Day Trips & Beyond: March Events Roundup

Eagles have landed. The bald eagles’ nest is littered with a half-eaten fish and feathers from prior meals. Sadly, on Feb. 10, Kayleigh Bucur, executive director of the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center outside of Seagoville in North East Texas announced the death of one of the two eaglets hatched on Jan. 24 and 25. The remaining eaglet, JBS 24, looks to be doing fine and the parents are giving it plenty of attention. JBS installed two cameras near the nest allowing visitors to follow the eagles from their computers.

Adult bald eagles first appeared at the nature center in 2008 but didn’t begin nesting there until 2011. Unfortunately, they built their home on an arm of a high-voltage electrical transmission tower. In July 2014, after the eagles had left for the summer, the 200-pound nest made of sticks was moved to a replica tower a quarter of a mile away with no electrical lines attached. When the eagles returned in the fall of 2014, they soon moved to reclaim their old nest. 

The first eagle cam provided live video beginning in 2014. The eagles nested in a tree without cameras from 2021 to 2022. They were back in view beginning in the 2023 season. The juveniles usually stay around the nest until late May with the adults waiting until early June to head for cooler climates. Although you can’t legally get closer than binocular range to the eagle nest, the wetland center is a great place to visit year-round. There is no telling what creatures you might spot when wandering the trails. Naturalist-led tours of the wetland happen on most weekends. 

JBS Wetland Center, 655 Martin Lane, Combine, https://wetlandcenter.com

From the Archives

“Day Trips” first appeared in The Austin Chronicle on April 12, 1991. Even before then I had begun amassing a collection of photographs from around Texas that now numbers in the thousands. Occasionally in the coming months I will highlight a photo that may or may not have previously been published. Hope you enjoy. 

“The Legend, The Lore, The Law” by Dustin Payne stands near the closed Former Texas Ranger Association site on U.S. 290 on the east side of Fredericksburg. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Fort expansion. You couldn’t be blamed if you didn’t know there was a museum for the Texas Rangers (law enforcement, not baseball) in Fredericksburg. It never reached its promised goals. The city council recently canceled the lease on city-owned property held by the Former Texas Ranger Association. The foundation that supports the proposed museum leased the property on U.S. Highway 290 as you enter town from the east beginning in 2011, and 2018 it was extended by seven years. The city council turned around and transferred the 12-acre property to the Texas Historical Commission for an “interactive heritage center” next door to the recently spruced-up 1848 Fort Martin Scott, the first frontier fort in Texas. THC took over the adjacent fort in 2024. A 50-foot bell tower, a Ranger ring of honor, an outdoor pavilion and amphitheatre, and artwork are currently on the property. 

Fort Martin Scott State Historic Site, 1606 E. Main St., Fredericksburg, https://thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/fort-martin-scott

Travel Notes:   

Big Bend border walls. As the Big Bend Sentinel reported Feb. 3, “‘Natural barriers’ may no longer be enough to satisfy the Trump administration’s appetite for a wall. An updated map on the [CBP’s] website describes three contiguous wall projects in the Big Bend Sector, stretching from Fort Quitman outside of Sierra Blanca and ending at the Colorado Canyon River Put-In in Big Bend Ranch State Park, with a total mileage of around 175 miles of wall.” If the Customs and Border Protection plans go through, the actual wall will stretch from El Paso to the state park. The state park, which encompasses most of the land along FM 170 (River Road), will be outfitted with “Detection Technology” despite facing steep and rugged mountains on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande. The Trump administration is moving to waive a wide range of federal environmental regulations to speed up border wall construction in the region, including a portion of Big Bend Ranch State Park. Residents and those who appreciate the beauty of the unfenced wilderness are fighting back. Photographer Anna Claire Beasley of Terlingua posted an online petition that has gathered over 53,000 signatures against the proposed wall.

Follow the trail of the Buffalo Soldiers that leads to Fort McKavett and other frontier locations on a new online map. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Brought to America. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission have partnered to launch the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail website using decades of scholarship and advocacy by Dr. A.C. Jackson and Ken Pollard. The site honors the bravery, service, and enduring legacy of the African American soldiers during America’s westward expansion.  The Texas trail covers most of the state from Brownsville to El Paso following the military and civilian routes during the 19th century. The pathway of the frontier military is arranged in 15 corridors each approximately 50 to 100 miles wide with relevant locations identified. 

Go underground in Houston for the Cistern’s newest light show beginning April 24. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Underground art. Tickets are now on sale for a new site-specific art installation opening in the Cistern in Houston on April 24. Undercurrents by groundbreaking artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer will transform the cavernous underground space into a vast, echoing chamber of light, sound, and memory. 

Restored by Light decorates Mission San Jose in San Antonio. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

My H-E-B. On Feb. 13, the Office of Historic Preservation and World Heritage Office sponsored Restored by Light at Mission San Jose in San Antonio. The 16th-century church was bathed in a light show that included how the mission looked when covered in stucco and painted with elaborate geometric designs. The 15-minute show rolled through pictures of the city, designs, and cartoons eliciting oohs and aahs much like a fireworks show. The image that drew the biggest applause was a salute to hometown grocery store H-E-B. The San Antonio Spurs came in a distant second with crowd approval. Sign up with the Office of Historic Preservation to be notified of the next Restored by Light event. 

Short walk on a long pier. Get free admission for the first 90 days at the new Bob Hall Pier in Padre Balli County Park on Padre Island. Outside of Corpus Christi, the pier reopened on Feb. 24 after being destroyed by Hurricane Hanna in 2020. The new pier stretches 1,240 feet into the Gulf of Mexico. At the end of May, the $28.5 million project will revert to the same pricing structure that has been in place for almost 10 years. Walking the pier will cost $3 for general admission.

