Czech heritage, lively entertainment, and those delicious homemade doughy pillows of goodness: kolaches.

Sept. 12, Caldwell, www.burlesoncountytx.com/kolache-fest

Take a walk back in time at the Gault Site tours. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Gault Site Guided Tours

Investigations at the Gault Site have helped establish that people were in the Americas as early as 20,000 years ago, far longer than many archaeologists had believed. The two-hour walk features interpretive kiosks at spots where the excavations took place and history-making discoveries were made. The tour ends with hands-on displays and replicas of artifacts recovered during excavations.

Sept. 12, 26, Florence, www.gaultschool.org/tours

Grapefest

The largest wine festival in the Southwest returns for four unforgettable days featuring exceptional wine encounters and exciting festivities celebrating the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the nation.

Sept. 17-20, Grapevine, www.grapevinetexasusa.com/grapefest

Plano Balloon Festival

One the largest hot air balloon showcases in the state returns for its 47th year with daylong events. 

Sept. 17-20, Plano, www.planoballoonfest.org

The Giddings Public Library hosts the 20th literary festival of regional writers. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Word Wrangler Festival

Since 2006, the festival has celebrated Texas authors. In addition to honoring Texas writers, the book festival gives the community an opportunity to meet word wranglers and learn about the writing craft.

Sept. 25-27, Giddings, www.giddingspubliclibrary.org/word-wrangler

Wendish Fest

Honor Wendish culture on the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Picnic Grounds with noodle making, sausage making, and other ethnic events. Six miles south of town on CR 212.

Sept. 27, Giddings, www.texaswends.org/wendish-fest

SOUTH TEXAS

Beer Tasting Cruises

Every Friday in September, Ambler Texas Kitchen is teaming up with GO RIO River Cruises for rides along the San Antonio River featuring handcrafted beer selections paired with delicious dishes.

Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25, San Antonio, www.goriocruises.com/specialty-cruises

“Lowrider Culture in the United States / Cultura Lowrider en los Estados Unidos”

This traveling exhibition is based on research from the Smithsonian and includes objects from lowriding art and trade. Lowriding is a quintessential Latino/a tradition started by Mexican American communities in the 1940s to assert their space and empower their lives. This unique car-making tradition is infused with Latino/a soul, entrepreneurship, and ingenuity.

Through Oct. 15, McAllen, theimasonline.org

Wild & Scenic Film Festival 

A free community event celebrating nature, conservation, and the outdoors through a collection of inspiring films. Enjoy live music, local food vendors in Confluence Park 6:30-10:30pm.

Sept. 26, San Antonio, https://wildandscenicfilmfestival.org

Gerald McLeod has been traveling around Texas and beyond for his “Day Trips” column for more than 35 years. Keep up to date with his journeys on his archive page and follow him on Facebook.

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