Turkey Day is Nearly Here!

 

Thanksgiving in Washington County is just like Thanksgiving anywhere in America - a celebration of family, friends, giving thanks, and eating turkey! :-)

Whether you're visiting, passing through or just don't want to cook, here are some great options for you...

• Ernie's in Downtown Brenham is serving Thanksgiving lunch from 11-3 on Thursday. Reservations are recommended - please call 979-836-7545 to reserve your table!
• The Cannery Kitchen is just east of the downtown Brenham square on Alamo Street. They will be open for lunch and serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Reservations are not needed. The meal is actually served free of charge, but donations are welcome.
• Denny's is open 24/7/365 and will more than likely have turkey & dressing in addition to their regular menu. Located in front of La Quinta on Hwy 36 South.
• Applebee's is open this year from 10:30am till 2am - that's right, all day! You can stop by there for lunch, dinner, or a late night snack and choose anything from their regular menu. Located at the exit off of Hwy 290 East & 36 South.

 

After dinner you can enjoy a movie at Westwood Cinema 6, located on Hwy 290 West.

Friday is usually a shopping day, but around here you can also enjoy special attractions like playing arcade games or laser tag at Horseshoe Junction, "GET LOST!" in the corn maze at Brazos Valley Maize, learn a little history at Washington-on-the-Brazos.

And in case you just have to go shopping, a lot of our downtown shops will be open and even having sales!

If you want to plan a Thanksgiving Getaway, we have many lodging options to choose from - hotels/motels, bed and breakfasts, cabins, resorts and even RV camping. Several B&Bs are even offering special deals!

Whatever you do this Thanksgiving, we hope you have a safe and fun holiday!

5 on FRIDAY: Nov 22-24, 2013

It's nearly Thanksgiving, can you believe it?! The trees are changing more yellow, orange and red every day and the weather is hot one day and cold the next, but all of that just makes it more fun. And speaking of fun, there is a TON of it waiting for you this weekend. Let's get to it!

Holiday Home Tour

1) Holiday Home Tour & Trunk Show. If you've ever wanted to see the Giddings Stone Mansion, now is your chance! For $15 you can shop at the Trunk Show inside the Mansion on Saturday & Sunday from 10-5 and tour the mansion and several other historic homes in Brenham both days from 1-4. Tickets are available at the Mansion.

2) Civil War Weekend at Liendo Plantation - Once a year history comes to life at this historic site. Come out to the Plantation in Hempstead for Civil War reenactments, demonstrations, food, and more! DETAILS

3) Live music is happening at various locations FRIDAY & SATURDAY.

Civil War Weekend

4) Corn Maze - only 4 days left to enjoy the corn maze, pumpkin patch, cow train and more. Open Sat 10-9, Sun 1-7. The last two days of the season will be Nov 29 and 30.

5) There's a Shopping Soiree happening in Downtown Brenham. Hermann Furniture and The Pomegranate is hosting a special holiday shopping experience for you with munchies, drinks, music and great items for everyone on your list! Hurry over, there's only 33 days left till Christmas!

Oh, and as an added bonus, Branded Boutique is having their grand opening in Downtown Brenham on Saturday! On Main Street, right after the Visitor Center, you'll find all kinds of unique clothing and accessories, giveaways, food and more from 10-7.

Have a great time and we'll see you soon!

NOTE: Carnival at the Dog Park has been cancelled due to weather. Hearth Cooking School has also been cancelled due to instructor illness. Both events will be rescheduled, so stay tuned!

5 on FRIDAY: Nov 15-17, 2013

Bluebonnet Pottery works of art - wine goblets & chili bowls

1) Wine & Pottery Celebration! This Saturday make your way to Bluebonnet Pottery to choose your very own handmade wine goblet. After admiring the pottery and buying your goblet ($15 and up), drive through the countryside to Windy Winery where you will fill up your goblet with delicious wines made especially for this occasion. Enjoy sipping your wine on the deck as you relax. Chili will also be available if you want some yummy lunch. The Celebration is Saturday from 10-5 and handmade goblets are only available at Bluebonnet Pottery.

2) Republic of Texas Militia Muster - A living history encampment. Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 10-1 at Washington-on-the-Brazos

LIVE and FREE handbell holiday concert in Brenham

3) Live Music - Fri & Sat night you can find bands playing at Nathan's BBQ, The Stone Cellar, Buffalo Creek and The Kenney Store. Check our website for details on the night you want to go out.

