Dogwood Bloom Watch 4-2-15

Davey Dogwood Park - 3-31-15
Photo by Michael Barnett


Spring has definitely sprung in Palestine, Texas.

 We are coming up on the last weekend of the 77th annual Dogwood Trails Celebration.

The majority of the dogwoods in Davey Dogwood Park are in full bloom and absolutely gorgeous. If you are planning to come in this Easter Weekend, make sure to drive around our historic neighborhoods and see the beautiful blooms (our azaleas are even popping out!).  

           Find a full schedule of events and activities at www.texasdogwoodtrails.com. 

Travel Tip: Don't miss the Easter Sunrise Service at Manley Mountain in Davey Dogwood Park - Sunday, April 5th at 7:00 a.m.  

Pink Dogwoods - 4-1-2015
Palestine, TX - Historic District

Azaleas - 4-1-2015
Palestine, Texas  - Historic District

Chinese Empress Tree
Palestine, Texas - Historic District

About 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.  

Established in 1846, Palestine continues its tradition of small-town hospitality.  We invite you to visit Historic Palestine and experience our attractions, exciting events, unique shopping and local flavor - recently named one of the top Travel Destinations in Texas.  

                               Find our online Visitor Guide at www.visitpalestine.com.

Dogwood Bloom Watch: 3-26-15

3-26-2015 Dogwood Update
Davey Dogwood Park - Palestine, Texas

Joining us for the 77th Annual Dogwood Trails Celebration? The next two weekends should be an ideal time to see the dogwoods.  Find a full schedule of events and activities at www.texasdogwoodtrails.com


Looking to eat, stay & play in Palestine, TX? Check out our on-line visitor guide at www.visitpalestine.com.  

Dogwood Bloom Watch 3-23-15

Dogwood Bloom Update - 3.24.2015
Palestine, Texas

Spotted: Blue Skies and Dogwoods. The sun was shining bright yesterday at Davey Dogwood Park. The 77th Annual Dogwood Trails Celebration continues this weekend with a schedule full of events. Rumor has it the weather is suppose to be perfect for the 2nd weekend of festivities.  The Dogwoods should be ideal beginning this weekend through the first week in April - we are predicting they will be in full bloom by Easter weekend.  Stay tuned.

For more information on the 77th Annual Dogwood Trails Celebration, visit www.texasdogwoodtrails.com.  Download our free visitor guide at www.visitpalestine.com.

Dogwood Bloom Update 3-19-2015

Dogwood Bloom Update - Palestine, Texas

Today's cloud coverage is not stopping the dogwoods from slowly opening up. However, we are still predicting the dogwoods to be in full bloom towards the end of March through the first weekend in April.  As you know, mother nature can be tricky in Texas.  Stay tuned.... things could change.  

To find a full schedule of events and activities for the 77th Annual Dogwood Trails Celebration, visit www.texasdogwoodtrails.com.  

Dogwoods, Trains & Plays....

The Dogwoods are blooming in Palestine!  Look at these beautiful newly-opened blossoms on this Dogwood tree. We have been watching this same tree in Davey Dogwood Park since day one.  

Dogwoods in Palestine, Texas: Davey Dogwood Park
3.24.14

We spotted these lovely bluebonnets yesterday. Spring is definitely here! 

Bluebonnets in the Historic District - Palestine, Texas

                                                          Bluebonnets in the Historic District - Palestine, Texas

The 76th Annual Dogwood Trails Celebration continues this weekend (March 29-30).....and it's suppose to be beautiful! 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.

