(NAPSA)—From the Watermelon Thump in Luling to the Heritage Syrup Festival in Henderson, the state of Texas offers visitors a wide range of quirky festivals, each designed to entice and entertain travelers. For instance, travelers can get a taste of “Texican” culture, February 19-25, 2006, in Brownsville at the Charro Days Fiesta, which celebrates the longtime friendship between Brownsville and its sister city, Matamoros, Mexico. Charro Daysis the oldest fiesta in the Rio Grande Valley and features a traditional Mexican “pachanga” with parades, dances and activities for the entire family. Travelers can also slither their way to Sweetwater in early spring to take in the World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup, March 10-12, 2006. This unique event has drawn the attention of 30,000 visitors annually from all 50 states, North and South America, Europe andAsia. If the beach is your destination, plan to attend the Texas Sandfest in Port Aransas April 7-9, 2006, and watch master sculptors from across the world compete by sculpting incredible works of art out of sand. Kick up your heels and celebrate Czech culture at the National Polka Festival in Ennis, May 26-28, 2006. Enjoy polka dancing, Czech food, parades and 13 sensational live polka bands. Celebrate 53 years of Thumpin' at Luling’s Watermelon Thump, June 22-25, 2006. This four-day celebration features everyone's favorite summer treat—watermelon. Celebrate the influence of German culture in Texas at the New Braunfels Wurstfest. Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. As fall rolls around, plan to attend the Marfa Lights Festival, September 1-3, 2006. This unique festival celebrates the mysterious lights that appear almost nightly east of town. Celebrate New Braunfel’s German heritage at Wurstfest, November 3-12, 2006. This 10-day salute to sausages will feature a variety of entertainment, food and fun on the Wurstfest Grounds in Landa Park. Wurstfest is one of the top Oktoberfest celebrations in the United States and attracts thousands of sausage-hunegry festival-goers annually. Sweeten your holiday pancakes with syrup from the Heritage Syrup Festival in Henderson, November 11, 2006. You will experience oldtime syrup making with mule power while enjoying country music, cloggers, square dancers and more. For more information on these and all unique annual festivals in Texas, visit www.traveltex.com.
