End of Summer doesn't mean end of fun in New Braunfels

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas, Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- New Braunfels, Texas, the favorite Texas Hill Country vacation destination kicks fall off with the Comal Country Fair, September 24 – 29, a showcase for Texas Hill Country producers – farmers, ranchers, gardeners, cooks, artisans and craftsmen.  The fair started in 1893 and celebrates 120 years at the Comal County Fairgrounds.  

The Heart of America Carnival starts Tuesday, September 24, along with the Comal County Fair Corral Entertainment featuring Night in Old New Braunfels and live music, September 24-29.  The Comal County Fair Parade begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 27 – with most of New Braunfels either in the parade or watching it. Kids activities at the fair include The Best Western Dress Contest, 6th Annual CCFA Mutton Bustin' Blowout, the baby barnyard and baby chick petting areas, "120 Years" Shoe Box Float Contest, Pet Parade, Kids Rodeo Clown Contest, Kiddie Tractor Pull, and children's games.

Exhibits include Agriculture, Antiques and Heirlooms, Arts & Photography, Baking, Canning & Food Preservation, Handicrafts & Woodworking, Handwork, Knitting, Crocheting & Sewing, Horticulture, School & Group Projects, Home Brews, Wines, Oils & Vinegars and Home & Heritage.

The PRCA Rodeo begins Thursday, September 26 and runs through Saturday, September 28,  starting at 7:30 p.m. nightly and CBR Bull Riding Sunday, September 29, featuring special activities by Leon Coffee Barrel Man & Cowgirl Chicks Trick Riding.  For more information see Comal County Fair & Rodeo Facebook and Comal County Fair Twitter.

Following close on the heels of the fair, the Gruene Music & Wine Fest, October 10-13, provides a whole long weekend of fun for wine lovers or those who want to learn more about wines. Starting off on Thursday with "That's right, it's not from Texas," a wine tasting of 30 German and new world wines with live music and the opportunity to win a getaway vacation package, the event also features:

• "Rockin with Texas Wine & Food" with a private show and meet and greet with featured concert artists Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell and catered dinner by The Gristmill in the historic village of Gruene in New Braunfels. Chances to win autographed guitars by George Strait, Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Ray Price, The Mavericks, Los Lonely Boys, Willie Nelson, Bacon Brothers, Dwight Yoakam, Randy Rogers, Merle Haggard, Ryan Bingham, Jerry Jeff Walker, Stoney LaRue and Chris Isaak, and an autographed harmonica by Delbert McClinton!
• "Texas Tastings & Tunes" with live music on two stages, tastings of Texas foods & nearly 100 Texas wines, haute food trucks, and handmade wine accessories & gifts market.
• "Texas-Style Musicfest" with a Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist, followed by Brew-N-Que with live Texas music, 35-plus beers to taste, barbeque, haute food trucks, wine tasting, handmade wine accessories & gifts market.

To top off the autumn celebration, New Braunfels' world-famous Wurstfest, a ten-day celebration of sausage starts November 1.  During the 10-day festival, you'll find a variety of entertainment, food and fun on the Wurstfest Grounds in Landa Park and many Wurstfest Special Events throughout New Braunfels and Comal County.

Wurstfest started in 1961 to honor one of New Braunfels greatest products – sausage!  Local restaurants, meat markets and groceries offered sausage specials to encourage support for local sausage makers. Over the years the festival grew celebrating not only the German heritage sausage, but also the German culture of the city's founders.

Buy admission and refreshments tickets online at Wurstfest.com or use your smart phone to avoid waiting in line. Discounted tickets are available through September.

Located on IH-35, New Braunfels is between Austin and San Antonio – two other popular Texas vacation destinations. A variety of museums, amusement parks and other Texas Hill Country attractions including more than 30 wineries make New Braunfels the ideal headquarters for exploring central Texas year around. Check out the New Braunfels Convention & Visitors Bureau for help in planning your trip!

Related Links:
New Braunfels Convention & Visitors Bureau
Comal Country Fair
Wurstfest
Gruene Music & Wine Festival

Video with caption: "Held for the first time in 1961, Wurstfest honors sausage and sausage-makers in New Braunfels, Texas. The first year it was "Sausage Festival" and later "Wurst Week" and finally "WURSTFEST". New Braunfels is located between Austin and San Antonio on IH 35 and is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Texas. Take a few minutes to learn some German phrases you'll find handy when you visit - Willkommen zum WURSTFEST! Prosit, und hab' Spasz! (Welcome to Wurstfest – Cheers and have fun!)". Video available at: http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/FX-MM85645-20130924-3.mp4

Image with caption: "SPRECHEN SIE FUN? Wurstfest – the best ten days in sausage history – is rich in German culture and full of Texas fun, November 1-10, 2013, in New Braunfels, Texas. Enjoy sausage on a stick (and every other way), music, dancing, a carnival, German, Texan and domestic beer, plus great Alpine and Bavarian Style entertainment. Purchase tickets now online! Held on the Wurstfest Grounds in Landa Park with events throughout New Braunfels and Comal County, it's a great time in the Texas Hill Country." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130924/MM85645-a

Image with caption: "Comal County Fair includes a Kiddie Tractor Pull, Mutton Bustin, Shoebox Floats, and Kids Rodeo Clown Contest for children, plus a PRCA Rodeo, CBR Bull Riding, Pig Racing, a fantastic fair parade, and exhibits including livestock shows, antiques & heirlooms, agriculture, horticulture, art & photography, baking, canning & food preservation, handicrafts & woodworking, handwork, knitting, crocheting & sewing, homebrews, wines, oils & vinegars, a great carnival and the Corral entertainment area." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130924/MM85645-b

SOURCE New Braunfels Convention & Visitors Bureau