4 Waxahachie Celebrations You Won't See Anywhere Else

4 Waxahachie Celebrations You Won't See Anywhere Else

By Meagan Camp

Waxahachie's reputation as a city of celebration is no joke. We have festivals and events year round that attract cinephiles, history buffs, interior designers (and Pinterest lovers) and even time travelers with an affection for England in the 16th century. Choose a month on the calendar and you can bet that we have something family friendly and unexpected that we are celebrating.

Crossroads of Texas Film & Music Festival, every April, www.crossroadsoftxff.com. Ellis County has an unexpectedly rich history with Hollywood having been the setting for numerous indie and big budget films including the Oscar-winning "Places in the Heart" written as a love letter to writer Robert Benton's childhood growing up in Waxahachie. Every year filmmakers, movie buffs, critics and songwriters gather in Waxahachie to enjoy this history at various locations including the vaudeville-era Texas Theater built in 1890.

Scarborough Renaissance Festival, every April through Memorial Day Monday, www.srfestival.com. For those of us who grew up in Waxahachie, Scarborough Renaissance Festival is also synonymous with the end of the school year. One May Monday is student days at Scarborough, and you knew that the day would consist of eating candied almonds, riding the swing rides that are run by the men in period costumes and getting a flower crown from a lady in a corset and bulbous skirt. Music, comedy shows and a space that truly transports you to another time every spring. It's a must-do every year.

Gingerbread Trail Tour of Homes, the first weekend in June, www.gingerbreadtrail.net. Another facet to the unexpected charm of Waxahachie is its place in the history of home design. During the cotton boom of the late 1800s, merchants and farmers were building majestic mansions in the late-Gothic "Victorian" style that is the look of the now historic homes that dot the downtown Waxahachie streets. Homeowners cherish the look and authenticity of these properties and let curious design enthusiasts take tours every June during this festival.

Texas Country Reporter Festival, every October, www.texascountryreporter.com/festival. Famed Texas writer and TV personality Bob Phillips fell in love with Waxahachie years into his career as the face of "Texas Country Reporter." Every fall, Phillips and his co-host, wife Kelli, celebrate their passion for small-town Texas by inviting the artists, vendors and small businesses they profile on their show to showcase their talent at a sprawling outdoor festival right on the square every October.