March 27, 28, 29- 13th Annual Old Time Music and Dulcimer Festival at the Museum of East Texas Culture located at 400 Micheaux. For more information please call (903)723-1914 or Email: information@museumpalestine.org

                                               Old Time Music & Dulcimer Festival - Palestine, Texas

March 28, 29, 30- Texas Theatre presents “Ghost of a Chance” tells the story of newly engaged couple Bethany and Floyd who are each dealing with obstacles on their path to true love. For Bethany, it’s the ghost of her dead husband, Chance. Bethany has brought her finance, Floyd, and his overbearing mother, Verna, up to her cabin in the woods, the site of the hunting accident that killed Chance, her first husband. Much to her consternation, he or rather, his ghost is still there. Only Bethany can see him, so Floyd and Verna think she is crazy as she frantically tries to get rid of, well, it seems to them nobody. Chance, meanwhile, is doing everything he can to prevent Bethany from marrying Floyd. Bethany even brings in a delightfully kooky psychic to help deal with the ghost of Chance. Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets $8 Students (Ages 4-18) $12 Adults

                                            Texas Theatre - Palestine, Texas Photo by Lee Loveless Photography

March 28-30- 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.

                                                               Anderson County Courthouse - Palestine, Texas

March 29,30- Piney Woods Excursion-11:00am-3:30 pm  Palestine Depot, Park Rd 70, Palestine, TX 75801 and Rusk Depot, Park Rd. 76 , Rusk, TX 75785.  Roundtrip Excursions depart from the Palestine and Rusk depots at 11:00 am and return at 3:30 pm. The trip is 1 ½ hours each way with 1 ½ hour layover at the opposite depot for a total of 4 ½ hour experience. Box lunches come with the Lone Star Class ticket. They are available for pre-order for all classes ($10 each if not riding in Standard Class) or you may bring your own. Beverages and snacks are available for purchase in the concession car. Half-way trips for those interested in a shorter excursion may board at either depot at 11:00 am or 2:00pm and halfway through the trip switch trains when they pass at the Mewshaw Siding. Total trip is 1 ½ hours. For reservations phone: (877)726-7245 or book online at: www.texasstaterr.com

Photo Courtesy of the Texas State Railroad

March 30- Texas State Railroad’s Dogwood Special Brunch Train running out of Palestine Depot. Train ride is $50 per person no matter age and includes a lovely brunch on the train while they’re viewing the dogwoods.  Regular train ride will run out of Rusk Depot –normal pricing for train out of Rusk. Group Bookings call (903)683-3093 and regular reservations call (877)726-7245

                                                      Brunch on the Texas State Railroad - Palestine, Texas Depot

March 29, 30 Howard House Museum Tour- 12:00-4:00 pm at 1011 North Perry St.  Admission is free. For more information contact Jack Calcote at (903) 723-0268 or by email: jdcote2000@yahoo.com

                                              Howard House Museum Palestine, Texas - Photo by Stuart Whitaker

March 29 & 30 -Main Street  Farm & Flower Market –9a-5p & 11a-4p – Farmers Market Pavilion, 825 W. Spring St. – Spring is in the air and the Market has what you need! This unique outdoor market will feature bedding plants, herbs, trees, fresh produce, jams, pickles, yard art and decorations. Educational and how-to talks will be offered as well. For more information visit www.visitpaelstine.com or call (903) 723-3014.

                                                                  Farm & Flower Market - Palestine, Texas

March 29,30 – Sacred Heart Catholic Church Tours-11:00am–3:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday from 3:00 -5:00 pm at 503 N. Queen St.  For more information please call (903)-729-2463

Stained Glass Windows in Sacred Heart Catholic Church - Palestine, Texas

March 30 - Gingerbread and Coffee at Pilgrim Church 2:00pm-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.  For more information contact Wanda Burke at 903-764-5463

                                                                       Pilgrim Church - Photo by MYETX.com

We invite you to join us this weekend for a great celebration full of history, fun and dogwoods (www.texasdogwoodtrails.com). Palestine is graced with stately homes, gorgeous scenic drives and a Texas friendly welcome that offers a true Southern experience.

                                                 Local Farmer at the Palestine Farmer's Market - Palestine, Texas

Stay Tuned!

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.