Austin, TX

August is such a great month for Austin. Aside from the sweltering heat, of course. There is the Ice Cream Festival, the Hot Sauce Festival, BatFest, and the Hatch Chile Festival.

The first three are gone but this weekend marks the last two. I can’t say why really but I always look forward to Central Market’s Hatch Chile Festival. I love the big roasting barrels they fill with the chilies and roast out in the open air. I love the fat greasy Hatch chile burgers and sausages they sell out front. I love all the Hatch treats you find as you wander through the store, gathering recipes as you go.

The Hatch Chile Festival
When: August 29-31st, 2008
Where: Central Market
$$$: Free (burgers & sausage for sale)

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Batfest is a culmination of two of Austin’s greatest attractions, bats and music. This years event is moving to the 1st Street Bridge. In previous years Batfest was held at the Congress Street Bridge but a local furniture store owner complained that the event disrupted business so the organizers opted to move. It’s my understanding that Batfest will move back to the Congress Street Bridge in 2009 but will only last one day as opposed to being the 2 day event it’s been in the past and will not be held on Labor Day weekend.

BatFest!
When: August 30th & 31st 2008
Hours: Saturday Aug 30th 2 PM until Midnight
Sunday Aug 31st 1 PM until 10 PM
Where: 1st Street Bridge
$$$: Tickets just $5 available day of show at the gate. 10 and under Free with an adult.

Batfest!, Will feature Arts, Crafts, Music, Food, Bat Watching, Children’s Activities, and Educational Displays. Estimated attendance is around 40,000! With Scenic backdrop of Town Lake and downtown Austin. Come out and see between 1.5 and 2 million Mexican Free Tail Bats while shopping for creative items made in Austin. See over 30 bands on two stages.

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Here is one for my wine buddies:

Bordeaux and BBQ
When: Saturday, August 30 2008, 2:00pm - 7:00pm
Where: Vino 100, 3021 South IH-35, Suite 120, Round Rock, Tx
$$$: Free

How many opportunities do you get to sample 30 wines AND get food from the famous Salt Lick? Not enough, I can tell ya! There will even be door prizes.

If wine isn’t your drink of choice then maybe mojitos are more up your alley.

Havana Nights with the Texas Rollergirls
When: Sunday, August 31 2008, 8:00pm
Where: Roadhouse Rags, 1600 Fortview Rd
$$$: Free ($10 suggested donation)

Join the Texas Rollergirls’ own Texecutioners for a minty fundraiser. Celebrate the drink of Cuba with bottomless Bacardi Mojitos. Help our gals get to Nationals in Portland! Learn to make your own Bacardi Mojitos, or sit back and let the rollergirls prepare them for you, and we’ll all cha cha through the night.

If not mojitos, how about beer:

2008 Party in the Park
When: Sunday, August 31 2008, 12:00pm
Where: Waterloo Park
$$$: Tickets are priced at $32.50 in advance and $40 at the door. Kids under 5 are free.

Drink Ziegenback and help Charity? Sounds like a plan to me! This event is sponsored by Ziegenbock and 415 Entertainment and will benefit Young Texas Against Cancer.

Artists performing include:

• Pat Green
• Jack Ingram
• Cory Morrow
• Brandon Rhyder
• Ryan James
• Rich O’Toole

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If you’ve always wanted to have a good gander at the famous Driskill Hotel, this weekend is your chance to do just that!

A Taste of the Driskill
When: Saturday, August 30th, 10am-2pm
Where: The Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos
$$$: Free

The 122-year-old Driskill Hotel is saying “thank you” to the citizens of Austin and all of Texas for their support and devotion to the hotel with this community open house. A Taste of The Driskill celebrates more than a century of history as Austin’s landmark hotel, as well as the completion of a $4 million renovation of the property’s 189 guestrooms. Music, ghost tours, wine tastings, food samples, and kids activities are the order of the day. This marks the first Driskill Day, and the party will feature a birthday cake honoring one of the hotel’s most famous regulars: President Lyndon B Johnson on what would be his 100th birthday. LBJ and Lady Bird had their first date at The Driskill. Over the years, he awaited the returns from all his campaigns, including historic wins on the ticket with John Kennedy and then as the presidential nominee himself, at the hotel. As Saturday is also opening game day for the University of Texas Longhorns, the Driskill Bar—consistently named as Austin’s number one hotel bar—is hosting a Texas Tailgate party. Another highlight of the day is the Driskill Pie Bake-off.