Texas Bucket List

Texas Bucket List

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The Texas Bucket List – The Nutcracker Market in Houston

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Houston – When it comes to the holiday season, finding the perfect gift for that special someone is sometimes a tough thing to accomplish. Thankfully, down in Houston there’s a massive market held every year with things even Santa’s elves would be impressed with, the Nutcracker Market in Houston.

“It’s just a fun, crazy day,” Steph Dewaegener said.

Cecilia Campbell is one of the chairman of the market. She’s been participating in the Nutcracker Market for 14 out of the 38 years that this Christmas custom has been carrying on.

“This is huge,” Cecilia said. “We will probably have over 100,000 shoppers in our four days.”

The Nutcracker market is organized by the Houston Ballet as a fundraiser. What you see today is a far cry from what is was when it commenced in 1981.  

“I believe it’s the biggest Christmas market in the country,” Cecilia said.

What started as a small gathering has turned into a four day extravaganza featuring 270 merchants in the massive NRG arena.  

“It’s chaos to Christmas in a matter of a couple of days,” Cecilia said.

While the flood of folks who like to find good deals seem to be exceedingly female, there are a few fellas you’ll find braving the crowd.

“We do get men shoppers,” Cecilia said. “The majority are women, but we do have a lot of men who come through here. A lot of them are here to carry bags for their wives.”

Jeff Krause is one of the longest tenured trading posts in the market.  His Round Top Collection is a popular stop at the show thanks to its 45,000 square foot showroom.

“We’ve got some fun stuff, but the booth, like I said … it’s the first day, and it’s already torn up,”  Jeff said. “So we will be here probably five or six hours after the doors close just restocking and placing things where they belong.”

Jane Tabbah leads a league of Italian ladies known as Dona di Domani, or “The Women of Tomorrow”. They have a very sought after item at the market: Spaghetti sauce.

“We have made this sauce for over 25 years, and have raised over 2 million dollars on this one project,” Jane said. “And all proceeds, and I mean all proceeds, go to charity. We make a certain amount of jars, and once those jars are gone, that’s it until next year.”

While you can’t try the sauce, this is only a small sample of the insane amount of gifts you can get here.  

“All kinds of food items, clothing, jewelry,” Cecilia said. “If you name something, I can probably tell you if we have it or if we don’t have it. Our goal is to have something for every single person that walks through the door. All of the people here will spend in four days close to 20 million dollars.”

The amount of cash people spend is almost as crazy as some of the outfits you’ll find here.  

“Oh, I know. So we get the … you’ve seen it, we’ve seen the ladies that have all of the matching headbands,” Cecilia said. “We have ladies that make special t-shirts to come to the market. That’s so really they can find each other is the main reason they do that.”

If you’re looking for a merry market with a measureless amounts of marvelous goods, the Nutcracker Market is well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List.

“You’ve gotta put on your comfortable shoes, get your list together and come check off everybody from your list as you buy your gifts here,” Cecilia said.

 

The Texas Bucket List – P-6 Farms in Montgomery

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Montgomery – Fall is always a fun time in Texas. As the temperature around Texas starts to dial back a bit, you’ll also find a few cornfields built for brave souls who don’t mind getting lost for a little while.

We decided to test our sense of direction down in Montgomery at P-6 Farms.

“It’s so cool, isn’t it?” Carey Poole said.

Carey Poole is the leading lady at P-6 Farms which is a far cry from her uprising in an urban setting.

“I’m a city girl,” Carey said. “I’m from Austin. Never in a million years would I have thought this was my job.”

She started this harvest festival with her husband Bo after he had one heck of an idea.  

“My husband is an old soul at heart,” Carey said. “Anything that brings back the past, that’s what he loves to do.”

Tired of tirelessly working on the road with construction and storm cleanup, Bo wanted to make the family farm a tourist attraction tied to agriculture.  So, in 2011 P-6 Farms formally let people flood their fields.

“It just seemed like it was the right thing for our family to do, bring him home and be all together as a network,” Carey said. “His mom works out in the grill. My mom works in the pumpkin patch. My dad works at the front gate. If it weren’t for our kids and our family, we wouldn’t be where we are.”

