85th Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration
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Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration

Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration

March 17 - April 2, 2023 Palestine, Texas

This long-time celebration takes place the last two weekends in March and first weekend in April. Enjoy the delicate beauty of the dogwood trees in Davey Dogwood Park and the surrounding area. Activities are scheduled each weekend to compliment the Celebration. Don't miss the Piney Woods Excursion Train at the Texas State Railroad, the Main Street Farm & Flower Market, a play at the historic Texas Theatre & much more.

Official Dogwood Bloom Watch: 2023

Mother Nature is always in charge! As of March 3, 2023 the buds are open around the city and within Davey Dogwood Park.

Due to the warm weather and drought conditions late last year, we expect the dogwoods will be scattered and many trees are going to leaf out instead of bloom.

Download the 2023 Celebration Flyer

March 17- March 19, 2023 Events and Activities

2023 Events & Activities

Steam Engine
Dogwood Lunch Train:
March 18 & 25 & April 1, 2023 | 11:00 AM
Passengers aboard Texas State Railroad Dogwood Lunch Train will savor the flavor and the sights, of East Texas. Expand all of your senses with a delicious meal and a front row seat to the Dogwood Days springtime show during your journey. Departing Saturday March 18th and 25th and April 1st from the Palestine depot at 11:00 AM. Tickets available online at Texas State Railroad

Piney Woods Express Diesel- Texas State Railroad:
March 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
A diesel locomotive pulls the vintage 1920’s passenger cars on this four-hour round-trip train adventure departing from Palestine, with an hour layover at the Rusk depot. Passengers enjoy a journey through the Piney Woods and 135 years of history. The trip includes comfortable seating, food and adult beverage service, and historic narration on a rail journey. All seats have views along the Piney Woods route. ADA coaches are available. 855-632 7729 Tickets available online at Texas State Railroad

Historic Redlands Tour:
March 18, 25 & April 1, 2023 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Guided Tour of the Redlands Hotel, built in 1914 by a group of citizens to provide housing for the visitors to the City from the railroad. Built as a fine hotel with an up date restaurant, ice machine, orchestra and ballroom. For special group tours call 903-729-2345
Fairy Garden Trails:
March 17 - April 30, 2023 | Dawn to Dusk
There is so much to explore in Davey Dogwood Park this spring! We know that the 5.5 miles of driving trails make for some amazing views, but park the car and step onto the trails and see how many of our hidden fairy gardens you can find! A free activity for everyone!

Railroad Heritage Center:
9:30 AM -4:30 PM | Open Mon-Sat
Relish the romance of the rails as depicted by the 37' X 17' Domis HO scale Model Railroad display and enjoy the various exhibits that illustrate many facets of railroading. No reservations required. $3.00 adults, $1.00 for children requested donation.

Old Time Music & Dulcimer Festival:
March 23 - 25, 2023 | A festival with a laid back attitude and really great music! Some of the best dulcimer and old time music artists from around the country serve as headliners for the concerts and lead the workshops. Friday and Saturday are filled with live performances, jamming sessions, concerts & workshops. For more information call 936-222-1892. First Baptist Church 5700 N Loop 256 Find out more at oldpalmusic.com
Master Gardener Tree & Plant Sale
March 18, 2023 | 8:00AM - 4:00 PM
Trees, shrubs, roses, native plants, butterfly garden & a variety of locally grown plants. Federal Building parking lot 101 W. Oak St. For more information or presales, call 903 391-0190 or 903-764-0073

Market By The Creek:
March 18, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Vintage Items, Furniture, Handmade Crafts, Food Trucks,
Old Tools, Art and Eclectic Things.
Wells Creek Crossing 903 724-1220

Specialty Dining Events

Patio Dining at Sabor A Pasion
Pizza! Pasta! & Pavlova!:
March 17, 24 & 31 | 110 ACR 406 | 903-729-9500
Chef Simon Webster serves pizza from his acclaimed wood-fired pizza oven. Meal is served family-style and includes gourmet salad, wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta & his signature New Zealand Pavlova. Sabor a Pasion Estate & Vineyard. Reservations required. BYOB

Bistro Dining at Restaurant Aubergine:
March 18, 25 & April 1 | 110 ACR 406 | 903-729-9500
3 course prix fixe menu. Choose from a selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts featuring seasonal & local menu items inspired by Chef Webster's global influence. Sabor a Pasion Estate & Vineyard. Reservations required. BYOB
Dogwood Brunch
March 19 & 26 & April 2 | 110 ACR 406 | 903-729-9500
Plated gourmet breakfast with complimentary Mimosa.
Seating available from 9:30AM to 12:00 PM. Sabor a Pasion Estate & Vineyard. Reservations required. BYOB
Slow Meat Feast:
March 18,2023 | 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The Regen Ranch
An Argentine parillada is a meat based meal that is typically eaten over a number of hours as each cut of meat becomes ready. Sausages, bread, assorted chicken, turkey and beef cuts will be served with sides on the table to enjoy with the meat and between the meat courses. The feast will conclude with a typical Argentine ‘campesino’ dessert!
For more details and to register, click here.

Dogwood Brunch at Queen St. Grille:
April 1 | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Enjoy a spread of breakfast and a la carte items including omelet and crepe stations will get your Saturday morning started off right.$19.95 per person, $9.95 for children 5 - 12.Reservations requested 903-723-2404.

