5 on FRIDAY: Feb 28-Mar 2, 2014

This is a BIG weekend of festivities around Washington County. Lots of fun stuff is coming up in March, so be sure to keep your eye on the calendar and make plans to join us!

1) 50 Miles to Harvest - gourmet family-style dinner featuring locally grown/raised ingredients within 50 miles of Washington County. This delicious dinner will be prepared by Chef Tai of College Station and will include house wine and the beautiful ambiance of The Citadel. Tickets

2) Independence Day Celebration - it's Texas' 178th Birthday this weekend and you are invited to our party! History, presentations, music, food, and re-enactments all weekend long. Details

3) Farmer's & Artisan's Markets - Saturday in Burton and Sunday in Brenham. Every first Saturday of the month Burton holds their Farmer's Market from March-December and feature a large variety of locally grown/made produce and products.

In Brenham, Home Sweet Farm has a retail market in Downtown Brenham, open Tues-Fri 11-5:30 and Sun 11-4. The Market features farm-fresh produce, artisan foods, farm-raised meats, milk, honey, local artisan products like scarves, candles, body products and much more!

On Sunday from 11-4, join the fun for their the first Monthly Market Day which will feature some of the best sustainable and organic small family farms in the Brazos Valley. Enjoy pony rides for the kids and breakfast or lunch prepared by Chef Brian Light of Ronin Cooking. Come with an appetite for good fresh food!

Chappell Hill Lavender Farm opens this weekend for
the 2014 season. Sat 9-5, Sun 11-4. New this year - berries!

4) Unity Theatre's final performances of "Almost, Maine" is this weekend. Call the box office today to reserve your seats for this fun, romantic show.

5) Brazos Valley Brewery is open Fri 5-9 and Sat 1-8. Open patio + great beer = relaxing fun!

CALENDAR DETAILS:
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

We hope you have a wonderful time this weekend exploring all the fun there is to do! If you decide to make a full weekend out of it, we have plenty of lodging options to fit every need.

See you soon! :-)

178th Birthday Party

YOU ARE INVITED!

All Texans (natural born, and those who got here as soon as they could) are invited to a Texas-sized 178th birthday celebration on the very spot “where Texas became Texas” on March 2, 1836 when 59 delegates bravely met to make a formal declaration of independence from Mexico.

“Texas Independence Day Celebration” is a two-day celebration on Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2, 2014 on the expansive 293-acre park grounds of the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site between Brenham and Navasota. The birthday celebration features live music, food, traditional crafts, living history presentations, firing demonstrations, historical encampments and commemorative programs—all with no park entrance or parking fees.

Guests will step back into history to experience life in Texas in 1836 by visiting with reenactors and witnessing firing demonstrations in the Texas Army camps as well as a virtual townsite tour. Attendees can walk the same trail as Texas’ forefathers and pioneer families, and witness cooking, weaving and period craft demonstrations.

Texas singer/songwriter Brian Burns, Celtaire String Band and No Foolin’ String Band will provide musical entertainment at the event.

A Texas State Park, the site’s three attractions (Independence Hall, Star of the Republic Museum, and Barrington Living History Farm) will feature special activities during the March celebration. The admission fees for the Museum and Farm will be waived during the celebration weekend. The Hall is always open free of charge; however, there is a modest fee for a guided program at the Hall.

Texas Independence Day Celebration Schedule

WHEN: Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site, located at 23400 Park Road 12 in Washington, Texas, off State Hwy. 105 on FM 1155 (between Brenham and Navasota—approximately one hour northwest of Houston).
COST: The celebration, as well as parking and admission to the parks’ three attractions (Independence Hall, Star of the Republic Museum, and Barrington Living History Farm) are free; there is a modest fee for a guided program at Independence Hall.

5 on FRIDAY: Feb 21-23, 2014

This weekend's forecast looks like a beauty! Here are some ways you can get out and enjoy it...

Brazos Valley Brewing Company
is open this weekend, too!
Fri 5-9pm, Sat 1-8pm

1) Quilt Event at Winedale - historic quilts are on display through Feb 23. This event is free to the public!

