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A packed week ahead: Folk fest, farmers markets, fundraisers, and more

The Kerrville Folk Festival continues its 18-day run at Quiet Valley Ranch through the week, with evening performances beginning at 7 p.m. nightly. Tuesday brings Katie Dahl and Martin Gilmore to the Threadgill Theater. Wednesday features Abigayle Oakley and Madeline Roger. Thursday night, Cindy Kalmenson and Sara Beth Go take the stage.

The week of May 25-31 is one of the busiest on the Kerr County calendar, anchored by the ongoing Kerrville Folk Festival and a wave of community events that stretch from the library to the rodeo arena.

Folk fest in full swing

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The Kerrville Folk Festival continues its 18-day run at Quiet Valley Ranch through the week, with evening performances beginning at 7 p.m. nightly. Tuesday brings Katie Dahl and Martin Gilmore to the Threadgill Theater. Wednesday features Abigayle Oakley and Madeline Roger. Thursday night, Cindy Kalmenson and Sara Beth Go take the stage.

The weekend shows step up in scale. Friday’s lineup at the Kennedy Outdoor Theater — with booths opening at 6 p.m. — includes Lucy Wainwright Roche, Chastity Brown, Brandy Clark, and The East Pointers. Saturday night brings Liv Greene, The Tiarras, Jake Xerxes Fussell, and Andy Frasco & the U.N. And Sunday closes out the weekend run with Amy Speace, Jason Ricci, James McMurtry, and Mon Rovia.

Library kicks off summer

Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library launches its Summer Reading program this week with a full slate of kickoff events. Tuesday at 2 p.m. is a scavenger hunt. Wednesday features a science program at 2 p.m. and a Friends of the Library Book Sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday brings Duplo Club at 10 a.m. and Lego Club at 2 p.m. Friday caps the kickoff week with a crafts session at 2 p.m. and Tech Help Friday at 3 p.m.

Tuesday also has Lap Sit Story Time at 10 a.m. for the youngest readers — ages 3 and under — and Thursday’s History Center Story Time runs at the Kerr Regional History Center at 10 a.m.

Arts and community

Friday and Saturday, the Hill Country Arts Foundation hosts a free Family Art History Weekend, running 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The Museum of Western Art holds its Family Free Day on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a scavenger hunt, crafts, and story time.

KACC hosts a Community Mural event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a Felted Hanging Basket Liner class Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m.

Friday evening, Camerata performs “Visions & Reflections” at First Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m. The concert is free for students.

Thursday at the Arcadia Live, it’s Not Your Granny’s Bingo at 7 p.m., alongside Poetry Slam Night at Pookie’s at 6 p.m.

A big Saturday

Saturday is the week’s most loaded day. Two farmers markets run simultaneously from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Hill Country Heritage Farmers Market at 301 Junction Highway and Heart of the Hills Farmers Market in the Water Street parking lot.

The Riverside Nature Center hosts a Hill Country Landowner 101 workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In Bandera, the Hill Country Alliance’s Rural Roundup — themed “Aging Friendly in the Hill Country” — runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Village of Hope. Free, but RSVP is required.

That evening, A Night to Unite fundraiser kicks off at the Cailloux Theater at 6 p.m. And Crider’s Rodeo and Dancehall opens its cafe at 6:30 p.m., with the rodeo at 8 p.m. and Jake Botello and the dance to follow at 9 p.m.

Live music all week long

Beyond the folk festival, live music fills venues across the county every night. A few highlights: Tuesday, the Jesse Owen Band plays Gravity Check Saloon at 6 p.m. Wednesday is Open Mic at Kerrville Favorite Saloon at 6 p.m. Thursday, the Maplewood Brothers play Howdy’s at 7 p.m. and the Pickers Circle convenes at Tailchasers at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Chris Lirette plays Pint & Plow at 6 p.m. Saturday, Havoc Wagon heads to Trailhead Beer Garden at 7 p.m. and the Steven McClintock Songwriter Series — with Steve Garry and Dickie Kaiser — runs at Lazy Days Canteen at 8 p.m. Sunday, the Junior Pruneda Jam Brunch runs at Lazy Days from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Full Moon Yoga is at Trailhead Beer Garden at 4 p.m.

