Spring Has Arrived

Today marks the first day of spring.  This season brings you birds singing, warmer weather, and lots of beautiful flowers. Hopefully, we can say goodbye to our winter weather and start enjoying the outdoors and brighter days.  

The Dogwoods are beginning to bloom in Palestine....JUST in time for the 76 year-long tradition that takes place every spring.  The beautiful photo below was taken yesterday by our friends at MYETX.com.  Perfect timing (don't you think?)!

Dogwood in Davey Dogwood Park 3.19.14 - Palestine, Texas
Photo by MYETX.com

Even though the blooms will not be at their peak this weekend, there are going to be nice blooms to see. As the weather warms and the sun stays out, we are predicting that the dogwoods should be abundant the last two weeks of the Dogwood Trails Celebration (March 28-30 & April 4-6). 

The photos below were taken today in Davey Dogwood Park.  

Davey Dogwood Park 3.20.19 - Palestine, Texas

The 76th Annual Dogwood Trails Celebration kicks off this weekend in downtown Palestine. For those planning to attend this weekend's festivities, below is a sample list of things to see and do.  For a full schedule of events, visit www.texasdogwoodtrails.com.

First Weekend (3/21-3/23)

March 21-23 Main Street Architectural Scavenger Hunt - Find the architectural gems of the main Street district. Pick up your “Hunter Tips” at the visitor center, download from www.visitpalestine.com, or find them on the Main Street Facebook page. For more info call (903) 723-3014.

March 22- 76th Annual Dogwood Trails Festival 9:00 am until 4:00 pm presented by the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce and Sponsors.   Featuring Arts & Crafts Vendors, A Kids Zone Area, and Live Entertainment.  Gate charge $1.00 with children 12 & under Free.  Proceeds will go to local Non-Profit Organizations.  

Festival Bands - Free Live Music

Old Town in the Hollow (Saw Dust Stage)

Lauren Alexander playing from 1pm-2:30pm

Phil Pritchett playing from 3:30pm-5pm

Don't miss the Doo-Wop Cruise at the Courthouse Square

6pm-10pm; Gather at the Square and show off your antique car of hot rod. 

Listen & dance to the hits of the 50's-60's. 

Anderson County Courthouse - Palestine, Texas
Photo by Stuart Whitaker

March 22  Annual Cars of Palestine Car Show-10am until 3pm Located on Spring St. next to Kroger’s.  Classic and Special Interest Autos  $ 20.00 pre-registration, $ 25.00 on show day. Trophies will be awarded. Cost for Spectators: $3.00 Adults & 11 and under free              

March 22-23 Howard House Museum Tour-12pm-4pm at 1011 North Perry St.  Admission is Free. 

Howard House Museum - Palestine, Texas
Photo by Stuart Whitaker

March 22- Anderson County Master Gardeners Annual Tree Sale–7:30am until 4:30pm. Located in the parking lot behind the Federal Building on 101 E. Oak St.  We will have a variety of trees and shrubs as well as white and pink dogwoods.

March 22, 23 - Sacred Heart Catholic Church Tours-11am–3:30pm on Saturday and Sunday from 3:00 -5:00 pm at 503 N. Queen St. Admission is Free

Sacred Heart Catholic Church - Palestine, Texas
Photo by Jack Coleman

March 23 - Gingerbread and Coffee at Old Pilgrim Church 2pm-4pm on Sunday.  Members of the Pilgrim Cemetery Association will serve gingerbread and coffee at the Old Pilgrim Church, the first Protestant church in Texas.  The reconstructed log church will be open to the public, and visitors can enjoy tours of the historic cemetery and tales of the pioneer family. Free

Pilgrim Church, First Protestant Church in Texas
Elkhart, Texas

We invite you to join us this spring for a great celebration full of history, fun and dogwoods. 

Spring 2013 - Historic District in Palestine, Texas
Photo by Jack Coleman

Stay Tuned....

Blue Skies and Sunshine

After a chilly and wet weekend, the sun is finally out.

Daffodils in the Historic District - Palestine, Texas

The 76th Annual Dogwood Trails Celebration kicks off this weekend and the forecast is looking great! Perfect timing for the first day of spring (3/20).

www.texasdogwoodtrails.com

Our friends at MYETX.com snapped this photo over the weekend. The dogwood trees in Palestine are loaded with buds and beginning to open.

Dogwood Tree in Palestine, Texas

Today, we drove out to Davey Dogwood Park and took a photo of the same tree from last week.  Do you see what we see?