2) Live music at Nathan's BBQ, The Kenney Store and Buffalo Creek.

3) James Dick piano concert at Round Top Festival Institute.

4) Blinn College presents "Alice in Bed" this weekend only. Performances are Fri & Sat at 7pm and Sun at 2pm.

5) Unity Theatre presents "Almost, Maine" through March 2. Performances are Thurs at 7:30pm, Fri & Sat at 8pm and Sun at 4pm

Event Details:
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY

5 on THURSDAY: Feb 14-16, 2013

We're sending this out a day early so you can make your last-minute Valentine's Day plans (just in case you're one of those "procrastinator" people)....

1) Make a Date and Treat Your Sweetheart! Here is the blog post we dedicated to Valentine's Day fun.

2) Unity Theatre presents "Almost, Maine" - a fun romantic play Fri & Sat at 8pm and Sun at 4pm. The play runs through March 2, but there's no reason to wait!

3) Quilt Event at Winedale has just begun this week. Quilts from the collection date from late 1700s to current dates. Exhibit will be on display from Feb 10-Feb 23, 10-4 daily.

4) Live Music at The Kenney Store Saturday night at 8pm. Go early for dinner & stay late for dancing!

5) Go geocaching! The "First to Finish" is still up for grabs in the Birthplace of Texas GeoTour. That means you need to find all 26 caches, eat at least 2 meals and stay at least 1 night in Washington County. If you are the first to prove that with a completed Passport and turn it in to the Visitor Center, you will win a hand-crafted pottery treasure box and bluebonnet mug. You can find all the details on our website, as well as information about geocaching as a whole, in case you have no idea what we're talking about. :-D

Have fun... we'll see you soon!

5 on FRIDAY: Feb 7-9, 2014

1) Brenham Quilt Show - this show is only every other year, so take advantage of this year and go! Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-4 at the Fireman's Training Center in Brenham. This is a great show of handmade crafts and a raffle!

2) Wine & Chocolate Trail is this weekend. Enjoy tastings at all Bluebonnet Trail Wineries (three of which are in Washington County) on Saturday 11-6 and Sunday noon-5. Your ticket is good at all wineries on both days. Get tickets online.

3) Pastimes & Playthings are featured at Barrington Living History Farm this weekend at Washington-on-the-Brazos - games & crafts of the 1800s. The Farm is open Sat & Sun 10-4:30.

4) Best of Broadway with Dick Smith at the piano - a crowd pleasing concert at Festival Institute. Saturday 2-4pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online.

5) Live music at Nathan's, Kenney Store and Buffalo Creek. Check the calendar for details.

FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY

Have a great weekend! :-)

Valentine's Day in Washington County

Valentine's Day is a great time to make a date for love! Some go all out with chocolate, roses, romantic getaways and even jewelry while others forget that the 14th is deemed a special day by most of the world. However, you don't have to go far or do much to create a lovely evening out with your special someone. Here are some suggestions for Valentine's Day in Washington County...

Go to the Theatre!
Unity Theatre presents "Almost, Maine"

8pm

Unity Theatre, 300 Church St, Brenham, TX

As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky, Almost residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Performances run Feb 13-Mar 2, Thurs-Sun only.

$27
979-830-8358
www.UnityBrenham.org


Enjoy dinner at a new-to-you place:
Valentine's Dinner & Music
6-10pm

R-Place, around the corner from Washington-on-the-Brazos, FM 1155, Washington

Make a dinner date with your sweetheart for a unique and romantic experience at R-Place. Friday & Saturday we are offering your choice of two entrees, French bread with brie, soup or salad, and a very special dessert.

Friday night features live music by Joe Teichman and Saturday by Gene Scott.

Reserve your seats today by calling 936-878-1925

$34.95 per person
936-878-1925
www.rplacetexas.com

Valentine's Day Candlelight Dinner

6-7:30pm

Funky Art Cafe in Downtown Brenham

Dinner at Funky Art Cafe is a rare treat! Tonight you can wine and dine with your special someone in this lovely downtown restaurant. A gourmet five-course dinner awaits, plus a special selection of wines to be added to your table. Reservations are a must and seating is limited, so call now to reserve your table!

