Community hosts spring events

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

A week after the official beginning of the season, the arrival of spring will become all the more evident across Lockhart this weekend as residents and visitors celebrate by participating in the area”s many scheduled outdoor events.
The Courthouse Square comes alive on Friday afternoon as the annual Rites of Spring celeb

ration comes in to full bloom. Based on the event”s past popularity, the Lockhart Business Cooperative has decided to turn the Rites of Spring into a two-day festival complete with arts, entertainment and plenty of gardening, eating and decorating advice.
The Rites of Spring Celebration begins on Friday, March 29 at 5:30 p.m. with a Nifty Fifty Car Show, a Fine Arts Show and Sale and the opening of the arts, crafts and foods vendor booths around the Square. Throughout the evening, vendors will peddle their goods as local talents provide entertainment in the forms of dance and music performances, a children”s theater workshop and Fiesta del Mariachi at the Dr. Eugene Clark Library.
After Rites of Spring booths open at 5:30 p.m., head over to the Dr. Eugene Clark Library for the fourth annual Fiesta del Mariachi from 6 – 10 p.m. Fiesta del Mariachi”s goal is to offer an opportunity to celebrate and experience the legacy of Hispanic culture through music. Fiesta del Mariachi is a family event celebrating 19th century Mexican music culture, and tradition. At its heart is the touching and lively ensemble music of violins, guitars, trumpets, the unique “vihuela” and “guitarron” in combination with the voices of performers dressed in bright silver-studded “charro” suits, singing about love and betrayal. For more information or tickets call the Dr. Eugene Clark Library at (512) 398-3223.
After enjoying the atmosphere at Texas” oldest continually-operational library, return to the Square for ballet folklorico, as well as performances by Austin Swing Dance(6:30 p.m.), Country Memories (6:30 – 7:30 p.m.) and the Moonhowlers (8 p.m.).
After Friday”s performances, rest up, because Saturday will be a busy day.
In addition to a full day of Rites of Spring events, Lockhart will host a Pan American Golf Association”s (PAGA) Men”s and Ladies” Winter Tournament nament, the anchor point of the national organization”s Winter Meeting and Tournament, which will be held in Lockhart from March 27 – 29.
Thousands of extra visitors are expected in Lockhart for the meeting and tournament, which includes a variety of social events across town and throughout the weekend.
The tournaments themselves tee off at 8 a.m. at the Lockhart State Park Golf Course.
Meanwhile, across town, Lockhart Little League leads off its spring season with the Spring Parade and opening ceremonies at the Lockhart Sports Complex.
Exhibition Day ceremonies begin on Saturday, March 29 at 8 a.m., with a performance by the Lockhart High School Lionettes at 8:15 a.m., and the Little League Mini-Parade at 8:30 a.m.
Teams from all Little League divisions will compete in exhibition games throughout the day. For a full schedule, contact Dee Halliburton at the Lockhart Sports Complex.
Back on the Square, Rites of Spring will be in full force on its second day, with activities beginning at 10 a.m.
Throughout the day and well into the evening, arts and crafts, antiques and food booths will be open for business, while visitors and vendors browse a variety of informational and entertaining events. A market with demonstrations, including butter-making, dry sauna and stress relief remedies, will be open all day. Historic driving tours will be held, dance performances and demonstrations will be available at a variety of locations throughout the day.
A nature walk and rainwater display will be held hourly, beginning at 11 a.m., with a Realtor”s Home Tour beginning at 2 p.m. Both the Caldwell County Museum (in the Old Jail on East Market Street) and the Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches will be open all day, offering tours and exhibits to the curious – and those who might just want to step inside, out of the sun. Rebecca Hawener will host tours of her elegant and renowned gardens beginning at 11 a.m. A wine-tasting will be held from 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Lockhart Business Cooperative will also sponsor a variety of contests throughout Rites of Spring Weekend, including a home and business decorating contest, a pie-eating contest, a putting contest and a talent show. For information on entering any of these contests, contact the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce at (512) 398-2818.
For a full schedule of events, visit the Lockhart Business Cooperative Booth on the Square, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.