TEXAS (KAMR/KCIT) - From parades to professional sandcastle building, local fruit harvests and historical re-enactments, communities around Texas have been preparing to celebrate the coming of spring with festive flair. Credited to the size and diversity of the Lone Star State, tourists and home -grown fun-seekers in Texas can find unique flavors of spring festivals and community events in every corner of the state. Here's a look at a few of the numerous events happening this spring around the regions of Texas. Panhandle-Plains Amarillo World Championship Blacksmiths Competition - April 9-12 The World Championship Blacksmiths Competition evolved from horseshoeing competitions held at venues with the horse-owning public to show and educate about farriers, according to the WCB. Its event in Amarillo in April will be held among the events listed for the West Texas Ranch Rodeo at the Amarillo National Center. West Texas Ranch Rodeo - April 11-12 The West Texas Ranch Rodeo is set to showcase ranching skills with teams from across the region in competitions such as bronc riding, team sorting, wild cow milking, team doctoring and steer racing. The WTRR events are among others scheduled to begin on April 6, including the National Anthem Contest, the World Championship Blacksmiths Competition and the ANC Vendor Show. What to do, where to stay if you get stuck overnight in Amarillo National Intercollegiate Ranch and Stock Horse Association Show - April 14-16 The National Intercollegiate Ranch and Stock Horse Association Show will bring together collegiate riders to participate in ranching and stock-handling events such as reining, cow work, and trail. Two go-rounds of competitions will be held at the Tri-State Fairgrounds with several prizes available. Abilene Outlaws and Legends Music Fest - March 21-22 Known locally as "The Biggest One-Stage Event in Texas," the Outlaws and Legends Music Fest is set to feature a songwriter competition as well as an artist lineup including Clint Black, Ella Langley, Don Felder, The Wallflowers, Bri Bagwell and Zac Wilkerson. Eastland Rip's Ribs Cookoff, Wine Festival, and Jazz Festival - April 12 While Eastland is well-known around Texas for its annual RipFest in honor of the community's long-storied local mascot, Old Rip Square also hosts other events throughout the year. In April, Rip's Ribs Cookoff, Wine Festival, and Jazz Festival will offer food, fun and entertainment to community members with participants from around the region. Lubbock Lubbock Arts Festival - April 12-13 The City of Lubbock is set to host its 47th annual Lubbock Arts Festival in April in celebration of art and sustainability with its "reNEW!" theme. Visitors will be able to enjoy art exhibits, performances, demonstrations, and other family-friendly activities and attractions. Newcastle Crawfish and Cannons - April 12 Historic Fort Belknap will host its eighth annual Crawfish and Cannons event in April with a crawfish boil, live cannon fire, vendors, armadillo races, and live music. The event will also be held in conjunction with the Texas Forts Trail Wine Festival. Big Bend Country Alpine Spirits of the West: Wine, Spirits, Brews, and Beef Fest - April 25-26 The Brewster County Courthouse Grounds will host the Spirits of the West: Wine, Spirits, Brews, and Beef Fest in April to celebrate winemakers, spirit distillers, and brew masters along with beef producers and chefs from around the state. Del Rio Birding the Border - May 1-4 Texas birders will be able to gather in May for the Birding the Border Festival at the Amistad National Recreation Area, where visitors will have opportunities to birdwatch on private and other restricted-access properties. El Paso El Paso Comic Con - April 11-13 The El Paso Comic Con in April will be held at the El Paso Convention Center and feature celebrity guest panels, photo ops, competitions, cosplay, special events and other activities. Fort Davis Dark Skies Festival - April 21-26 McDonald Observatory is set to celebrate West Texas' famous dark skies in April with presentations, tours, star parties and other activities. Events are set to be held at McDonald Observatory and locations throughout Alpine, Marfa and other nearby communities. As noted in previous reports, Big Bend Country in Texas is home to several areas internationally recognized as among the best places to stargaze in the world. Where are the best places to see stars in Texas? Top options in every region Hill Country Austin ABC Kite Fest - April 6 Standing as the oldest kite festival in the United States, the ABC Kite Fest in Austin is set to fill the city's skyline with hundreds of kites in April. The festival will also host a weekend showcase and contest during the 2025 event. Moontower Just For Laughs Comedy Festival - April 9-19 The Moontower Just For Laughs Comedy Festival will run in April and feature local comics as well as fan favorites and up-and-coming talents. Organizers noted the festival will run for two weeks and include more than 20 headliners as well as numerous other