2009 Summer Attractions in Texas

Are you ready for an adventurous and fun-filled summer? Maybe you're stocking up the RV, ready to hit the open road on your budget-friendly vacation. The State of Texas plays hosts to a myriad of festivals and special events that are affordable and entertaining. There are too many activities around Texas to list in one article so the events are listed by the month.

The Mayborn Museum in Waco, Texas will be offering an exhibit featuring the machines constructed from Leonardo da Vinci's famous notebook from May 23 to August 16. The Leonardo da Vinci Machines in Motion Exhibit feature 40 different recreations of da Vinci's drawings by modern scientists and craftsmen from Renaissance-Florence, Italy. Tickets are $6 for adults, seniors are $5 and $4 for children aged 18 months to 12 years old. Admission is free for Baylor Students and members of The Mayborn Museum. This fun and educational exhibit is sponsored by Baylor University with hours and for more information visit www.baylor.edu/mayborn/.

The 2009 Historic Mansfield Arts Festival is one of three festivals held in Mansfield, Texas each year. The Art Festival is located on Depot Street and surrounding Stevens Garden & Grill with booths featuring different artists and vendors. The booths are open from 10 am to 8 pm and will include artists such as Accents by Bob, Bobbi's Handcrafted Jewelry, DB Glass Design, and Jilly Art Studios. Various concerts will be held Friday night and beginning at 1 pm the following day. Sponsored by Historic Mansfield, admission is free and more information can be found at www.historicmansfield.com.

Texas Christian University is embarking on an amazing tradition. An inaugural event to make up for the lack of Shakespearean plays in the Fort Worth area, TCU introduces the Trinity Shakespeare Festival. The romantic tragedy Romeo & Juliet and the comic Twelfth Night will be rotating performances at the Jerita Foley Buschman Theatre and the Marlene and Spencer Hays Theatre. The shows will run from June 12^th to the 28^th with performances at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Adult tickets are $20 and students and seniors $10. For more information visit www.trinityshakes.org or call (817) 257-7625 for ticket purchase.

Austin, Texas is known for its eclectic community and quite a few outdoor activities can be enjoyed by the entire family. For four days at the Travis County Expo Center, June 11^th through the 14^th, The 15^th Annual Republic of Texas Biker Rally will feature celebrity builders, vendor booths and a motorcycle building competition. Celebrity builders include Paul Yaffee, Jeff Nicklus, Rick Fairless, and many more. The 2^nd Annual ROT Rally XFC Fight Night will be on Saturday with celebrity appearances by popular mixed martial arts fighters and will require funds for admission in addition the rally ticket. Tickets are $55 dollars per person and they will also raffle off a signed Evel Knieval Softail Bobber motorcycle to a deserving military soldier. Visit www.rotrally.com for more information.

Who wouldn't love to look up into the clouds and see a sky full of hot air balloons? The Dallas Fort Worth Summer Balloon Classic held at Midway Regional Airport in Waxahachie from June 19^th to the 21^st. Admission free although parking is $10. Top ranked competitors will be launching hot air balloons into the atmosphere to battle each other in challenging tasks. Along with the aviation entertainment, patrons will be able to walk through the concession stands featuring food from Chik-fil-A of Waxahachie and Marble Slab Creamery of Waxahachie. Starbucks Coffee will have a tasting exhibit for the lovers of that roasted bean. The Skin Cancer Foundation's Road to Healthy Skin Tour will also be on hand to answer questions and provide samples. The festivities begin on Friday from 4 pm to 8:30 pm, then Saturday 6 am to 9 pm, and Sunday 6 am to 8 pm. With a host of sponsors including GEICO and Curves International, this will be a treat for the whole family. For a full listing of vendors and exhibits, visit www.summerballoonclassic.com.

Sources

Festivals and Events, Texas Festivals, www.festivalsandevents.com

The Mayborn Museum, The Leonardo da Vinci Machines in Motion Exhibit, www.baylor.edu/mayborn/

Historic Mansfield, The 2009 Historic Mansfield Arts Festival, www.historicmansfield.net

Texas Christian University, Trinity Shakespeare Festival, www.trinityshakes.org

Republic of Texas Biker Rally, The 15^th Annual Republic of Texas Biker Rally, www.rotrally.com

Summer Balloon Classic, The Dallas Fort Worth Summer Balloon Classic, www.summerballoonclassic.com