FAMILY FUN
Easter is almost here and every child’s favorite bunny will be making appearances this weekend. Balanced Nutrition San Marcos will be hosting a Spring Festival. This is a family friendly fun event occurring from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Make sure the kiddos are dressed in their cutest pastel duds because the Easter Bunny will be there to take photos, which will be free and emailed within a few days after the event. Parking will be available at Bonham Elementary. There will be vendors, music, games and crafts for the little ones. This afternoon starting at 5:30 p.m. Crockett Elementary, located at 1300 Girard Ave, will be having Camp Crockett 2024. This is a family field day event with the usual “summer camp” games like tug-of-war, three legged races, kayak carry races and crafts. You can pre-register at this link: forms.gle/1XgLqrTMn16wLHqk8. It’s $5 per person or $20 for families or groups of four or more. There will be food available for purchase.
THE HUNTS BEGIN
You can really tell that spring is here in Central Texas. The blue bonnets are out in full force, the weather is as erratic as a novice tuber going over Rio Vista Falls and there is a fun event planned in every corner of the county.
Here in San Marcos, it is hard to beat the 3rd annual Heritage Association of San Marcos Easter Egg Hunt at Veramendi Plaza Park. Beyond the awesome egg hunt, which comes along with a chance for real prizes for kids like bicycles or fishing poles, I also love the opportunity for our community to get acquainted with a bit of its history. While most people know the beautiful gazebo or have eaten lunch at the Charles S. Cock House during a Cottage Kitchen, but many don’t know the Merriman Cabin, which was built in 1846 for Dr. Eli Merriman, who was one of the founders of the city and the first physician in San Marcos. It was moved from its original location close to the Square, where the Goodyear Tire is located, in 1960 to Aquarena Springs. It was moved to its current location for preservation by the Heritage Association in 2001. The Easter Egg Hunt is on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
ECLIPSE PREPARATION
On Saturday, my husband and I are planning to drive out into the Hill Country to scope out country road locations along the path of totality for the total eclipse on April 8. Following the advice of astrophysicist Torvald Hessel, we are planning ahead for the experience, and while we’re at it, we intend to stop for a burger and fries from Savage’s at The Junction, right before we split off to FM32 in search of the ideal eclipse viewing spot.
Downtown San Marcos offers several fun things to do on Sunday, including a Spring Market at Railyard Bar & Grill. The market will feature local vendors and table games in a pet- and family-friendly space. This market will run from noon to 5 p.m. And while you’re downtown, might as well mosey on over to A Brunch of Drag at The Davenport, where local Queen Eileen Dover and friends will be celebrating National Cocktail Day with seasonal cocktails/ mocktails and $15 mimosa carafes. Don’t forget to reverse your table via Davenport’s Facebook page; on drag show days, the patio area fills up quick.
The San Marcos Daily Record staff gives recommendations on what to do in our community
San Marcos fans of the bright stage lights of big Broadway shows are in for a year-long treat with the Broadway in Austin 2024-2025 Season. Presented by Texas Performing Arts, next year’s season will include four Austin premieres and the return of five audience favorites.
Dear Readers, Happy St. Patrick’s Day! This holiday just might be a tie for third place among my favorite holidays: (1) Halloween (2) New Year’s Eve and (3) My Birthday and/or St. Patrick’s Day. Perhaps I feel a deeper connection due to my name that not only means “Warrior Woman,” but Kelly is also a shade of green.
Pictured are Gary Job Corps Security Cadets; Joey Brown, Jason Brown, Thomas Bustos, Lizeth Marcos, James Gluth, Instructor Capt. Paul Tristan, from Founders of the Mistick Krew of Okeanos; Wayne Kramer, Diane Baker, Dr. James Baker and Parade Chair Molly Ann Rosas-Garcia.
Photos submitted by Randolph Goodman
The Gary Job Corps Security and Corrections Cadets have assisted with traffic and crowd control for numerous events.
