Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Palestine, Texas, is halfway between Dallas and Houston. An optimal vacation destination throughout the year, Palestine offers natural beauty, with the 200-acre Davey Dogwood Park and the Elmwood Gardens; relaxing activities, like winery tours and spas stays; 10 bed-and-breakfast inns; and local history outposts, like NASA's Columbia scientific balloon facility and the Museum for East Texas Culture. Palestine also offers events and festivities throughout the year.
This festival is from mid-March through the first week of April, and takes place in and around Davey Dogwood Park, a 200-acre nature and picnic area north of town. Over three weekends, the festival has an arts and crafts fair, live music, stage productions, a chili and barbecue cook-offs, a parade and a bicycle race. The celebration also hosts the Dulcimer Festival, in which dulcimer players from all over hold workshops and perform in concerts.
Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration
210 N. Link St.
Palestine, TX 75801
903-729-6066
palestinechamber.org
Palestine's WonderFall Oktoberfest has had many incarnations. It was first known as the Fall Fest, then the Bodacious Bat and Bicycle Bash and then the Hot Pepper Festival. The only thing that hasn't changed about the event is the amount of fun you can have. The festival is on the last Saturday of October in historic downtown and includes arts and crafts, concerts on different stages, live theater, a parade, a children's activities area, a beer garden, a haunted house, and, as of September 2010, more than 90 different vendors. General admission is $1.
WonderFall Oktoberfest
Anderson County Courthouse Square
500 N. Church St.
Palestine, TX 75801
903-729-6066
palestinechamber.org
Scheduled for the first Saturday in December, the Christmas Parade of Lights is Palestine's largest parade. The parade has marching bands and Santa Claus himself as the guest of honor. Other guests include clowns and mounted horsemen. Awards are given for best float, best classic automobile, best horse-drawn carriage, best marching band and overall winner. The parade begins at the courthouse, follows Main Street, and ends at the visitor center, where the town's official Christmas tree is lit and where the children can sit on Santa's lap.
Christmas Parade of Lights & Official Tree Lighting
Anderson County Courthouse
500 N. Church St. #43
Palestine, TX 75801
800-659-3484
visitpalestine.com
Held on the first Saturday of every month, the classic movie series in Reagan Park offers free viewings of some of Hollywood's most enduring films. Past screenings include James Cagney's "Angels with Dirty Faces," "Easter Parade" with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire, and James Stewart's "The Shop Around the Corner." Seating is not provided, so bring your blankets and lawn chairs and a little bit of pocket money to buy some popcorn. Movies begin at 7 p.m.
Classic Movies in Reagan Park
Reagan Park
U.S. Highway 84E at 287/19S
Palestine, TX 75801
903-723-3014
visitpalestine.com