Over the course of eight weekends in the fall, thousands make their way to Montgomery to pick the perfect pumpkin, cozy up to cotton and let the kids blow off some steam.

“I love it,” Carey said.  “There’s nothing better than the giggles of kids. They come in clean as a whistle, smiling, happy, ready to have a grand time. They leave filthy dirty, crying because they don’t wanna leave. So, I know I’m doing my job.”

The biggest attraction at P-6 is an eight acre corn field that happens to be one big maze.

“Is it not crazy?” Carey said.

This laid out labyrinth isn’t just random rows and routes. There’s a method to the maze madness.  To get a good idea about what you’re dealing with, it’s better to have a sky-high view. It takes about a year to plan out what particular pattern the corn maze will have.  With a World Championship still fresh on the minds of fans, a huge field dedicated to the Houston Astros has been a home-run, except for the folks who can’t find their way out.

“All the time they get lost,” Carey said. “But, that’s why we have a 30-foot tower. So they can look up, signal how do I get out. They tell them right, left, straight, go this way, go that way, and it’s all in good fun.”

Getting caught up in this corn maze is only a small part of what Carey hopes families carry out of this experience.  

“They need to spend quality time outdoors,” Carey said. “They need to de-escalate and enjoy themselves.”

It’s also a learning experience for kids who might not get a chance to go to the farm frequently.

“It’s nice for the kids to know where the food comes from,” Carey said. “Majority of them have no idea where their food comes from. It comes from the grocery store. So, it’s nice to educate them about the importance of farmers.”

Eventually the field will be plowed, and the corn turned into feed, but for a few weeks in the fall you can get lost on a little piece of property known as P-6 Farms. Make sure to check out this fleeting fall experience that is well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List.

“We’re already planning for next year,” Carey said. “You plan before your current season is up.”

The Texas Bucket List Christmas Edition – Texas Cowboys’ Christmas Ball in Anson

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ANSON, Texas – When it comes to holiday traditions here in the Lone-Star State, it’s not all about who’s got the largest display of lights. Over in Anson, things are much simpler. They like to cut a rug when it comes to Christmas.

Every December, the town of Anson gets together for a big ol’ bash. First, the locals prepare a traditional barbeque Christmas dinner with all the holiday favorites. As you peer into this Texas town during this time of year, you start to notice more than the extremely popular deviled eggs and the out of this world bread pudding. People here dress a bit differently. But as soon as you enter the Pioneer Hall, it all makes sense.  This is a celebration of the Texas Cowboy’s Christmas Ball. As one regular at this event put it, “This is as Texas as it gets.”

This annual Anson tradition has been the special gift locals and people from all over the country look forward to each Christmas.

Clay Deatherage was born and raised in Anson and he’s been raising Christmas spirit at the ball since he was a boy.  But the very first Christmas ball here took place in an entirely different century.

“The original Christmas Ball was held in 1885 in the Morning Star Hotel in Anson,” Clay said. “The hotel owner held a party Christmas Eve night to celebrate a wedding, and also probably to draw people to his hotel.”

One of those in attendance was Larry Chittenden. He was so impressed with the party that he wrote a poem dedicated to the one night soiree. That poem inspired two school teachers, Leonora Barrett and Hybernia Grace to re-enact the Christmas ball. It hasn’t stopped being a local Christmas favorite since. There are some ground rules that have stood the test of time here and will keep you on the nice list this Christmas.

“Gentlemen do not dance with a hat on, and that, that is just an old Texas dance hall tradition,” Clay informed us. “It’s out of respect for the lady your dancing with. Ladies are still required to wear a dress or skirt on the dance floor.”

Since 1993, one performer has been a staple of this celebration, Texas legend Michael Martin Murphey. Murphey was also inspired by Chittenden’s poem and wrote a song dedicated to the ball before he even knew it was still going on.

“I come to this ball because this is the heart of real Texas music,” Murphey said. “This hearts back to the original Texas music, cowboy music, it was invented here.”

Murphey and his band play an assortment of songs that are perfect for this sort of soiree.

“We emphasize a wide range of songs, but we emphasize cowboy music and some of the traditional cowboy songs for people to dance to, and uh so it’s a mixture of that and Christmas music,” Murphey said.

