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Palestine, TX 75801
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5 Annual Events that Will Keep You Coming Back to Palestine, TX
By Hunter Lanier
It doesn’t get much better than having a reliable getaway spot. It’s almost like having a second home where work and responsibilities don’t exist—both a refreshing place to escape to and a comfortable place to return to.
With its wide variety of yearly events, Palestine is well-positioned to become just that kind of spot for you. Check out the list below for some of the best events in Palestine, TX you can keep coming back to every year.
Dogwood Trails Celebration
For over 80 years, Palestine has been putting on the Dogwood Trails Celebration. As the name suggests, this celebration is centered around the unique beauty of the Dogwood trees in the 254-acre Davey Dogwood Park. It runs during the last two weeks of March and the first weekend of April, when the Dogwoods are at their blossoming best.
Included in the celebration are a whole slew of events, such as the Old Time Music and Dulcimer Festival, a mellow folk music festival centered around jamming with americana staples like the banjo, autoharp, and concertina. For admiring the Dogwoods on the go, think about taking a ride on the Annual Dogwood Lunch Train, a four-hour expedition that comes with appetizers, lunch, and drinks.
The more creative among you will be pleased to know that the Fairy Garden Trails happen every year during the Dogwood Celebration. At this event, you’re able to build your very own fairy garden along the public trail at Dogwood Park for all to see. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the Community Rock Snake, a trail of painted rocks that anyone can add to!
Of course, we have to mention the Dogwood Festival, which kicks off the entire celebration. Set in Downtown Palestine, you’ll find live music, art, locally made products, activities for the kids, and plenty of food to keep you energized.
Wiggy Thump
If you’re looking for southern rock straight from the tap, your search has come to a most glorious end. Every year, Palestine-native rock band, Whiskey Myers, hosts their very own music festival called Wiggy Thump. With Whiskey Myers as the headliners, the lineup includes a who’s-who of up-and-coming artists.
Located at the Anderson County Youth Livestock Arena, the Wiggy Thump festival will play on, rain or shine. There will be vendors and food trucks aplenty, so feel free to bring an appetite and some spending cash!
Neches River Wilderness Challenge
Some people go on vacation to kick back and do a heavy helping of absolutely nothing, but others seek excitement. And there’s no greater excitement than competition. If that sounds like you, the Neches River Wilderness Race in August will help you scratch that competitive itch.
The rules are simple. Each race is split into two groups: one for pro racers and the other for the less experienced. To give the less experienced a fair shot, they’ll get a one-hour head start on the pro racers. The total distance for the race is 22 miles with two checkpoints and water stations along the way.
At the end of the race, all contestants will be greeted by a most beautiful sight: burgers, cold drinks, and watermelon. Stuffed to the gills with burgers and watermelon, everyone goes home a winner.
Faire of Champions
Gallop back in time to an age of chivalry, flagons of ale, and outfits only limited by your imagination. At the Faire of Champions in Palestine, you’ll get to live out all your medieval dreams exploring bespoke shops, artisan eats, and live performances you can’t find anywhere else. Your local concert hall probably doesn’t feature Floki, Viking orator, spinning epic yarns of Norse mythology.
Each season takes place from early January to early February, totaling five weekends, each of which with its own theme. Some will be traditional renaissance fair themes, while others will be themed around sci-fi or steampunk.
As part of the season, the fairgrounds will be available for camping—both for tents and RVs. In addition, guild camping is available, which allows for a private campsite for guilds of at least 15 members.
Polar Express Train Ride
Come Christmastime, the ways to celebrate can sometimes start to feel routine: tree lightings, parades, ice-skating, and those same three movies you watch every year. Pumpkin spice things up this December with the Polar Express Train Ride in Palestine, Texas!
All to the soundtrack from The Polar Express film, families hop aboard the train at the Palestine Depot for a journey to the North Pole. Passengers are treated to hot chocolate and cookies, as well as a recitation of The Polar Express children’s book. When you arrive at the Noh Pole, none other than Santa Claus himself boards the train to give everyone an early Christmas present.
Always a Celebration in Palestine, TX
Finding an event that lines up perfectly with the time you have off can be a struggle. Thankfully, Palestine comes to the rescue with a diverse lineup of events throughout the year.
It doesn’t matter if you’re taking the whole family to the Polar Express, going on a couple’s getaway to Wiggy Thump, or soloing it to the Faire of Champions to make some new friends, Palestine, TX will be waiting for you all year long.
If you’re ready to start planning your trip today, take a peek at some of Palestine’s comfiest accommodations.
About the Author: Hunter Lanier is the head writer and content specialist for Tour Texas. When he isn’t writing about the many great places in the state of Texas, he’s writing books and screenplays. He may or may not own an armadillo in the future.
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