Another great party in Pease Park, Austin Texas. On the last Saturday of April, the Friends of the Forest gather to celebrate Eeyore’s Birthday. A tradition that began years ago, but has become like many of Austin’s festivals…crowded and off the hook!
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One of the best builds on the block.
Part of the peak cruising time, Saturday night on SoCo.
It’s the 10th annual Lonestar Rod & Kustom Roundup, in Austin Texas! And it’s another year that I didn’t go to the official event at the Travis County Expo Center. Instead, Katya and I just went for a bike ride to SoCo and became immersed in the biggest block party of south Austin.
A rod parked in front of Jo's Coffee, on South Congress.
As Austin grows, so does the popularity for events like this. When it’s as easy as walking out your door and going for a weekend ride or walk; Austin locals have become keen to annual events that turn an ordinary weekend into what looks like an overwhelming event. Each year the population grows, of both the city and the general attendance for most events. Locals and tourists alike seem to either have nothing better to do, or maybe these events are outgrowing their subculture roots and becoming mainstream attractions.
Cruising SoCo on a Saturday afternoon.
The Lonestar Kustom Rod & Roundup after party on South Congress just keeps getting bigger and bigger. And for the unfortunate that forget, those that need to drive quickly on South Congress for work or an errand, can be seen helplessly pounding on their steering wheel as they sit in an extraordinary traffic jam.
The Wolfman becomes visually agitated after a pneumatic display from a custom El Camino.
South bound...
It could be a night from generations past, but it's 2011 in south Austin.
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Simultaneous music on nearly every stage in Austin!
The festival, South by Southwest (SXSW) runs for about four days and packs the downtown area with people from all over the U.S. Fans and bands alike scramble to the hot dustbowl of a city to crank out some tunes and hope to somehow get signed to a record deal. See, the event started off as a chance for record producers to shop in one place for up-coming bands. I’m sure it’s still going on, but the record industry doesn’t seem to be the same powerhouse as it was B.I. (Before Internet).
But the event lives on and is just as strong, if not more so, than the years prior. It’s a chaotic bit, but if you know who you are after and can squeeze into the venue they are playing at, then it’s a feast for the ears. If not, then it’s just a stumbling chance of good tunes all over the Sixth Street area.
A dragon floats across the sky above Zilker Park.
A blue butterfly floats in front of the sun, at Zilker Park's Kite Festival 2011.
Running to launch their kite, two kids among the hundreds at Zilker Park Kite Festival in Austin
Happy Halloween!
Photo Gallery
The holiday weekend is still underway. It’s Sunday evening and after a crazy night on 6th street, the kids are about to take over on the traditional night of All Hallows Eve and rob every house of it’s candy stash.
Taking out the trash, one of my favorite Halloween Costumes from the parade at 6th street.
A bright and colorful girl walks 6th street during Halloween.
Catwoman on 6th street.
Don't shed on the table!
Students are slamming the internet looking for the latest travel information, trying to decide where the the hottest spot will be. Will it be Cancun, South Padre, Lake Havasu? Will the economy have an effect on their travel plans? Or will they go all out, do or die and reach the beach of their choice? One thing is for sure, it’s gotta be a beach! Anything less is just not the traditional arena for the college festivities and social networking (read: drinking games while wearing bikinis).
Check out some of the past spring break fun and games on South Padre Island.
Words and Photos by: Chuck Turkington