TUNES, TALISMANS & TERRAIN
If you feel like listening to some relaxing tunes, at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at the San Marcos Public Library the SMART Orchestra will be hosting In the Moonlight, which they said will feature “peaceful and serene music that embodies the beauty and wonder of the night sky.” That sure does sound lovely. Then on Sunday, if you’re down to save the earth while you craft a nice piece for yourself to take home or give to a loved one, the Price Center will be hosting an Upcycled Tin Talisman workshop from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. The tickets to join are $88, which you can buy here adaptivereuser. com/collections/classes/products/talisman-workshop-march-17th-2024. You can check out some of the ones that have been made in the past that are super cute at that same link. Don’t forget to wear green unless you’re in the mood for a pinch because it will be St. Patrick's Day. After you make your talisman, head over to your favorite bar off the square for a green beer (most participate in this way). For my fellow bikers, the Cowboy Harley Davidson Alamo City is hosting a ride at 11 a.m. on Sunday that starts at the IHOP behind the Rolling Oaks Mall in San Antonio and ends at Sean Patricks in San Marcos.
A BLOCK PARTY & GREEN BEER
St. Patrick’s Day just wouldn’t be green in San Marcos without the annual St.
Patty’s Day Block Party at Sean Patricks. The resident Irish bar throws one heck of a party all weekend, and the festivities are still planned, even if the weather tries to fight back this weekend.
The weekend kicks off Friday evening with a crawfish boil and live music at 7 p.m. Then things go to an entirely different level on Saturday and Sunday.
San Antonio Street will be shut down in front of the bar and restaurant to allow for a lot more fun. This familyfriendly event will have dunk tanks for kids, cotton candy machines and live professional wrestling. The entire day runs from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Then on Sunday, the street will be closed down once again. There will be additional fun activities available including an inflatable obstacle course and ax throwing.
The bands that will play over the weekend include Old Malarkey, the Ace Pepper Band, Troy Stone, Bryan Rader and Moira McCulloch. Closing out the night will be Free Mary, an Irish Band from San Antonio that is planned to go on stage about 9 p.m.
CRAWFISH, CONCERTS & LITTLE GREEN MEN
A hush falls over the town during Spring Break as most of the students have all gone somewhere that is else for the week. Downtown bars and restaurants normally teeming with energy now have a quieter vibe, even with St. Patrick’s Day falling on Sunday. However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of fun things to do around town this weekend. First up this Friday, stop by Jack’s Roadhouse for crawfish and shrimp étouffée starting at 4 p.m. and going until they’re all sold out. Continue your evening with the KZSM Benefit Concert at The Porch. Featuring Waylon Stoerner, Sarah Burton, David Newbould and more, there’s a $5 cover with doors opening at 6 p.m. Continue St. Patrick’s Day festivities on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Roughhouse. This event will feature live music by the Calloway Ritch Duo from noon to 3 p.m. Finish the weekend at Wake the Dead as Cursed Movie Nights presents the classic horror film “Leprechaun” at 7 p.m., right on time for St. Patrick’s celebrations.
The San Marcos Daily Record staff gives recommendations on what to do in our community
Have you wondered, ‘What the heck is going on with my body?’ Have you or someone you know been through — or maybe you’re currently going through — the menopause transition and now you feel lost? Have you been told that you’re “too young” to be going through menopause? Have you felt like there is no hope as you age, and the symptoms of menopause are just some miserable process we get to deal with as women?
A pair of Saffron-headed Tanagers share a little lunch near a small restaurant along the Jardin-Riosucio route. It is still a long way to get to Mirador Roble if you are walking, so consider the afternoon bus from Jardin to get there if finding Tapaculo and Antpitta is your principal objective.
Photos by Justin Harris
Birding adventures require an expert guide in Mirador Robles
(512) 392-2458
P.O. Box 1109, San Marcos, TX 78666