comics. Georgetown Red Poppy Festival - April 25-27 Georgetown is set to host its 26th annual festival as the Red Poppy Capital of Texas, celebrating the history of the city's poppy season. The festival is set to take place in and around the town square with live music and performances, local vendors, food and activities. Additionally, a parade will take place Saturday morning and pass through the town square. Llano Fiddle Fest - April 5-6 The annual Fiddle Fest and Open Fiddle Contest and Concert will take place in Llano from April 5-6, including youth, senior, open and accompanist divisions. A concert and dance on Saturday evening will be the only portion of the event requiring purchased tickets, while the competition will be free to attend. San Marcos Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest - May 9-18 As the Mermaid Capital of Texas, made official in 2021, San Marcos is set to host its eighth-annual Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest in May after moving the date for the benefit of cooler weather. Prairies and Lakes Arlington PBR World Finals - May 16-18 The official PBR World Finals: Unleash the Beast competition is set to be held in Arlington in May, accompanied by other programming in Fort Worth. LIST: A look at the lesser-known, most historic places to sleep in Texas Chappell Hill Official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas - April 12-13 Known as the Bluebonnet Capital of Texas, the city of Chappell Hill is set to host the Official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas in April. The event is set to feature more than 400 vendors, food, live music and a range of family activities. Dale Old Settler's Music Festival - April 24-27 The Old Settler's Music Festival in Dale has become a four-day, nationally known event since its inception in 1987. The 38th annual festival is set to include local and national favorites including Tony Kamel & Kym Warner, Steel Betty, Sister Sadie, Wild Child, Harvest Thieves, Jeff Plankenhorn and others. The event will also feature family-friendly activities, food offerings and partially electrified campgrounds. Ennis Bluebonnet Trails - April 1-30 Home to the official Texas Bluebonnet Trail and designated as the Official Bluebonnet City of Texas, Ennis will host its month-long Bluebonnet Trails event in April. Additionally, the community will hold its three-day Bluebonnet Trails Festival from April 11-13 and feature food and vendors. Piney Woods Huntsville General Sam Houston Day - April 26 The Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library will host General Sam Houston Day in April, offering visitors access to historical demonstrations, hands-on activities, music and historical tours. Jefferson Historic Jefferson Pilgrimage - May 1-4 The Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club is set to present its 78th Historic Jefferson Pilgrimage in May, featuring historic home tours, the "Diamond Bessie" murder trial play, exhibits, a parade, tours of Jay Gould's private rail car, and other activities. Linden Wildflower Trails of Texas - April 25-26 The Wildflower Trails of Texas festival is set to return for its 55th year as a tri-city celebration with Linden, Avinger and Hughes Springs. Each town is set to have unique activities including art shows, hot dog eating contests, parades and live performances. South Texas Plains Helotes Cornyval and PRCA Rodeo - May 1-4 The annual Cornyval and PRCA Rodeo event is set to feature the PRCA Rodeo, a cornhole tournament, corn-eating contests, a carnival midway and other activities for attendees. Poteet Strawberry Festival - April 11-13 The annual Strawberry Festival has its own dedicated festival grounds in Poteet - the Strawberry Capital of Texas - and is set to feature nationally known Western and Tejano music stars, gunslingers, a carnival, rodeo performances and other activities. San Antonio Fiesta San Antonio - April 24 - May 4 Fiesta San Antonio began in 1891 as a one-parade event in honor of the soldiers of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. In 2025, it's set to have festivities organized by more than 100 local nonprofit organizations to fundraise for community programs. MAP: A look at the giant roadside cowboys of Texas Gulf Coast Beaumont South Texas State Fair - March 27 - April 6 More than 250 booths of fair food, a livestock show, carnival rides, art shows, stunt shows and live music and entertainment are set to welcome guests to the South Texas State Fair in Beaumont in 2025. Corpus Christi Buc Days Festival - May 1-11 After the mayor of Corpus Christi walks the plank in May, the Buc Days Festival will offer a pirate-themed variety of activities, shopping, parades, food competitions and rodeo championship events. Port Aransas Texas SandFest - April 25-27 Texas-sized feats of sand art and architecture are set to grace the shores of Port Aransas in April during the annual Texas SandFest, known as the largest master sand-sculpting competition in the United States. ...read more read less