He also partakes in the old-time dancing and even he abides by the rules.

“It’s all about the heart and soul of the culture,” Murphey says. “This is sort of like if you are a New Yorker not going to Times Square on New Years Eve. You know what I mean?”

Buck Carter is another local who’s attended many Christmas Balls.

“It’s something to be proud of,” Buck says. “They have been doing it forever and a day, so.”

While the Texas Cowboys Christmas Ball is a celebration of the season, it’s also a connection to the way of life in this part of the Lone-Star State.  It’s a chance to toast the true cowboys who help cut the cloth of culture and Christmas.

“You meet the real old timers here, and that’s really an important thing to me,” Murphey says. “This is the oldest most venerable tradition in Texas that was started in Texas.”

So, if you happen to be in the Big Country during the Christmas season, swing on by the Texas Cowboy’s Christmas Ball for a holiday experience with true Texas roots that’s well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List.

“If you want to key into the culture here and really learn who we are this is the place to start,” Murphey says.

The Texas Bucket List Christmas Edition – The Tamale Burger at Hubcap Grill in Houston

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HOUSTON, Texas – Back in 2015, we honored Hubcap with our burger of the season award thanks to a little number called the Philly cheese steak burger.

That burger was so good we wanted more. That’s why we went to see the man as cool as Conway Twitty and the owner of Hubcap Grill, Ricky Craig.

“Around the holidays we like to do off the menu specials and burgers, and we have an awesome burger for you,” Ricky shared. “We want you to try it. It’s the tamale burger. Everybody loves tamales. It’s traditional during Christmas time. It’s one of my favorite foods. Of course, you know, I like my favorite foods but on a burger”

Once we scooted back in Santa’s workshop, better known as the kitchen, Ricky got things started on a burger that’s more like a Texan’s Christmas feast.

Rickey got things started with a patty made of beef chuck seasoned with a special Hubcap seasoning better known in these parts as burger dust. With a slab of butter sizzling on the grill, Rickey added threw the patty on to start cooking. Once the patty was cooked to buttery perfection, it was placed on a bun and topped with tamales. Red enchilada sauce was poured over the top, and cilantro, avocado, queso fresco, and mole sauce completed the tamale burger treat.

As Ricky says, “That’s Texas right there. The tamale burger, Hubcap style.”

When we sat down with our burger, we felt as though we had an entire Christmas dinner between two buns. Once it hit our mouths, our taste buds were hit with an incredible combination of flavors fitting for a Lone-Star State Christmas.

While the experience of eating this burger left us quite cheerful, we couldn’t help asking how someone could come up with this idea for a burger.

“My philosophy with everything on the burgers, if I like it, it’s going on a burger,” Rickey informed us.

Chances are, when Santa comes down the chimney, he’d rather have a tamale burger than cookies; at least, if Santa enjoys Texas cuisine.

“A lot of people say, ‘Oh, those are novelty burgers,’” Rickey said. “I’m like, ‘They’re not novelty.’ They just actually work. All the flavors blend in together.”

It’s definitely safe to say the tamale burger will spice up your holidays and is well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List, Christmas edition.

The Texas Bucket List Christmas Edition – Moody Gardens in Galveston

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GALVESTON, Texas – Along the shores of the Gulf coast you’ll find a few peculiar pyramids that are home to all sorts of interesting animals.

During the most wonderful time of year, these grounds in Galveston get transformed to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

Ashley Tompkins took us on a tour of the Festival of Lights and the infamous Iceland at Moody Gardens.

“It’s a really big undertaking to get ready for our holiday season,” Ashley said. “I love the Christmas season. For me, it really is the best time here at Moody Gardens.”

With more than a million lights on display over the mile-long trail of lights, every Christmas theme you can imagine is on display.

“Putting the Festival of Lights together is a lot of work, so it’s thrilling to know that we’re one of the top ones in the state,” Ashley shared. “Especially for our guests, we want to give them something fun to enjoy when they come down for the holiday season.”

But for the real frosty fun, a chilling adventure known as Iceland will really get to your bones.

“It’s about a 28 square foot tent,” Ashley said. “We have to keep it at nine degrees the entire holiday season, because we need to keep that two million pounds of ice frozen.”

