Texas:
Still cherishing the memory that it was from 1836 to 1845 an independent nation in its own right, TEXAS stands apart from the rest of the United States. While its sheer size - eight hundred miles from east to west and nearly a thousand from top to bottom - gives it a great geographical diversity, is firmly bound together by a shared history, culture and ideology. Independence is key to the Texan mentality, from the overriding distrust of government - any government - to the absence of unionized labor. As the old anti-litter campaign put it, "Don't mess with Texas."
Preconceived ideas about what exactly is "Texan" are soon shattered. It's actually one of the most eclectic and cosmopolitan states in the Union and each of the major tourist destinations has its own distinct character. Hispanic San Antonio , for example, with its Mexican population and historic importance, has a laid-back feel absent from the big-city neurosis of Houston or Dallas , while trendy Austin revels in a lively music scene and intellectualism found nowhere else in the state.
Regional differences are vast. The swampy, forested east is more like Louisiana than the pretty Hill Country or the agricultural plains of the Panhandle , and the tropical Gulf Coast has little in common with the mountainous deserts of the west. Changes in climate are equally dramatic: snow is common on the Panhandle, whereas the humidity of Houston, in particular, is only made bearable by nonstop high-power air conditioning.
One thing shared by the whole of Texas is the constant boasting - everything has to be bigger and better than anywhere else. Such chauvinism is tempered both by a delight in self-parody and by the state's melting pot of cultures. The much-cited Texan friendliness is not imaginary; to be unwelcoming would simply be unpatriotic. Texas is, after all, named for a Native American word meaning friend, tejas , and a visit here, especially to the Panhandle or the Hill Country, is not for those who want to be alone.
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March 1-7 - Arlington
State Leadership Conference
Business Professionals of Americal Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way.
March 6 - Austin
Zilker Park Kite Festival
Zilker Park. One of the nation’s oldest kite-flying events draws thousands of professional and amateur kite-flyers.
www.zilkerkitefestival.com
March 9-10 - Arlington
Expo, Inc - DFW Industrial Show
Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way
March 9-13 - Arlington
Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference
Texas Education Agency. Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way
March 10-15 - Arlington
Texas Professional Photographers Association
Annual Convention & Trade Show. Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way.
March 11-16 - Austin
Barton Creek Austin Canadian Tour Pro-Am Classic
Barton Creek Resort & Spa will be the host site for Canadian Golf Tour events. The second event, the Barton Creek Classic tournament, takes place at the resort’s award-winning Fazio Foothills course.
March 11-20 - Austin
South by Southwest
Austin Convention Center and more than 50 venues. Talented, filmmakers, musicians and multi-media artists from around the world gather to showcase music, film and interactive.
March 12-13 - Austin
Heart of Texas Regatta
Town Lake. The Austin Rowing Club brings in more than 1,000 competitors from around the country. Many top college programs compete as well.
www.austinrowing.org/regattas/heart/
March 12-26
Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo
Travis County Exposition Center. Austin goes cowboy as PCRA competitors hit the arena and area students exhibit prize livestock. Headline entertainment is also scheduled.
March 23 - Bandera
3rd Annual Wild Hog Explosion
Event features team competition for all age levels in wild hog catching, pork rib cook-off, hog kissing contest, arts & crafts, carnival, piggy pictures. Also features an All Bike Rally with Hill Country Poker Run. Benefits Bandera County Kronkosky Library. Mansfield Park. $5.00 for adults; $3.00 for children 3 to 12. Military Free.
www.wildhogexplosion.com
March 17- Arlington
26th Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration
Experience for yourself why 3,000 people flock to this annual St. Patrick's Day of festivities! The party features music by country band Tommy Alverson, Celtic performances, Irish step dancers, food and yes, lots of green beer. Music starts at 4PM inside and 7PM outside under the tent. Cover charge is $6. J. Gilligan's Bar and Grill, 400 E. Abram St.
March 18-20 - Arlington
Country Peddler Show
Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way.
www.peddlershow.com
March 25-26 - Arlington
Christian Youth Weekend Concert Series
Six Flags Over Texas Music Mill Amphitheatre. Audio Adrenaline with guests KJ-57, Hawk Nelson and Toby Mac will be performing. On Saturday, Mercy Me with guests Monk & Neagle, The Afters and Jeremy Camp will be performing. Both shows begin at 7 p.m. Tickets $8 each plus park admission and are available at www.ticketmaster.com and all TicketMaster outlets. You may also charge tickets by phone at 214-373-8000. Groups may also purchase tickets at 817-607-6150.
March 30 - Arlington
World's Best Technologies
Trade Show. Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way.
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