Dogwood Tree in Davey Dogwood Park - 3.17.14

Dogwood Tree in Davey Dogwood Park - 3.17.14

Even though the blooms will not be at their peak this weekend, there should be some nice blooms to see. As the weather warms and the sun stays out, we are predicting that the dogwoods should be abundant the last two weeks of the Dogwood Trails Celebration (March 28-30 & April 4-6).  

For a full list of events and activities, visit www.texasdogwoodtrails.com.

Stay tuned!

The First Day of Spring is Just Around the Corner

The beautiful white bloom of the dogwood is one of the first signs of spring in East Texas forests. 

Dogwood in Palestine, Texas taken by MYETX.com

With only seven days left until the first day of spring, the dogwood trees are developing buds and doing very well.

Dogwood Buds in Davey Dogwood Park - Palestine, Texas

Dogwood Buds in Davey Dogwood Park - Palestine, Texas

Even though the blooms will not be at their peak for the first weekend of the Celebration (weekend of March 22), there should be some nice blooms to see. As the weather warms and the sun stays out, we are predicting that the dogwoods should be abundant the last two weeks of the Dogwood Trails Celebration (March 28-30 & April 4-6).  

We have had a very “icy” start to 2014, however, there has been a pop of color in our neighborhoods.  

Japanese Magnolia in Palestine, Texas - Photo take by MYETX.com 

Pink Camellias in Palestine, Texas  

Stay tuned! 

For more information about the 76th Annual Dogwood Trails Celebration and a list of events, visit www.texasdogwoodtrails.com.

Follow the Dogwoods to Palestine, Texas

Dogwoods in Palestine, Texas

Palestine is a charming East Texas town that boasts more than 1,800 historic sites, including the Main Street District.  Home to the Texas State Railroad and Dogwood Trails, Palestine is graced with stately homes, gorgeous scenic drives and a Texas friendly welcome that offers a true Southern experience.

Why Palestine? Palestine is the ideal destination for the heritage and culinary tourist.  The City of Palestine has more buildings in the National Register of Historic Places than any Texas City except Galveston.  Established in 1846, as a center of commerce and culture, Palestine continues its tradition of small-town hospitality. Downtown buildings display architecture from the early 1800s and are filled with specialty shops, antiques stores and local flavor.  Palestine is home to Eilenberger’s Bakery, known as the oldest bakery in Texas, and the historic Texas Theatre, which hosts a variety of productions yearly.

If festivals are your forte, then plan a road trip to the 76^th Annual Dogwood Trails Celebration (www.texasdogwoodtrails.com). This long-time celebration takes place the last two weekends in March and first weekend in April.  Activities are scheduled each weekend to compliment the Celebration, including a festival the first weekend. Don't miss the Piney Woods Excursion and ‘Dogwood Train Brunch’ at the Texas State Railroad, Dulcimer Music Festival, Main Street Farm & Flower Market, live productions at the Texas Theatre & much more.  Enjoy the delicate beauty of the dogwood trees in Davey Dogwood Park or take a drive through the unique historic neighborhoods and see restored Victorian homes with beautiful yards filled with magnolia trees.

We invite you to enjoy our charming B&Bs, modern hotels, spas, wineries, bakeries, diverse shopping and restaurants for all palettes. For more information, visit www.visitpalestine.com or contact the Palestine Visitor Center at 903-723-3014.

The Dogwoods are in BLOOM!

This weekend is going to be the PRIME time to see the dogwood blooms this season. 

There are still a few that are waiting to open, but they are extremely neat looking. 

The center of the dogwood is the actual flower. If you look closely, the little green bulbs bloom as well. You can see it in this picture.

Below are more pictures of the dogwood blooms taken on Thursday inside Davey Dogwood Park. They look fantastic. We could not be more excited, especially after the lack of blooms we had last year. There are a good amount of dogwood to see in the park and all around town. 

There are many other dogwood trees to see all over town. South Sycamore St. is a great street and looks good with all the historic homes. Plus, there are trees all over the South Side and North Side historic district. Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center and get a map, so you can find these neighborhoods.

Want to see more pictures? Check us out on Instagram @texasdogwoodtrails. Our instagram account also shows up on our website: www.TexasDogwoodTrails.com!

Want to win a DIAMOND?!

If you haven't heard on Facebook! We are hosting a Davey Dogwood Park Reforestation event!

Anderson County and Palestine Economic Development Corporation have teamed up to host a reforestation event inside Davey Dogwood Park. There are 750 seedlings to be planted, so take a small break from the festival and come to the DDP on Saturday, March 16 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.

