-
The 41st Bluebonnet Festival returns to Burnet April 12–14. File photo
By Erin Herndon •
Contributing Writer
Wildflower admirers, live music lovers, and parade enthusiasts alike, rejoice! The
41st Bluebonnet Festival returns to Burnet April 12–14. Visitors can visit over 300 vendor booths, participate in myriad activities and enjoy live music including Saturday night’s headliner Kolby Cooper. It kicks off 5 p.m., Thursday, April 11, with Family Night at Mighty Thomas Carnival on the corner of Boundary and League Streets.
The opening ceremonies begin 5:30 p.m., Friday, April 12, at the courthouse square’s main stage. Multiple activities occur beforehand, starting with all you can eat pancakes served by Kiwanis at Valley Lodge #175, 311 South Main Street, from 6 a.m.-1 p.m.
Wildflower Show and Arts&Crafts
Other afternoon activities include the Native Wildflower Show from 2-5 p.m. on the corner of Washington and Main Street, the XLR8 & Co. Biergarten on Jackson Street from 3-8 p.m., the Mighty Thomas Carnival on the corner of Boundary and League Streets from 3-11 p.m. as well as Arts and Crafts vendors on the square and a Food Court available on Jackson Street from 3-8 p.m.
Airshow, Dance and Pet Parade
Visitors can later savor a flyover by the Highland Lakes Commemorative Air
Force squadron, followed by the Pet Parade sponsored by Luedecke Photography on the historic square at 5:45 p.m. The night ends with free live music and street dancing from 6-10 p.m. with All Hat No Cadillac at the Jackson Street Stage and Dysfunkshun Junkshun at the main stage.
Saturday, April 13, starts with a 7:45 a.m. fun run. The YMCA of the Highland Lakes hosts a 5K, 10K, Kids K and Senior 2K starting at the main stage. Register at the stage or online, https://bluebonnetfestival.org/.
Vendors and Car Show
Arts and Crafts Vendors and the Food Court will be present from 9:00 a.m. to 6
p.m. and 11 p.m., respectively. Also at 9 a.m., visitors can attend a 42 Tournament at the Rodeo Grounds’ Houston Clinton Meeting Room, the Highland Lakes Birding and Wildlife Show on the corner of Washington and Main Street or the Lake Area Rod & Classic Car Display at Hamilton Creek Park. At 10 a.m., adults can visit the XLR8 & Co. Biergarten or families can enjoy children’s activities on the square.
Bicycle Contest and Carnival
The Children’s Bluebonnet Bicycle Decorating Contest occurs on the north side of the square at 10:30 a.m., immediately preceding the Hill Country Flyer arriving at the historic train depot, the Studio 29 Dance Center performance at the main stage and the Mighty Thomas Carnival on the corner of Boundary and League, all at 11 a.m. The Bluebonnet Festival Grand Parade starts in the square at 12 p.m., along with the Cocktail Garden on East Jackson Street.
Music and Old West Show
Saturday’s live music acts on the main stage include: Ben Watson & The Hired Guns, 1 p.m.; Clickety Cloggers Dance Club, 2:30 p.m.; Joel Tucker Band, 3:30 p.m.; Braedon Barnhill, 8:15 p.m. and Kolby Cooper at 9:45 p.m. Western Playboys and Robin Mordecal play at the Jackson Street Stage at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., respectively.
Other activities include the YMCA Corn Hole Tournament, 2 p.m. at Bill’s Burgers; the Burnet Gunfighter’s Shoot-Out, at 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at Old West Town by the Jackson Street train tracks; the departure of the Hill Country Flyer from the train depot at 3 p.m.; and the Demolition Derby, 5:30 p.m. at the Burnet County Fairgrounds.
Praise on the Square
Sunday, there will be a contemporary praise and worship service in the square from 9-11 a.m. The food court on Jackson Street and vendors in the square will be running from 11-4 p.m. The Mighty Thomas Carnival returns to the corner of Boundary and League from noon-6 p.m.
Weiner Dog Race and Live Music
Live music acts for the day include the Four Wiseman, 11:30 a.m. on the main stage and Allen Ray, noon on the Jackson Street Stage.
The festival ends with the Gary Wideman State Farm Insurance Annual Wiener Dog Race from 1-3 p.m. in front of the main stage.
Interested in attending? Visit https://bluebonnetfestival.org/ for more information.
