A trip to the tiny town of Floydada in the Texas Panhandle is well worth the time in October. Pumpkin season is in full effect and there is no better place to find a colorful abundance of fall harvest than Floydada, known as the "Pumpkin Capital USA." For more than 20 years, the locals have celebrated Punkin Day at the county square on the second Saturday of October. And, of course, visitors are always welcome to enjoy the abundance of food and music as well as pie eating contests and fun runs at Punkin Day. If you can't make Punkin Day, don't worry. Assiter Punkin Ranch, about 10 miles south of Floydada, welcomes visitors with open arms. Here, you will find thousands of bundles of pumpkins of all different shapes, colors and sizes for sale in a barnlike setting along with a pen filled with goats, donkeys and horses that visitors are encouraged to feed and pet.
Grab your lederhosen and head to the Texas Hill Country for three days of German beer, food and fun. Since 1981, the residents of Fredericksburg have celebrated their town's German heritage every year at Oktoberfest during the beginning of October. Visitors and vendors dress up in traditional German attire at the annual event, which features three stages of entertainment, German beer tents, never ending food, a vineyard area, fun games for the kids and a tuba fest. Those who like to shop are also in for a treat. Local artists and craftsmen set up shop at the artisan tents to display their creations for sale.
October is wine month in Texas and no matter what part of the state you find yourself in, you are never more than a few hours from a winery. Wine month means lots of celebrations at the wineries, which means a great time for visitors. Stop by Flat Creek Estate in Marble Falls -- designated one of the "50 Most Amazing Places to Taste Wine in America" by "Food & Wine" magazine -- to participate in the October barrel tastings. The barrel tastings are held every Saturday during the month. Guests begin their visit with a private tasting with either the vineyard owner or winemaker and then move on to enjoy a gourmet, three-course lunch. Pop over to Chisholm Trail Winery in Fredericksburg and participate in its annual Fun Fall Event. Guests can enjoy an afternoon of wine sampling in the saloon-style tasting room while listening to live music. Pack a picnic and head down the road to Westcave Cellars Winery in Round Mountain to enjoy its Sunday Music Series, held every Sunday afternoon during the fall.
A trip to Rockport-Fulton -- located on the Texas coast -- in October is sure to provide fun for all, especially the food lovers. Each October, this coastal town plays host to the annual Texas Seafair, a three-day seaside fall festival. Texans have been celebrating Seafair since the 1970s and the festival remains a major city attraction to this day. There are plenty of activities for watersports enthusiasts and the kids (the crab races are known to draw large crowds) as well as live music, but the most popular draw is the food. Visitors can enjoy the fruits of the gumbo cook-off, salsa and dessert contests and chef demonstrations as well as plenty of other South Texas favorites at the food booths, such as fajitas and tacos.