Texas Vineyard & Smokehaus: March 18-20, 25-27, April 1, 2023 | 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wine Tasting in the new tasting room and Wine Garden. Serving German sausage, burgers and hot dog platters. 2442 Anderson County RD 2133 903538-2950

Mission Outreach 2023 5K
April 1, 2023 | 9:00 AM
The 5K will start and end at the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce, 401 W. Main St. Pre-registration will be online and includes an event t-shirt, children 10 and under are FREE! This year there is a new route you are sure to love! Contact Evangelistic Temple for details or to register 903 729-2863. All proceeds are benefitting the Missions Outreach 2023.
Texas State Railroad Steam Engine in Spring

Texas State Railroad Steam Engine in Spring
VIP Art Tent Gala:
March 17, 2023 | 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
This is an exclusive pre-event for the Art Tent artists. Live music, heavy hors d’oeuvres and open bar will provide an elegant evening topped off with a wine pull and a live auction. William E Young will present his 5th limited edition poster for sale. Tickets $20 available at the door or click here. Redlands Hotel Parking Lot at 300 W Oak St.

Dogwood Festival:
March 18, 2023 | 9:00 AM -4:00 PM | Downtown
Join us in Palestine's historic Main Street District for Arts & Craft vendors, food, live street performances, kid's activity zone, photo ops & more.

Art Tent:
March 18 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Redlands Hotel Parking Lot. Artists from across Texas come together to showcase their work. Select pieces will be available for purchase. Corner of John and Oak St.
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Clue: The Musical:
March 24-26, March 31 - April 2, 2023
Clue The Musical is a musical with a book by Peter DePietro, based on the board game Clue. The plot concerns a murder at a mansion, occupied by several suspects, that is solved by a detective, while the ending is decided by the audience.
213 W Crawford St. Purchase tickets here.


Dogwood Fly in Fair:
March 24 - 26 | Friday & Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Chili and 3 meat BBQ cookoffs & Cornhole tournament. Arts, crafts, gun show, antiques, militaria, and collectibles. Admission $5 per car load, free parking. For more information, contact: Charles Montgomery 817-929-1816
Whipp.events@gmail.com

Stained Glass Tours

Sacred Heart Catholic Church:
March 18th 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
March 25th 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Stunning stained glass, incredible detailing and beautiful architecture are just of few of the features that will have you in awe of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Open every Saturday during the Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration.
503 N Queen St.

First Christian Church:
March 18th 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
March 25th 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
The First Christian Church in Palestine is one of the oldest congregations in the area. In 1905 the brick building was constructed. The chapel in the educational building is the pride of the entire membership with its beautiful memorial windows.
113 E Crawford St

St. Phillips Episcopal Church
March 18 & 25 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
In 1859, about a dozen families gathered and organized a religious body under the name St. Philip's Episcopal Church. On Dec. 11, 1874,the corner stone for the church was laid. However, in 1903, the church moved to its current location. After a fire in 1982, the church was rebuilt in 1983. The baptismal font, as well as a few other religious relics, were saved and still used today. The same company that installed the original stained glass windows replaced them after being lost in the fire. 106 E. Crawford St.

First Presbyterian Church
March 18th 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Organized in 1849, the Gothic Revival church building is the oldest church in Palestine. On March 7, 1887, the church bought a lot on Avenue A, and the cornerstone for the sanctuary was laid on July 12, 1888. The bricks were made from clay excavated from a pit that later became Spring Park Lake. The sanctuary is of Gothic design and contains leaded stained glass and Tiffany memorial windows. The ceiling was hand painted by an itinerant German craftsman, and has not been retouched since it was originally painted. The silver spire was added in 1890.The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

Entertainment

Boston Porter Memorial Rodeo
March 18, 2023 | 7:00 PM
Tickets will be available at Cavender's $12 in advance and $15 at the gate. Children 6 & under are free

Boston’s Buckaroos Kid Rodeo
March 18, 2023 | 1:00 PM
Mutton Busting, Stick Horse Barrel Races, Goat Scramble, Hay Hauling, Chuck Wagon Races & More. $8 general admission. Register kids at Dogwood Trails Festival from 9:00 AM -12:00 PM for the event.
Dogwood Jamboree:
March 25, 2023 | 7:00 PM
Classic Country Music and Comedy Palestine High School Auditorium 1600 S Loop 256
Doors open at 6:00 PM, Show at 7:00.
All adult Tickets are $18.00
Visit dogwoodjamboree.org or call 903-729-7080 for information. Looking for special hotel rates? Call 903-729-6070 or 903-724-2556.
Annual Peoples Choice Car Show:
March 18, 2023| 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM
The Cars of Palestine has been holding their annual car show for 34 years. It is held in conjunction with the opening weekend of the Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration. Palestine Senior Citizen Activity Center at 200 N. Church Street,
We award up to 30 trophies each year including Top 20, Featured Class, People's Choice Award, Best of Show and more.
Register online here.

Farmer & Flower Market:
9:00 AM -2:00 PM | March 25 & April 1, 2023
You never know what goodies you will find! The Palestine Farmers Market brings the community together while showcasing local unique, crafty, and gardening talent. 813 W. Spring Street

Art Walk:
April 1, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
First Saturday of each month in participating shops in downtown Palestine.
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