“It is just a little chilly, nine degrees in here,” Ashley informed us. “It’s carved completely out of ice. We have lights along the vines of these pyramids like you would see in an actual rainforest pyramid. It kind of shows you what you’re going to see has you walk through. A lot of the plants and animals that you see here inside of Iceland, you would actually see inside a rainforest pyramid as well.”

Everything in the pyramid is carved by professional ice carvers from two million pounds of ice.

“All of the ice came as three hundred pound blocks,” Ashley explained. “It’s either clear or colored. So, that’s how everything starts. They use the chainsaw. They cut it to the size they need, and use the icepicks and drills and create everything that you see in here. So it really is very much a part of this when you look at everything that’s created.”

Each giant piece of ice features details carved freeform by hand. The experience of walking through the pyramid is breathtaking, not only for the chilling temperature, but also for the beauty and artistic ability that is on display in the sculptures.

“It really is amazing to see the detail,” Ashley said. “As they’re taking those blocks, they start transforming them into snakes, into our leaf cutter ants that are your hosts throughout the journey, into frogs. You’ll see some monkeys. You’ll see some sloths and some butterflies as well. So, they really had full artistic reign.”

What would and Iceland be without a massive ice slide? We can say from personal experience that the slide is great fun, but our butts have never been as cold as they were after we went down the giant ice slide.

If you’re not into sliding, you can always throw down in the local watering hole, Shiver’s Ice Bar.

“It is the frostiest place to get an adult beverage here on the island,” Ashley informed us.

In this part of Iceland, you never know what you’ll run into, but one thing we know for sure. It will get you into the Christmas spirit.

So come experience this chilly Christmas stop but be sure to bring something to bundle up in.

“It really is a great way to enjoy the holidays with your family,” Ashley said. “You can make lasting memories here and make it a tradition.”

Eight Quintessential Christmas Stops on The Texas Bucket List

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Oh there’s no place like home for the holidays, especially when home is in the Lone-Star State! With world famous holiday themed eats, festivals, light displays, and hotels unique to Texas, there’s a little something to get everyone in the yuletide spirit. The places, experiences, and treats featured in this list will have you saying merry Texas Christmas in no time!

Wassailfest – New Braunfels, Texas       

The lights in downtown New Braunfels shine like a beacon for Santa on the first Thursday of December, but the real treat here is the old world wonder boiled up by the folks in this part of the Lone-Star State at Wassailfest. Downtown New Braunfuls has been the place to taste this Christmas tradition since 1992. Some wassails are more spirited than others at this event featuring good food, award winning wassails, and family fun.

Watch now: New Braunfels Wassailfest

German Christmas Market – Tomball, Texas

During the second week in December, you’ve got to mossy on to Tomball. Here, you’ll find a huge Christmas market that’s been bringing together Christmas cheer and the German tradition of Oktoberfest since the 90s. Festivities kick off with a huge parade in which an official Christmas keg tapping is the grand finally. This Christmas celebration is also a cultural celebration; a chance to raise a glass to one of the many nationalities that has made Texas what it is today.

Watch now: Tomball German Christmas Market

Trail of Lights – Austin, Texas

This trail of lights has been burning bright since 1965 in the capital of the Lone-Star State. The Lights that line Lou Neff Road become a beacon of Christmas spirit in the live music capital of the world each December. With 2 million lights and 41 displays dedicated to the season, you’ll find some story time favorites, Texas themed treasures, religious displays showing the true meaning of Christmas, and far out favorites that represent what Austin is all about. However, the crown jewel of this trail just might surprise you.

Watch now: Austin Trail of Lights

Gaylord Texan Resort – Grapevine, Texas

Nobody celebrates Christmas quite like the Gaylord Texan Resort in the Christmas capital of the Lone-Star State. Over half a million visitors visit the Gaylord during the seven weeks that make up the holiday season to experience their take on a Lone-Star Christmas. No corner of the 125 acre Christmas themed paradise is untouched by the holiday spirit thanks to a talented group of artists who hand make each and every piece of decor. A snow slide, 14,000 foot ice exhibit kept at a wintry nine degrees, and a life size nativity scene made out of ice prove that everything really is bigger in Texas, even Christmas.

