Does anyone else have Spring fever? The weather in Austin is already warm and the intoxicating scent of Mountain Laurel fills the air luring us to enjoy all that Austin has to offer while much of the rest of the country digs out of the snow.
Austinites celebrate spring here with a variety of festivals, and March madness takes on a life of its own Austin style. Here are 10 things I love about March in Austin!
1. The Crawfish Festival and Fresh Oysters at Pappadeaux. Last night we ate two dozen oysters and a pound of crawfish for $15. Get there early because there is always a big crowd!
2. Rodeo Austin. From mutton busting (the most hysterical event ever!), bull riding and rodeo clowns to some of the country's best countrty singers, the rodeo is always a blast. In addition to the rodeo, there is also a carnival and local students raise and auction their animals to get scholarship money for college. Great fun for the whole family!
3. The Zilker Kite Flying Contest. Always held the first Sunday of March, this festival is over 80 years old. Zillions of kites of all shapes and sizes fill the air and prizes are given in a number of categories. This year the day was cold and windy, but kite lovers from mile around sent their creations soaring.
4. South by Southwest Music and Film Festival. Thousands of people descend on Austin for a week of the best music, film, food and fun in the country. Hundreds of bands come from near and far, some from overseas, to entertain the crowds in hopes of discovery. Every music venue in town is booked all day and into the wee hours of the night, some of it free, to showcase these artists.
5. Wildflower Days at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. March and April are the most beautiful months to visit this jewel located in Southwest Austin. Visitors can take tours, learn to plant xeriscape gardens, check out the artist's shows or purchase plants. This is another great place to visit with children.
6. The Capitol 10K. I have already started warming up for this fabulous Austin tradition where young and old (an 80+ year old man last year finished the race last year!) start at the Congress Avenue Bridge and run, jog or power walk their way downtown and through some of Austin's most beautiful views of Lady Bird Lake, the flowering peach trees and the hills to the finish along the Lake. Participants dress in crazy costumes and bands from all over serenade runners along the course. Don't miss it!
7. University of Texas Baseball. Nothing is more fun on a mild March day than heading out to Disch Faulk Field to watch Longhorn baseball. We have had season tickets on the first base side for almost 30 years. We almost always have a ranked team. This year we started the season at #2. Of course the ultimate goal is to get a place among the best at the College World Series in Omaha. We never miss it! Let me know if you would like to see a Longhorn game.
8. St. Patrick's Day. Everyone is Irish in Austin on St. Patrick's Day! Irish music and and everything else Irish can be found at many of the restaurants all over town, but for authentic fun go to Fado's Irish Pub on W. 4th, B. D. Riley's Pub on E. 6th, Mother Egan's Irish Pub on W. 6th or Maggie Mae's on 6th, most recently famous for the casting call of the next Real World series.
9. Austin Music Awards. The kick off event of SXSW, this is the biggest night in Austin Music and is sponsored by the Austin Chronicle, Austin's alternative newspaper and KSGR Radio. Chronicle readers vote on their favorite musicians and they are honored at this popular event at the newly renovated Austin Music Hall. This annual event benefits the SIMS Foundation.
10. Daylight Savings Time. Yes, March is the month that we spring forward and gain another hour of daylight. I love it because I don't have to fight afternoon traffic while I show property. I figure that it adds at least two hours to my work day!
Posted by Laura Duggan, West Austin Properties, on March 8, 2009. For more information about any of these events, please give me a call. I can share my first-hand experiences with you from a native Austinite's perspective! As always, if you know someone who needs the services of a good Realtor, please refer them to us. We are passionate about Austin and our service!
