Raintree Village March 2017

MARCH 2017 ROAD TRIPS AND AREA EVENTS
March 2 nd - March 4 th - World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest.
You won’t want to miss the biggest pre-party to the world’s largest
livestock show and rodeo. More than 250 teams led by barbecue
aficionados will compete in a traditional Texas cook-off. While most
team tents are invitation-only, visitors can enjoy the public venues
including the Miller Lite Garden, Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon and the
Chuck Wagon, where you receive a complimentary chopped beef
sandwich plate. Come enjoy three days of cooking, competition,
eating and dancing! The Garden, located in the center of the World’s
Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, provides live music all three
days of the contest for a fun family event. For more information,
visit www.rodeohouston.com.
March 4 th - Downtown Rodeo Parade. Every February since 1938,
the nation’s fourth largest city is transformed from a bustling
metropolis to a down-home celebration of Western heritage.
Decorative floats intermingle with thousands of men and women
on horseback to fill the streets with hoof beats and marching
bands. Enthusiastic Houstonians join out-of-town spectators to line
the streets and sidewalks to be involved in one of Houston’s most
popular celebrations! For more information on parade route, street
closures and parking, visit
www.rodeohouston.com/visit-the-show/pre-show-events/parade.
March 7 th - March 26 th - Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Rodeo
has been a tradition in Houston since 1932 and the three-week
extravaganza at NRG Park continues to consume the city every
spring. The kickoff for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is
the Rodeo Parade, after trail riders ride into town and set up camp
in Memorial Park. All 20 championship rodeo competitions are
concluded with entertainment by music superstars. It’s going to
be a star-studded lineup this year at the Houston Livestock Show
and Rodeo. Weekday performances start at 6:45 PM and weekend
performances kick off at 3:45 PM. For more information, visit
www.rodeohouston.com.
March 10 th - 12 th - River Oaks Garden Club Azalea Trail. The 82 nd
Azalea Trail heralds the beginning of Spring! Blooms of Spring
will be in full swing on March 10 th , 11 th and 12 th . The Trail kicks
off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Lazy Lane entrance of
Bayou Bend on Friday, March 10 th at 10:30 AM. This year, a ticket
to the Trail gives admission to 6 locations within the River Oaks
neighborhood, including 4 private homes and gardens, Bayou
Bend and Rienzi. A 7 th free location, also in River Oaks, is the River
Oaks Garden Club Forum of Civics where free advice from “Ask the
Experts” can be enjoyed each day and on Saturday at 2 PM, there will
be a floral demonstration with easy to repeat floral tips from one of our
talented Garden Club members! A free trolley will provide easy access
to all 6 locations of homes, gardens and house museums. For ticket
information, visit www.riveroaksgardenclub.org.
March 11 th - St. Patrick’s Day Parade Downtown Houston. The 58 th
Houston St. Patrick’s Parade is at noon on Saturday, March 11 th and
has always been a FREE event. The two-hour parade has historically
been one of the largest in the U.S. and each year includes over 100
entries to delight the Irish and Irish-at-heart. Parade starts at the
Clock Tower at Minute Maid Park on Texas and goes west-bound.
Download the Parade Route at www.hsppc.org to find the reviewing
stand, parking and after party location. Our history is a grand one
and if you would like to personally support the parade and be a part
of the year-round socials and meetings, please become a member
of our Irish 100 Club. The Houston St. Patrick’s Parade is presented
by the Houston St. Patrick’s Parade Commission. Come out and
enjoy the parade!
March 11 th - Join us for Texas’ largest canoe and kayak race - the 45 th
Annual Buffalo Bayou Partnership Regatta! Paddlers, ages 12 and
up, are encouraged to participate in the 15-mile American Canoe
Association sanctioned race along the scenic Buffalo Bayou. Whether
you are entering competitively or paddling for pleasure, you won’t
want to miss out on this longstanding Houston tradition! Those not
wanting to paddle can cheer on racers along the race route or catch
the outdoor fun at the finish line festivities at Sesquicentennial
Park (500 block of Preston Street). The Buffalo Bayou Partnership
Regatta is rain or shine. If cancellation does take place due to severe
water or weather conditions, all entry fees will support the work of
Buffalo Bayou Partnership. The event takes place from 7 AM-2 PM.
For more information, visit www.buffalobayou.org.
March 19 th - Tour de Houston Presented by Apache Corporation.
The annual bike ride offers Houstonians and visitors a unique way
to view the city with routes winding through Houston’s historic
neighborhoods, scenic districts and parks while raising funds for
the city’s Reforest Houston program. With three ride length options,
the Tour de Houston is the perfect event for leisure riders or cycling
enthusiasts. In addition, it is a BP MS 150 recommended training
ride. Riders will start and end at City Hall located at 901 Bagby. This
event begins and ends in Hermann Square at City Hall. Riders and
volunteers will enjoy a post-ride party. For more information, visit
www.houstontx.gov/tourdehouston/.
24 Raintree Village | March 2017