Travel

Tyler is again making a name in national publications. Online at www.budgettravel.com, writer Geraldine Campbell highlights the fact the city is a mere 98 miles from Dallas. She includes the nuances that make Tyler a city like no other, including mention of its brick streets, rose capital history and, of course, its barbecue.

The Tyler Morning Telegraph's own Tom Turner provided an accompanying photo of Stanley's Famous Pit Bar-B-Q.

To read the entire article under the header "One Tank Escapes," log onto the Web site and see what others are saying about Tyler.

Nature Fest, a celebration of the Mineola Nature Preserve and the national treasure that exist there, is set Saturday. Children and adults will enjoy interpretive walks and talks on topics ranging from nature photography to identifying area amphibian life forms. A talk by representatives from the Astronomical Society of East Texas and storytelling around a campfire also are planned at night.

Activities and interpretive talks are set throughout the day beginning at 8 a.m. For more, log onto www.mnpfriends.org.

The Rusk Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Fair on the Square on Saturday. There are approximately 70-plus vendors that have signed up to join us on the Square. There will be kid-friendly activities going on as well.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be arts and crafts exhibitors and food vendors and entertainment, a free kid's area with train rides, Ferris Wheel rides, water slide and a bounce house.

Live entertainment is planned throughout the day.

For additional information or to register for a booth space, call 903-683-4242 or visit the Web site at www.ruskchamber.com.

The Dog Days of Denton Celebration begins Friday as the festival extends its hours to include some evening shade.

Festival hours this year are 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The celebration features activities and contests. Attendees can take in live music, "dancing with the dogs" performances by T.C. Cappel, and demos and tips from professional dog trainer Melissa Heeter at the Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue exhibit. The Glamfur photos, arts/crafts booths, pet care information and adoptions, the "Heinz 57" contests, festival foods and more will also be featured on both Friday night and Saturday. (Check the schedule on the Web site for any updates or changes to the contest and entertainment schedule).

For spokesdog pageant guidelines, contest and entertainment schedule updates, visit the www.dogdaysdenton.com.

The Dog Days of Denton Celebration will be held in the north end of Quakertown Park at 321 E. McKinney Street in downtown Denton and is free general admission.

The Dog Days of Denton Celebration requires that ALL dogs be kept on a leash at all times and must have current vaccinations. For pet-friendly overnight accommodations, please check the www.dogdaysdenton.com Web site for special rates, call the visitor hotline toll-free at 866/DENTONTX or visit www.discoverdenton.com.

BASTROP - Bastrop State Park will join eight other Texas state parks on Saturday, June 6, in suggesting you "go take a hike" to commemorate National Trails Day.

For more information about Bastrop State Park's planned activities, call (512) 321-1673.

A new two-mile stretch of the San Antonio River Walk opens May 30, doubling the River Walk in size. It will now wind north from the city's center, past the San Antonio Museum of Art and the restored Pearl Brewery. Enjoy water features, public art and a lush tropical landscape. Take a river cruise via a new lock and dam system to explore shops, restaurants and a gourmet farmers' market.

Opening events will include inaugural river boat rides through the new expansion, an exclusive evening gala and meet and greets with artists who contributed public art pieces throughout the new reach.

There's more River Walk to come. Plans are underway to extend the River Walk an additional nine miles for a total of 13 miles. This serene addition will connect four of San Antonio's 18th-century Spanish colonial missions. The $279 million River Improvements Project is expected to reach completion in 2014.

Discover more San Antonio at www.visitsanantonio.com or by calling 800- ALAMO-07.

Georgetown's 2009 Festival of the Arts will be held May 30-June 7 and will feature the work of Czech composer Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904).

The Bossier City State Fair is happening now through May 25, at Harrah's Louisiana Downs.

The list of events will include Demoltion Derby, Thrill Show, Carnival Rides, Elephant Encounter, Ostrich Races, Petting Zoo, Live Music Acts, an Arts and Crafts Exhibit and much more.

The hours will be 4 to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m., Fridays; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays; and noon to 10 p.m. on Sundays. The fair will be open from noon to 10 p.m. on Memorial Day, May 25.

The cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children, ages 5 to 12. Children age 4 and under are free.

Fiesta Noche del Rio - Fridays and Saturdays, thorugh Aug. 15

Salsa and samba your way to the River Walk's Arneson River Theatre for the 53rd Annual Fiesta Noche del Rio, a seven-act musical extravaganza that features the songs and dance of Mexico, Spain, Argentina and Texas. Fiesta Noche del Rio is the longest running performance of its kind.

Join the celebration of all things Texan at the 38th annual Texas Folklife Festival. Hosted at UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures (a short walk from the Alamo and the River Walk), this three-day cultural extravaganza brings together more than 40 ethnic groups to showcase their authentic food (150 dishes), great music (65 bands), colorful dance (50 folk dance groups) and authentic crafts (50 craft demonstrators and 50 craft vendors). Come celebrate your heritage and share in a Texas tradition.

July is Contemporary Art Month (CAM) in San Antonio - the nation's only annual, month-long, citywide celebration of the contemporary arts. CAM showcases San Antonio's diverse and flourishing art community with more than 400 exhibitions at more than 50 venues throughout the city. From new to traditional, sculpture to experimental installations and photography to video art, no genre is left untouched.

Kick off your shoes and lounge in the grass at downtown's Crockett Park for the sixth annual San Antonio Art & Jazz Festival. This free, three-day event features 10 great jazz concerts, two free jazz workshops, an arts and crafts fair and delicious Texas cuisine.

More than 25 local entertainers are paired during this two-day event featuring food, street dancing and more. Held in historic Market Square, the nation's largest Mexican market, the annual San Antonio Conjunto Shoot-Out is free and open to the public.

These are just a few of San Antonio's many summer events. Discover them all at www.visitsanantonio.com. Images of San Antonio available upon request.

BOSSIER CITY, LA. - Horseshoe Casino & Hotel will host Bret Michaels, rock legend and the center of attention on Vh1's "Rock of Love" June 5 in the Riverdome. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $35 and the show is standing room only.

Legendary recording artist Merle Haggard will be live in concert June 12 in the Riverdome. Tickets currently are on sale for $85 and $75. Reserved seating is available.

Purchase tickets for either show at www.riverdome.com, 888-512-SHOW (7469) or the Horseshoe Gift Horse Gift Shop.

Concert-goers must be 21 years or older to attend.

June 5-6

CCA Take A Kid Fishing Tournament

Sponsored by the Coastal Conservation Association, this tournament is for anglers ages 16 and under. Held annually at Woody's Sports Center. Log on to www.woodysonline.com for more.

June 19-20

Powderpuff Tournament

Women only may fish in this tournament. Registration is Friday and fishing day is Saturday. Contact Judy Martin at Woody's Sports Center or log on to www.woodysonline.com.

ATHENS - Nationally known photographer Wyman Meinzer will conduct a digital photography workshop at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center on July 4.

Instruction will emphasize photography basics including composition and lighting.

Registration for the workshop and the private critiques is limited, and a fee will be charged for both. For registration information, visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/visitorcenters/tffc/education/media/photoworkshop_form.pdf.

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