Watch now: Gaylord Texan Resort

Collin Street Bakery – Corsicana, Texas  

Oh what fun it is to ride to the Collin Street Bakery for some holiday delights. This little bakery in Corsicana, Texas works year round baking up a Christmas treat that’s not just a tradition in the Lone-Star State, but all over the world. Since 1896, the bakery has been getting a rise out of customers with their world famous fruitcakes. A product of the fall harvest, the one million fruitcakes sold by the Collin Street Bakery each year feature pecans, pineapple, cherries, and raisins.

Watch now: Collin Street Bakery

 Riverwalk Christmas – San Antonio, Texas

When the lights come on along the San Antonio Riverwalk, Christmas has officially begun. This light display, that is truly unique to Texas, has been spreading the joy of the season since the late 60s when the Riverwalk was built. Lights start being hung strategically during the first week in September on more than 180 trees. The grand total of strands in this display is 1,687, that’s over 21 miles of illumination. The Mexican tradition of luminárias, lit candles in sand filled bags intended to light the way for the Holy family, add to the magic.

Watch now: Riverwalk Christmas

Dickens on the Strand – Galveston, Texas

For more than 40 years, Dickens on the Strand has provided a unique Christmas experience to Texans and world travelers alike. Thousands of Charels Dickens fans make their way to Galveston to experience Christmas as it appears in the famous English author’s work. Costumes, historical buildings, and activities all fit the time in which Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” would have taken place. Galveston’s design, which parallels London during the Victorian period, makes it the perfect place to pay homage to a beloved author and his classic Christmas tale.

Watch now: Dickens on the Strand

Santa’s Wonderland – College Station, Texas

Each December hundreds of people voyage to south College Station to visit a Texas Christmas village known as Santa’s Wonderland. Millions of twinkling lights highlight what it’s like to celebrate Christmas with a Lone-Star State twist. Sprawling across 37 acres, this park has it’s own town, Santa’s Town, dedicated to the season. Sweet treats, savory eats, holiday gift shops, live music, Marshal Frostbite, a petting zoo, fine wine, fires to warm up with and cook s’mores on, and Texas Santa himself can all be found in Santa’s Town each and every night. It’s a true Texas Christmas experience.

Watch now: Santa’s Wonderland

The Texas Bucket List – Beethoven Maennerchor in San Antonio

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SAN ANTONIO, Texas – San Antonio, the city of splendid, beautiful color. Every day is an adventure here thanks to a plethora of particular things to do. Over in the Historic King William District, you’ll find the old Beethoven Maennerchor, a building that’s been around a long time and has one heck of party in October.

Claus Heide first came to the Beethoven Maennerchor when he was fresh off the boat in 1965.  He’s been a member of the singing organization for over 40 years and the club president since 1984.

“Everybody has a good time, and it’s a great place to hang out,” Claus said. So we asked him what the key is to a good Oktoberfest. His answer, “Food and beer. That’s all the ingredients you need.”

Having a long-storied history in the Lone-Star State helps as well.  You see there are Oktoberfest parties all over Texas but this one has been around since the 1860s when the Maennerchor was first established by musical director Simon Manager and former San Antonio Mayor Wilhelm Thielepape.

The names and faces of the men who have come to this gathering place over the years hang in the beer halls. Stories and memories of the time these men and their ancestors have spent here are shared during each Oktoberfest.

Since 1926, this building has had the burden of bringing smiles to beer drinking, bratwurst loving, braggadocios Texans; most of German decent, but many without.

“This is awesome because this is authentic, and it brings all the cultures together,” said Michael, an Oktoberfest regular. “To be able to experience the German culture within the confines of San Antonio, you don’t find that in a lot of cities.”

Now what’s great about the grand German get together is it doesn’t just happen in October, because this Oktoberfest takes place every month.

With so many thirsty friends on hand, I had the task of making sure the crowd was quenched. With celebratory ale in hand, we toasted the night away.

“A lot of people have it on their bucket list because it is a blast,” Claus shared. “It’s really fun.”

 

Season 9 of The Texas Bucket is List Premieres September 9th

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The show dedicated to EVERYTHING there is to see, do, and experience in the Lone Star State is gearing up for its ninth season! Entering out 5th year on the air, The Texas Bucket List has been bringing exciting Texas stories, fantastic food finds, hidden gems, and amazing annual events into the homes of viewers since 2013 and will continue to do so on Sept. 9 during the first episode of the fall season.