You can win a 1/3 ct. DIAMOND for planting a dogwood seedling. For each seedling you plant, that is one entry to win. Big thanks to Steve Neel Jewelers and the Law Office of Brian Walsh for sponsoring the diamond.

It is actually really easy to plant a dogwood seedling. You just take a small shovel wiggle it in the ground a make a small hole that the seedling will fit in, place it in the hole, fill the dirt back in... DONE.

We have the seedlings and we have some shovels (if you happen to have a shovel and feel like bringing it... go for it) and we will have people there to help you. Planting locations have been marked with orange flags, so you will know you are planting in the right place. EASY RIGHT? We think so.

Also, the flags are numbered. After you plant your tree or TREES you can tell us the numbers where you planted, we will take down your information and email you the GPS coordinates so that way you can find your seedling and check on its progress year after year!

We hope to see you there!

Beautiful Full Blooms/Fresh Buds in time for the festival!

Tomorrow is the Dogwood Trails Festival! Check out www.TexasDogwoodTrails.com to get the details on the events and activities happening at the festival and all over town!

 (The red buds look amazing!)

We took a drive through Davey Dogwood Park today to check on the progress of the blooms. We have a few trees that have bloomed, but are not a full bloom and many that are ready to open!

Davey Dogwood Tips!

When you enter the park, it is a gorgeous view of greenery and red bud trees. As you get deeper into the park you will start to see more dogwood trees and there VERY full buds.

Make sure you visit Manley Mountain when you enter the park; it is at the top of the first hill to the left. Manley Mountain is a look out point where you can see for miles.

(View from Manley Mountain.)

A great photo op of a single dogwood tree is at the bus entrance. There is one beautiful lone dogwood tree. It is one of the best trees in the park and is the tree we use when determining when the dogwoods are going to bloom.

(The lone dogwood tree at the bus entrance.)

The BEST place to take pictures is in the pavilion and picnic area. This is were we have the most concentration of dogwood trees in the whole park.

(View looking at the pavilion.)

Mostly Buds with a Slight Chance of Blossoms

After taking a stroll through Davey Dogwood Park this morning, we could see that there are many trees with buds on them but only a few have started to bloom.

(A bloom found this morning!)

Currently, we do have one tree in bloom. It is past the bus entrance to Davey Dogwood Park on the left hand side of the road going toward the pavilion.

Typically this is the week that the dogwood buds to start to bloom. However, this year due to more constant cooler weather, the buds are blooming a little later than they have over the past five years. We are predicting that the weekend of March 23 will be when the dogwood blossoms are at their peak!

When you come down for the Dogwood Trails Celebration and visit for the festival this weekend, make sure you drive through Davey Dogwood Park. Even though there won't be as many blooms as we had hoped, there will be a few and the buds and yellow blossoms are pretty as well.

Dogwood Blossoms are Taking a Peek!

The buds are starting to peek open and a few are in early bloom.

Mark Price, our expert horticulturalist says the blooms will not be at their peak for festival weekend (weekend of March 16), but there will be nice blooms to see.

We are predicting that the dogwoods will be in full bloom just before the second weekend of the Celebration.

Remember! The Celebration is the last three weekends in March. This is a time honored tradition and many businesses and organizations are hosting events and activities to celebrate. Check out, www.TexasDogwoodTrails.com to see what is happening all three weekends and decide when you want to visit the Dogwood Trails.

Rain = Blooms in Palestine, Texas!

It was rainy here in Palestine, Texas all weekend long (January 25-27). While most Texan appreciate the rain, we are not always huge fans of nasty weather, but in Palestine, rainy weather conditions equal great blooming conditions. 

In order to have a good blooming season we need to have good, cold rain during the months of November, December and January. We did not see much rain in November, but did see some in December. In January there was a good amount of cold rain and we were excited to the burn ban lifted for Anderson County. We are hoping to see more in February to make up for November. 

Below is a wet and GREEN Davey Dogwood Park!

We saw signs of life!

While we were exploring Davey Dogwood Park we saw buds on a few dogwood trees. They are appearing earlier in the season than usual, but our expert horticulturalist says this is a good sign that we may be seeing more blooms this year. This is good to hear. Last year, we saw fewer blooms than we were expecting due to the drought in 2011. We are hoping for a fantastic 2013, but we will have to keep waiting through February to know for sure.

Below is dogwood tree buds in the rain!

Keep checking back to stay posted on the progress of the blooms and activities happening leading up to and during the Dogwood Trails Celebration. Like us on Facebook and get involved in the 75 Days of Giveaways at www.facebook.com/dogwoodtrails.