$50 per person
936-836-5520
www.FunkyArtCafe.com

Grab her by the hand and dance the night away!
Valentine's Day Dance

8pm-midnight

The Kenney Store, 811 Loop 497 South, Kenney

Enjoy live entertainment by Anthony Moreno Band. Come early for dinner & stay late for dancing!

FREE
www.TheKenneyStore.com



Valentine Dinner & Dance
6pm-midnight

Chappell Hill Fire Department

Fajita Dinner (Design II), dessert (Brenham Olde Towne Bakery) and drinks. Music by Robbie Wooten Band. Live & silent auctions, raffles. Ongoing Custom Golf Cart raffle sponsored by Family Motor Sports & Toys. Benefits Morgan's Angel Robot Program!

$30 per adult, $50 for a couple, $20 for kids
713-299-2963 or 979-836-7377
linda@tlmaintco.com


STAY. PLAY. GETAWAY.
Washington County has PLENTY of lodging available, in case you want to make it a romantic getaway. In fact, there are even a few places who have specials going on right now! Reserve a room, or a cabin, and make some memories!

Farmer's Market in Downtown Brenham

"It all started in 2004 when we began our small family farm just 7 miles south of Brenham, in Wesley, TX. In an effort to cultivate our local farm community, we began hosting seasonal events and monthly Market Days on our farm along with workshops to help motivate others who wanted to grow "righteous food." Now, a decade later, we are working with our local farming community to bring the best of the Brazos Valley to Downtown Brenham. We want to challenge what people call "local" by offering food within 50 miles from the farm to your plate."

Veggies fresh from the garden!

Brad & Jenny Stufflebeam, owners of Home Sweet Farm, their daughters, and numerous volunteers & part-timers work diligently on a daily basis to bring the local harvest to the Brenham/Washington County community. 

The downtown market started as a two-day operation, but has since grown to being open 5 days a week. What began as a warehouse with a few tables of fresh veggies has rapidly become an expanding market of fresh produce, farm raised meats, artisan products like honey, bread, milk, cheese, jams, candles, chocolate and clothing, organic pastured farm eggs, fresh milk and cream and so much more!

Home Sweet Farm also hosts occasional classes designed to help you become a farmer and learn about the growing process and the importance of growing natural, GMO-free food.

Within the last few months they have partnered with The Citadel to bring the farm to the table with elegant family-style dinners prepared by well-known chefs combined with live music, candlelight and historic ambiance. The next "50 Miles to Harvest" dinner will be March 1. Chef Tai will be preparing a fresh & delicious feast from local ingredients.

GMO-Free seeds are available
to start your own garden!

Coming up on March 2 will be the first Monthly Market Day - the first of many Sundays to come. This monthly market day will host many farmers and artisans from within 50 miles to sell their home-grown or hand-made products. Live music, pony rides and a fresh & local brunch will also be enjoyed. In addition, each month there will be a different theme, this first Sunday being strawberries! Home Sweet Farm has planted even more strawberries than usual as an effort to combine two wonderful Spring items - the succulent strawberry and the vibrant bluebonnet!

Featured in Edible Austin, Home Sweet Farm brings fresh, local, organic food to Brenham, Washington County, Houston and beyond through the market, but also through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Farm lovers can sign up to receive a weekly share of HSF's produce and can either pick up their share at the farm or arrange for it to be delivered to a drop-site. More information

Artisan breads including gluten free options!

Many restaurant and B&B owners shop at the market to prepare foods for their customers and guests. And since the Market is open on Tuesday-Friday & Sundays, local and out-of-town guests have the opportunity to shop for fantastic ingredients before heading home to prepare their weekly feasts for their families.

Downtown Brenham is very fortunate to have such passionate business owners bringing wholesome food and knowledge to our local community. We are eager to see how the Stufflebeams continue to grow their business and look forward to seeing more delicious products being sold at the Market.

If you're looking for delicious home-grown or hand-made products, be sure to visit the Home Sweet Farm Market in Downtown Brenham. Located at 306 South Baylor Street, the Market is open Tues-Fri 11-5:30 and Sunday 11-4.