Austin Meeting Planner & Destination Guide 2008

AUSTIN AT YOUR SERVICE Calendar of Events January 1/1 RED-EYE REGATTA Lake Travis 512-266-1336, www.austinyachtclub.org The Austin Yacht Club welcomes the New Year with sailboat races on Lake Travis. 2008 September 9/6–9/7 BAT FEST Congress Avenue Bridge 512-441-9015, www.roadwayevents.com Celebrates all things “batty” with food, drink and entertainment. Activities include a “bat wing” eating contest, bat watching and bat education, carnival rides, bridge bungee jumping and more. 4/4–4/6 URBAN MUSIC FESTIVAL Auditorium Shores 512-314-5433, www.urbanmusicfest.com This outdoor event features live music and social activities along the banks of Lady Bird Lake. 4/9–4/13 1/21 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MARCH AND FESTIVAL Huston-Tillotson University 512-505-3006, www.mlkcelebration.com Outdoor festival celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with performances by some of the city’s finest jazz, blues and gospel musicians. TEXAS HILL COUNTRY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL Hilton Austin; Hill Country wineries; other venues 512-249-6300, www.texaswineandfood.org The best Texas chefs and wineries pair their culinary creations and fruits of the vine at a variety of venues, ranging from an exotic game ranch to a family festival in the park. 9/26–28 AUSTIN CITY LIMITS MUSIC FESTIVAL Zilker Park 877-FEST-ACL, www.aclfestival.com One of the country’s top outdoor music showcases, this event draws 130 bands to play on eight stages for three days. February 2/2 CARNIVAL BRASILIERO Palmer Events Center 512-219-1292, www.sambaparty.com Flamboyant costumes, Brazilian samba music and the uninhibited, spirited atmosphere make Austin’s Carnival one of the biggest such festivals outside of Brazil. 4/12–4/13 AUSTIN FINE ARTS FESTIVAL Downtown Austin 512-458-6073, www.austinfineartsfestival.org Nearly 200 national artists, top local restaurants, two music stages and hands-on art activities make this one of the city’s favorite festivals. October 10/16–10/23 AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL Paramount Theatre and various locations 512-478-4795, www.austinfilmfestival.com Recognized as one of the top film festivals in the country, this cinematic event shines the spotlight on top-billed films and indies alike. May 5/2–5/5 CINCO DE MAYO MUSIC FESTIVAL Fiesta Gardens 512-867-1999, www.austin-cincodemayo.com Event celebrates the Battle of Puebla where poorly equipped farmers turned back an invading French armada. Live music, food, arts and crafts, carnival rides and jalapeno-eating contest are part of the festivities. 2/17 AUSTIN MARATHON Downtown Austin 512-478-4265, www.attaustinmarathon.com One of the country’s premier races attracts nearly 11,000 participants from around the world. 10/31 HALLOWEEN ON SIXTH STREET E. Sixth Street More than 60,000 costumed revelers make this one of the country’s largest All Hallow’s Eve celebrations. 2/29–3/15 STAR OF TEXAS FAIR & RODEO Travis County Exposition Center 512-919-3000, www.staroftexas.org Austin goes cowboy as PCRA competitors hit the arena and area students exhibit prize livestock. Headline entertainers perform in concert nightly. November 11/1–11/2 TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL Texas State Capitol 512-477-4055, www.texasbookfestival.org Hear readings and attend signings with some of your favorite authors; visit the children’s chapter tent; and enjoy live music and poetry readings. 5/3–5/4 OLD PECAN STREET SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL East Sixth Street 512-443-6179, www.oldpecanstreetfestival.com Musicians, food vendors, artists and craftspeople turn Sixth Street, originally named Pecan Street, into a lively street fair. March 3/7–3/16 SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST (SXSW) Austin Convention Center and more than 50 venues 512-467-7979, www.sxsw.com Noted filmmakers, musicians and multi-media artists from around the world converge to showcase music, film and interactive media during this internationally recognized event. December 12/1–12/31 TRAILS OF LIGHTS AND ZILKER CHRISTMAS TREE 512-974-6700, www.cityofaustin.org/parks Month-long festival begins weekend after Thanksgiving with lighting of the Zilker Tree. The pedestrian Trail of Lights transforms a mile-long stretch of Zilker Park into a wonderland of lights from Dec. 14–23. June 6/12–6/15 REPUBLIC OF TEXAS BIKER RALLY Travis County Exposition Center and Sixth Street 214-904-8456, www.rotrally.com The state’s largest motorcycle gathering attracts thousands of bikers for rides, parades and music. 3/30 CAPITOL 10,000 Congress Avenue to Auditorium Shores 512-472-3254, www.statesman.com Texas’ largest race and one of the nation’s top 10K runs draws some 10,000 serious and not-so-serious runners. July 7/4 FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS & SYMPHONY Zilker Park 512-476-6064, www.austinsymphony.org The Austin Symphony hosts an annual concert of patriotic music that culminates in a spectacular fireworks display over Lady Bird Lake. 12/12–12/24 ARMADILLO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Austin Music Hall 512-447-1605, www.armadillobazaar.com Shades of old Austin are reflected at this market of eclectic gift items and local entertainment. April 4/2–4/5 CLYDE LITTLEFIELD TEXAS RELAYS Mike A. Myers Stadium, UT campus 800-687-8379, www.texassports.com The premier track & field event brings together the best high school, college and professional athletes from Texas, the U.S. and the world. 12/31 FIRST NIGHT AUSTIN Downtown 512-476-5577, www.firstnightaustin.org A public celebration of the arts, the evening includes street performances, a parade and other family-friendly activities. August 8/24 AUSTIN CHRONICLE HOT SAUCE FESTIVAL Waterloo Park 512-454-5766, www.austinchronicle.com Join amateurs and pros alike as they compete their hottest sauces in a taste-off. Dates are subject to change. To confirm, please call the Austin Visitor Center at 866-GO-AUSTIN or check the website, www.austintexas.org. W W W. A U S T I N T E X A S . O R G 13 http://WWW.AUSTINTEXAS.ORG

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Austin Meeting Planner & Destination Guide 2008 Contents Austin At Your Service Convention Facilities Convention Hotels & Local Accommodations Convention Services Group Tour Planning Banquet & Special Event Facilities Dining & Nightlife Attractions & Activities Transportation

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