Recurring this week

A few ongoing exhibits and regular events worth keeping on your radar: The Museum of Western Art’s 43rd Annual Roundup Exhibition & Sale runs through June 6, Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Hill Country Arts Foundation’s Texas Watercolor Society national exhibit continues through June 28. KACC’s SPARK! Places of Innovation — a Smithsonian-presented exhibit — runs through June 28 as well. And the Heart of the Hills Heritage Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Library events

  • Lap Sit Story Time — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com The details: A story time program for ages 3 and under with songs, rhymes, and playtime.
  • Summer Reading Kickoff: Scavenger Hunt — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 2 p.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com 

For the kids

  • Toddler Time: Things That Go — The Ridge Marketplace, 10 a.m. Information: shopsattheridge.com

Outreach groups

Community clubs & meetings

  • Kerrville Toastmasters — Security State Bank & Trust, 12 p.m. The details: Contact Kevin F. Clark at (512) 771-5845 for more information and online meeting link.

Arts & crafts

Games

Live music

  • Jesse Owen Band — Gravity Check Saloon, 6 p.m. Information: gravitychecksaloonandarena.com
  • Kerrville Folk Festival — Quiet Valley Ranch, 7 p.m. Information: kerrvillefolkfestival.org The details: Day six of the 18-day festival with performances by Katie Dahl and Martin Gilmore at the Threadgill Theater.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Library events

History Center Story Time — Kerr Regional History Center, 10 a.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com

Friends of the Library Book Sale — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com

Summer Reading Kickoff: Science — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 2 p.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com

ABCDs of Medicare — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 4 p.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com

Games

Cornhole Games — Dietert Center, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Information: facebook.com

Outreach groups

Veterans Food Bank — Hill Country Veterans Center, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Information: facebook.com The details: Food items, haircuts, clothing available. Bring valid Texas ID and proof of military service. Visit Facebook or call the center at (830) 315-3100 for more details.

Book club

Book Club with Dan Beaver — Central Provisions, 5:30 p.m. Information: facebook.com The details: The club will be discussing “A World Appears” by Michael Pollan.

Live music

Open Mic — Kerrville Favorite Saloon, 6 p.m. Information: facebook.com

Kerrville Folk Festival — Quiet Valley Ranch, 7 p.m. Information: kerrvillefolkfestival.org The details: Day seven of the 18-day festival with Abigayle Oakley and Madeline Roger performing at the Threadgill Theater.

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Library events

Duplo Club — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com

Summer Reading Kickoff: Lego Club — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 2 p.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com

For the kids

Sprouts — Riverside Nature Center, 10:30 a.m. Information: riversidenaturecenter.org The details: Explore the wonders of nature through story time with your preschooler.

Tunes for Tots — Central Provisions, 10:30 a.m. Information: centralprovisions.com

Poems & Games

Not Your Granny’s Bingo — The Arcadia Live Theater, 7 p.m. Information: thearcadialive.org

Monthly Trivia — Central Provisions, 7 p.m. Information: facebook.com

Poetry Slam Night — Pookie’s, 6 p.m. Information: facebook.com

History webinar

Plan a Trip Worth Talking About: Exploring Texas Through Stories — Online Webinar, 6 p.m. Information: thcfriends.org The details: For more info and to register, click here.

Live music

Country Nights Open Mic Night — Gravity Check Saloon, 6 p.m. Information: gravitychecksaloonandarena.com

Toby Lee Happy Hour — Kerrville Favorite Saloon, 6 p.m. Information: facebook.com

Pickers Circle — Tailchasers Patio + Pub, 6:30 p.m. Information: tailchaserstx.com

The Maplewood Brothers — Howdy’s Bar & Chill, 7 p.m. Information: facebook.com

Kerrville Folk Festival — Quiet Valley Ranch, 7 p.m. Information: kerrvillefolkfestival.org The details: Day eight of the 18-day festival with Cindy Kalmenson and Sara Beth Go performing at the Threadgill Theater.