This weekend there will also be a live handbell choir concert, "Ringing in the Seasons." This annual concert is offered free to the public by community handbell choirs. All choirs play together and individually, bringing you holiday songs to welcome Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.

4) Corn Maze! Only three weeks left of the maze this year. Grab the family and make an afternoon or evening of it. Open Sat 10am-9pm and Sun 1-7pm. www.Brazos Valley Maize.com

5) 19th Century Superstitions & Old Wives' Tales. This program will be at Washington-on-the-Brazos this Sunday. Presentations will be at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm

Community events going on this weekend:

6th Annual Texas Recycles Day in Brenham - Friday from 8-5 at the Brenham Recycling Center on Market Street. Grab your paper, plastics, aluminum and more and take it to the recycling center. The first 500 recyclers will receive a FREE 14-gallon recycling bin.

Bluebonnet Reseeding Project at Giddings Stone Mansion in Brenham Saturday morning. Washington County Chamber staff and Board members as well as Keep Washington County Beautiful partners will be spreading seeds in the field in front of the Mansion starting around 9am.

Camptown Cemetery Cleanup - Saturday. Locals, historians, veterans and community minded folks will be gathering behind Alton Elementary School to help clean up our historic Camptown Cemetery. Members of the Rolling Thunder motorcycle club will be coming from Houston chapters to help as well.

FUN Beyond Brenham:

Formula 1 racing in Austin is a full weekend rush! Tickets are still available for as low as $89 and some change. Brenham has affordable lodging available for those who wish to attend a race, but don't want to drive all the way home! Get race tickets and Reserve a room now!

Remember, this is just a sampling of all the things going on in the area. Besides the events, Brenham and Washington County boasts a lot of historical sites, fun attractions, unique shopping, delicious dining and more! Visit our website for more information.

We'll see you soon!

~ Brenham/Washington County Chamber-CVB Staff

5 on FRIDAY: Nov 8-10, 2013

1)  LIVE MUSIC - FREE - FUN! Nathan's, Buffalo Creek and The Kenney Store all have offerings for you Friday night. End your week on a high note!

2) Shakespeare at Winedale brings you "Othello" this Saturday night. Tickets are $20 and are available online or by calling (512) 471-4726.

3) Get Lost at Brazos Valley Maize. The fall season is nearing it's end, so if you haven't made it out to the 6-acre corn maze yet, you need to! It's a lot of fun, even if the rain has made it a little muddy at times. :-)

4) LIVE MUSIC - still FREE and always FUN! :-)  Saturday night entertainment can be found at The Kenney Store and maybe The Stone Cellar (call 'em: 979.249.3390)

5) Try a new restaurant! Jernetta's Soul Food at Smitty's just opened this week and is eager to show you what real soul food is all about. Located at 1600 North Park Street in Brenham. Find her on FB to see what the menu is for the day.

Have a great weekend and we'll see you soon!
~ Brenham/Washington County Chamber-CVB Staff

FAQs: "You have lavender farms here?!"

Yes, we DO have lavender farms here. In fact, we have TWO lavender farms in Washington County. :-)

North of Chappell Hill along FM 1155 you'll find Chappell Hill Lavender Farm, a beautiful little farm with rows of lavender growing in the field in front of a quaint gift shop. Inside you'll find many crafty and delicious things that can be made with or from lavender. Grab some clippers and a basket at the door and meander through the field cutting your own lavender to take home with you.

Chappell Hill Lavender Farm is open weekends March-November and is located at 2250 Dillard Road, Brenham. Online shopping for all things lavender is also available through their website.

Travel south of Chappell Hill along FM 1371 you'll find Lavande Farm (pronounced la-vond). Located at 9665 Loop Road, Bellville, Lavande Farm is not just about lavender, but also olives! Owner and former photographer, "Farmer Craig," was in France when he discovered his love for lavender and returned home to start his farming journey.

 Lavande is open April-October at the Bellville farm, sells their products at many farmers markets and retail stores in the Houston & Austin area, and just recently opened a storefront in downtown Chappell Hill. The store is now open Mon-Sat 10-4. Online shopping is also available through their website.