TBL fans can expect to see an expanded palate on the show this year, including a tour of Central Texas BBQ stops in the season opener. The Texas Bucket List Burger of the Week segment will be returning this season as host Shane McAuliffe continues to find meaty treats almost as unique as the state they are made in.

The show will also feature interesting things to do in the state where everything is bigger and better that may inspire a few tall tales. Among these experiences are a Prairie Dog Park, a long standing Christmas ball, and Canton Trade Days, to name a few.

With more excitement, food, and action than ever before, the ninth season of TBL is one you won’t want to miss. It’s no secret that Texans are proud of the state they call home.  Shane McAuliffe’s interactions with people all over the Lone Star State make it easy to see why Texans are so proud of this great state.

The Texas Bucket List airs on 23 markets television markets and has won seven Telly Awards.  TBL has also been nominated for seven Lone Star Emmy Awards.

For more information on The Texas Bucket List, visit TheTexasBucketList.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pintrist.

TO TEXAS!

The Texas Bucket List – Sam Houston Birthday March in Huntsville

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HUNTSVILLE, Texas – If you’ve ever traversed Interstate 45 between Houston and Dallas, chances are you’ve seen Sam Houston standing tall in Huntsville. But if you dig a little deeper here, you find a hot bed of history dedicated to one of the founding fathers of Texas.

Popular stops include his towering statue, the museum full of Houston history and his gravesite on the edge of the Oakwood cemetery.

Proud Texans constantly come to pay their respects here but every year on Sam’s birthday, which happens to be Texas Independence Day, a small group of Sam Houston State students come together to march.

Through the streets of Huntsville, they head north. Passing by murals of the man the hour, these students take the time and effort to reflect on the contributions Sam made not only to our state but also our country.

As they ascend the last hill towards the final destination of Sam, they find a group of Texans ready to celebrate with them.

“We come before you to celebrate the courage and the accomplishments of our ancestors who have made this great state and country what it is,” one of the presenters said as he addressed the crowd.

No matter the age, race, or background there’s one thing this broad band of Texas has in common.  Their love of the lone star state.

“Texans understand the importance of that. Not a lot of people are going to brag like oh yeah I woke up in California. No one cares,” another speaker said to the audience. “We all woke up Texans today, and that’s a beautiful thing.”

James Patton with the Walker County Historical Commission is a 6th generation Texan and he’s seen many of these marches to Sam’s Grave, a Sam Houston State Tradition that harkens back all the way 1889.

“It’s a tradition that they started, and it’s important that it continues,” James said. “And hopefully it’ll grow through the years, and more students will participate and realize the importance of Houston to his state.”

One of the newer traditions of this Texas holiday is a mystery.  For the last few years, nobody knows how long for sure, someone places a trey full of Sam favorite snacks at his resting place.  Oysters, sugar cookies, and coffee are offered as homage to Houston.

John Murray comes regularly to this celebration because he has a special connection to Sam.

“You know, everybody grows up and wants to please their parents, and that’s tough,” John said. “That’s really hard to do, but try pleasing your great great grandparents.”

With another decedent of Sam by John’s side, his own granddaughter Lila, the pair place a wreath in honor of the long time descendant.

What better way could you end a celebration of our state without welcoming a few outsiders in? If you’re not from Texas but have always wanted to be called a Texan, well now you can be baptized and become one.

“It began as sort of a joke, and it’s grown,” James said. “Initially we baptized them with Texas holly water, which is Brazos River water scented with bluebonnets sanctified at the Alamo. Well, we can’t get that any more so we use water from Sam Houston Spring.”

So stop by the great Sam Houston’s grave to honor a visionary that knew what Texas could be and still inspires people from long lines of lone star state lineages to some of the newest natives.

“I feel like today I’m a prouder Texan than I was yesterday, or than I was earlier today,” said Sam Houston State University student Maleia. “I feel like I’m more proud to be a part of Texas and of course to be a part of Sam Houston than I was before. So I feel like it would be a really, really good opportunity for all Texans to experience.”