Friday, May 29, 2026

Games

Cornhole Games — Dietert Center, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Information: facebook.com

Outreach groups

Free Pet Food Friday — KPA Safe House, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information: info@kerrvillepetsalive.org

The arts

Family Art History Weekend — Hill Country Arts Foundation, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: hcaf.com The details: A free family event!

Library events

Summer Reading Kickoff: Crafts — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 2 p.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com

Tech Help Friday — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 3 p.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com

Performing arts

Camerata: Visions & Reflections — First Presbyterian Church, 4 p.m. Information: cameratasa.org The details: The performance is free for students. For info and tickets, click here.

Arts & crafts

Pick Your Piece Paint & Sip — The Color of Clay, 7 p.m. Information: thecolorofclay.com

Live music

Jojo Fire — Turtle Creek Vineyard, 4:30 p.m. Information: facebook.com

Kyle Broll — Cafe at the Ridge, 5:30 p.m. Information: shopsattheridge.com

Chris Lirette — Pint & Plow Brewing Co, 6 p.m. Information: pintandplow.com

The Limestoners — Truffles & Vines, 7 p.m. Information: trufflesandvines.com

Karaoke — Gravity Check Saloon, 7 p.m. Information: gravitychecksaloonandarena.com

On Deck Happy Hour: Guthrie Moss — The Arcadia Live, 7 p.m. Information: thearcadialive.org

Checkmate Duo — Elm Waterhole Saloon at the YO Hotel, 7 p.m. Information: yoranchhotel.com

Cactus Country — Howdy’s Bar & Chill, 7 p.m. Information: facebook.com

JJ Slater — Central Provisions, 7 p.m. Information: facebook.com

The Q-Tips — Lazy Days Canteen at Roddy Tree, 8 p.m. Information: lazydaysandstarrynights.com

Kerrville Folk Festival — Quiet Valley Ranch, 7 p.m. Information: kerrvillefolkfestival.org The details: Day nine of the 18-day festival with Lucy Wainwright Roche, Chastity Brown, Brandy Clark, and The East Pointers performing. Kennedy Outdoor Theater and food and craft booths open at 6pm, concert starts at 7pm.

Saturday, May 30, 2026

Outdoor activities

Texas Watersheds Cleanup — Kerrville Schreiner Park, 7:30 a.m. Information: facebook.com

Kerrville Walking Group — 8 a.m. Information: www.kerrville.xyz The details: Join the KWG on Saturday mornings for nature walks. Most routes are 2-4 miles. Visit website for exact meeting location and further details.

Markets and shows

Hill Country Heritage Farmers Market — 301 Junction Hwy, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Information: facebook.com

Heart of the Hills Farmers Market — 741 Water St Parking Lot, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Information: facebook.com

Newsom-Ripley Show Goats Sale — Hill Country Youth Event Center, 1 p.m. Information: facebook.com

The arts and the crafts

Life Drawing — Hill Country Atelier, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Information: hillcountryatelier.org The details: Join Saturday mornings for Life Drawing with local artists. No instruction. Drop-in (no registration), $15 per session. For more info, click here.

Felted Hanging Basket Liner Class — KACC, 9:30 a.m. Information: kacckerrville.com

Family Art History Weekend — Hill Country Arts Foundation, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: hcaf.com The details: A free family event!

Community Mural — KACC, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: facebook.com

Family Free Day — Museum of Western Art, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: museumofwesternart.com The details: Featuring a scavenger hunt, crafts, and story time.

Community workshops

Rural Roundup — Village of Hope, Bandera, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: hillcountryalliance.org The details: The theme is “Aging Friendly in the Hill Country” and is free, RSVP required. Register through link above.

Hill Country Landowner 101 — RIverside Nature Center, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information: riversidenaturecenter.org The details: For more info and to register, click here.