Other March Events GULF COAST

SpringStock Music Fest

Free music at Saint Arnold Brewery featuring Junkyard Cat, Psychedelic Maggot Engine, and many others. 

March 6-8, Houston, www.springstockmusicfest.com

Explore Houston’s central waterway with hundreds of your closest friends. Credit: Buffalo Bayou Partnership

54th Annual Buffalo Bayou Partnership Regatta 

The largest canoe and kayak race in Texas returns to Houston’s most significant natural waterway.

March 21, Houston, https://buffalobayou.org/event/2026-buffalo-bayou-partnership-regatta

Budding Out Plant Sale and Festival

The John Fairey Garden nursery and other select plant vendors offer rare plants for sale as well as a selection of artisans, food, drink, garden-related presentations, and free tours of the gardens at this annual event. 

March 28, Hempstead, https://jfgarden.org/budding-out-plant-festival

Local artists paint the bottoms of the bridges with light. Credit: Buffalo Bayou Partnership

Night Light 2026

Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Aurora Picture Show bring this free annual event of video artwork from local artists to the trails and structures along the waterway at Allen’s Landing, 8-10pm. In the case of inclement weather, this event will take place on the following Saturday, April 4, 8–10pm.

March 28, Houston, https://buffalobayou.org/event/2026-night-light

HILL COUNTRY Celebrate the red, white, and blue in Gruene. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Texas Independence Day

Celebrate this Texas holiday with a day of free festivities featuring live music, armadillo races, photo opportunities, and Texas-sized beer specials.

March 1, Gruene, www.gruenetexas.com/Texas

Stargazing With a Ranger

The moon will be in waning Gibbous phase which makes for a good time to explore the night sky with two evenings of programs in the Star Theater. 

March 6-7, Johnson City, https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/pedernales-falls

Power of The Past

A vintage car, tractor, and engine show to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the AgriCultural Museum & Arts Center.

March 7, Boerne, https://theagricultural.org/power-of-the-past

Rising Stars Over Wimberley

The Wimberley Valley Arts and Cultural Alliance present a free, youth-centric music festival celebrating the next generation of local musicians at the Emily Ann Theatre from 1–6pm.

March 29, Wimberley, WimberleyArts.org

Dip into the Llano River to see the artists’ work. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Llano Earth Arts Festival 2026

The World Rock Stacking Championship is back along the beautiful Llano River under the bridge at Grenwelge Park along with food, vendors, and music. 

March 27-29, Llano, www.llanoearthartfest.org

BLUEM 2026

Have your picture taken in a field of wildflowers while enjoying outdoor activities for all ages from a petting zoo and yard games to trying out an electric mountain bike at Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area. 

March 21, Spicewood, https://lcraparks.com/events/bluem-2026

PANHANDLE PLAINS

Heart of Texas Country Music Festival

The 37th edition of this popular festival salutes legendary Texas songwriter Cindy Walker along with a lineup of legends. 

March 19-28, Brady, https://hillbillyhits.com

PINEY WOODS Dogwoods typically reach peak blooms in mid-to-late March through early April, just in time for the Dogwood Festival. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Dogwood Festival

The festival kicks off the first of three weekends of the city’s Dogwood Trails Celebration with vendors, food, farmer’s market, artist show, kids zone, and a car, bike & truck show.

March 21, Palestine, www.palestinechamber.org/dogwood-festival

PRAIRIES AND LAKES

Troubadour Festival

Robert Earl Keen and Flatland Cavalry headline a music and barbecue extravaganza in Midtown Park. 

March 28, Bryan, https://troubadourfestival.com/bryan-home

Sherwood Forest Faire

Over 25 acres of stages, pubs, merchant shoppes, and a complete castle hosting more than 150 shows per day on weekends.

March 1-April 19, McDade, www.sherwoodforestfaire.com

Women of Texas Music Episode 1, 2, 3

Enjoy an evening of storytelling and song swapping featuring popular female musicians in listening-room environment.

March 12, 19, 26, Waco, https://texasmusiccafe.org/events

Observatory Open House

On the third Saturday of each month the Central Texas Astronomical Society welcomes guests to its Turner Research Station. There will be a short program, a tour of the observatory and, weather permitting, visitors may experience the heavens through portable telescopes.

March 21, Clifton, www.centexastronomy.org

Find that special something in Round Top. Credit: Marburger Farm

Marburger Farm Antique Show

Along with 225 dealers, the spring show unveils restored 10 historic buildings filled with merchandise, the addition of food and entertainment spaces, and a restructured layout reminiscent of a lively Texas town square.

March 24-28, Round Top, https://marburgerfarm.com

SOUTH TEXAS Join the anniversary party at the Alamo. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Battle of the Alamo Commemoration – 190th Anniversary

Honors the sacrifice made by the 32 men from Gonzales who came to the aid of the Alamo, celebrate the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence, and commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo with special events. 

March 1-2 & 6, San Antonio, www.thealamo.org/remember/commemoration

Bloodless Bullfighting

It is illegal to kill a bull in a bullfighting ring in the U.S. Instead, a symbolic “kill” is performed by the matador grabbing a flower affixed to the bull’s withers. Same exciting action as traditional bullfights. 

March 8, La Gloria, www.facebook.com/plazasantamariabullring

Celebrating 25 Years: Night of Artists 2026

This signature annual event features 85 of today’s leading and emerging contemporary Western artists and over 300 new works, including painting, sculpture, and mixed media.

March 29-May 10, San Antonio, https://briscoemuseum.org

Gerald McLeod has been traveling around Texas and beyond for his “Day Trips” column for more than 30 years. Keep up to date with his journeys on his archive page and follow him on Facebook.

The post Day Trips & Beyond: March Events Roundup appeared first on The Austin Chronicle.