Celebration

Doyle Honoree Celebration: Raymond Hardee — Doyle Community Center, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Information: facebook.com

Live music

April Hall Duo — Singing Water Vineyards, 1 p.m. Information: singingwater.com

Homer Weisenant — Turtle Creek Vineyard, 2:30 p.m. Information: facebook.com

David Selbo — Singing Water Vineyards, 5 p.m. Information: singingwater.com

Time Bandits — Tailchasers Patio + Pub, 5 p.m. Information: tailchaserstx.com

Kathy & Michael Broussard — Cafe at the Ridge, 5:30 p.m. Information: shopsattheridge.com

Havoc Wagon — Trailhead Beer Garden, 7 p.m. Information: trailheadbeergarden.com

Karaoke — Gravity Check Saloon, 7 p.m. Information: gravitychecksaloonandarena.com

The Maplewood Brothers — Howdy’s Bar & Chill, 7 p.m. Information: facebook.com

The Limestoners — Central Provisions, 7 p.m. Information: facebook.com

The Q-Tips — Elm Waterhole Saloon at the YO Hotel, 7 p.m. Information: yoranchhotel.com

Backwoods Band — The Inn Pub, 8 p.m. Information: facebook.com/innpub

Steven McClintock Songwriter Series — Lazy Days Canteen at Roddy Tree, 8 p.m. Information: lazydaysandstarrynights.com The details: With Steve Garry and Dickie Kaiser.

Fundraiser

A Night To Unite — Cailloux Theater, 6 p.m. Information: caillouxperformingarts.com

Music festival

Kerrville Folk Festival — Quiet Valley Ranch, 7 p.m. Information: kerrvillefolkfestival.org The details: Day ten of the 18-day festival with Liv Greene, The Tiarras, Jake Xerxes Fussell, and Andy Frasco & the U.N. performing. Kennedy Outdoor Theater and food and craft booths open at 6pm, concert starts at 7pm.

The rodeo

Crider’s Rodeo and Dance — Crider’s Rodeo and Dancehall, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Information: cridersrandd.com The details: Cafe opens at 6:30pm, rodeo starts at 8pm, Jake Botello and dance starts at 9pm. Click here for ticket and table information.

Sunday, May 31, 2026

Live music

Junior Pruneda Jam Brunch — Lazy Days Canteen at Roddy Tree, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information: lazydaysandstarrynights.com

Chris Lopez — Singing Water Vineyards, 1 p.m. Information: singingwater.com

Bob Stewart — Gravity Check Saloon, 1 p.m. Information: gravitychecksaloonandarena.com

Toby Lee Songwriter Series — The Boat, 2 p.m. Information: facebook.com The details: With Bernie Nelson.

Susan Herndon — Turtle Creek Vineyard, 2:30 p.m. Information: facebook.com

The Habitat — Central Provisions, 3 p.m. Information: facebook.com

Danny Brooks & Lil Miss Debi — Tailchasers Patio + Pub, 3 p.m. Information: tailchaserstx.com

Wellness

Full Moon Yoga — Trailhead Beer Garden, 4 p.m. Information: trailheadbeergarden.com

Music festival

Kerrville Folk Festival — Quiet Valley Ranch, 7 p.m. Information: kerrvillefolkfestival.org The details: Day eleven of the 18-day festival with Amy Speace, Jason Ricci, James McMurtry, and Mon Rovia performing. Kennedy Outdoor Theater and food and craft booths open at 6pm, concert starts at 7pm.

Author

Growing up in Southern California, Louis Amestoy remained connected to Texas as the birthplace of his father and grandfather. Texas was always a presence in the family’s life. Amestoy’s great-grandparents settled in San Antonio, Texas, drawn by the city’s connections to Mexico and the region’s German communities. In 2019, Louis Amestoy saw an opportunity to make a home in Texas. After 30 years of working for corporate media chains, Louis Amestoy saw a chance to establish an independent voice in the Texas Hill Country. He launched The Lead to be that vehicle. With investment from Meta, Amestoy began independently publishing on Aug. 9, 2021. The Amestoys have called Kerrville home since 2019.

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