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5th Annual Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest (Formerly titled Mermaid SPLASH SMTX) Returns to San Marcos

Posted on September 20, 2021 by Austinot Contributor 1

The Mermaid Fest of San Marcos, an annual festival celebrating the city’s designation (Mermaid Capital Of Texas – San Marcos), art, culture and heritage is returning this year!!!

Mermaid Fest San Marcos is back for its 2021 edition with a host of events in store for all its residents. The festival is a celebration of the city’s most important resource, the San Marcos River. There will be multiple events as a part of the festival including the two feature events: Mermaid Promenade and Downtown Street Faire.

The Mermaid Society of Texas hosts this annual family friendly event in celebration of a vibrant and creative eco-driven community united by the empowering symbol of the Mermaid.

What is the Mermaid Fest San Marcos?

The parades at the San Marcos festival are a must attend. Image via Facebook@Mermaid Society SMTX

The annual festival will see a vibrant display of culture in its parade which will feature floats, marches, music and of course, a ton of mermaids.

Among the events is the Downtown Street Faire you can encounter over 100 artisan vendors placed on the Hays County Courthouse grounds. This is the spot to enjoy local cuisine, supporting downtown eateries and pubs and swaying to live music.

There are a host of other mermaid-themed activities in store for family and friends as well. After a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival has returned with its usual excitement but a few of the events have been dropped keeping in mind social distancing norms.

Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest 2021 – Event Details Including COVID Guidelines

When: Saturday, 25 September 2021 | 10:00 a.m. – Noon – Parade, Noon – 8:00 p.m. Downtown Street Faire

Where: Downtown San Marcos, Texas

How much: FREE to the Public

COVID-19 Guidelines: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, certain events have been eliminated from the festival. Free mermaid-themed disposable masks and hand sanitizing stations available throughout the parade route. There will also be an on-site pop-up vaccination site available for public during the festival.

For More Information: www.mermaidsocietysmtx.com

Event Contact: July Moreno 512-825-2819

Event Sponsors:

HEB Title Sponsor of the Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest

San Marcos Lions Club – Presenting Sponsor of The Mermaid Promenade

La Cima San Marcos – Presenting Sponsor of The Downtown Street Faire

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This is a sponsored post. We only accept sponsored content that we believe offers a great value to our loyal readers in the Austin area. Sponsored content allows Austinot to manage the expenses of running this website and to work tirelessly to bring you extensive coverage of the area’s best deals and events. If your organization is interested in sponsoring content on our site, click here to learn how you can advertise with us.

Top 5 RV Rental Tips From A First Time RV Renter

Posted on August 29, 2021 by Austinot Contributor 1

rvshare lessons — RV Rental Tips From First Time RV Renters

Looking for RV Rental Tips? Read on below my post after our first RV rental experience.

My husband and I have discussed time and time again the idea of an RV road trip and like many other people decided this summer was the perfect time to give it a try. We hit the open road with some best friends and since then have had a lot of friends and family ask us questions about the experience. Overall, it was a trip of a lifetime and something we want to do again. Thanks to our friends at RVshare, we’re bringing you our top 5 lessons from life on the road.

5 RV Rental Tips from a first time RV Renter

1. Ask lots of questions to the RV Owner or RV Rental place

When you embark on any vacation, the first day is very exciting and you’re ready to get things going. While resorts or hotel-based vacations allow for you to settle right into vacation mode, it’s very important with an RV trip to be diligent in the first few hours as you learn the mechanics of living in a motorhome. One takeaway was that we should have spent more time asking questions – we figured things out over time, but we could have saved ourselves some time and frustration if we spent more time with the owner before heading out.

2. Set your expectations for the trip

If this is your first time renting an RV, it’s important to go into the trip realizing the first few days are going to have a learning curve. Once you give yourself 24-48 hours to figure out all the bells, whistles, and logistics of the RV it becomes very simple and easy. We were really surprised by how quickly we could hook up at our campsites and be ready to adventure.

3. Understand RV park requirements

One thing we hadn’t spent much time considering was the limitations of the RV through tunnels, narrow roadways, etc. While planning out your stops, research height limitations and any other obstacles to making your way down the road. We also ran into some road-closures that re-routed us a few hours here and there. Nothing that can’t be easily resolved, but knowing these things ahead of time is helpful.

Check out the 7 Best RV Parks in Texas

4. Have alternative transportation

We knew that it would probably be handy to have a car, motorcycle, etc. to get around, and boy, were we right! While we were able to find shuttles and taxis to the places we needed to go – it was not always very reliable and definitely not convenient. Our number one takeaway would be to have a secondary form of transportation – even if that means a bike! Most places you want to go are not that far, but adding an extra mile or two onto an already full day of hiking/activities could be easily eliminated.

5. Relaxation comes easy on an RV trip

As someone who has not camped much or ever used an RV I wasn’t sure if this would be a very relaxing trip. Boy was I wrong! The RV parks were quiet and the people were very friendly. Outside of the amazing sites we saw, spending the evenings cooking food and laughing with friends in beautiful scenery made for a great week away to recharge.

After taking the plunge and getting a full RV indoctrination, my husband and I agree this was one of our favorite adventures to date. We would highly recommend an RV trip to anyone searching for a few days or even weeks away. Our full RVshare review has a lot more info on using this cool service that’s like the Airbnb of RVs.

Ready to get started? Start booking your next adventure with RVshare.

This is a sponsored post. We only accept sponsored content that we believe offers a great value to our loyal readers in the greater Austin area. Sponsored content allows Austinot.com to manage the expenses of running this website and to work tirelessly to bring you extensive coverage of the area’s best deals and events. If your organization is interested in sponsoring content on our site, click here to learn how you can advertise with us.

5 Reasons to Rent an RV from RVshare For Your Next Family Getaway From Austin

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Austinot Contributor 1

Family in front of RV — Rent an RV from RVshare For Your Next Family Getaway

The pandemic and remote work have completely changed the way we approach work and school. Families have realized they could do their jobs from anywhere in the country. With summer winding down and cooler temperatures beckoning, many families are wondering what vacation will look like in this new world. We’re giving you the top five reasons why you should rent an RV from RVshare for your next family getaway from Austin!

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7 Best RV Parks in Texas – Top RV Resorts & Campgrounds

Posted on August 20, 2021 by Austinot Contributor 1

Here’s your new Texas Travel Bucket List! We’ve put together the best places to see and stay- via RV, car, or trailer! Texans are ready to camp, fish, and stay waterside but there’s no reason it has to be expensive. Texas RV Parks are cheap, with plenty of amenities, and a whole bunch of nature! We’re here to help you decide where to go.

Don’t have your own RV? RVshare is a great service that lets you rent an RV directly from owners so you can enjoy camping in comfort with your whole family without the expense of owning an RV.

Editor’s Note: We are committed to bringing you the most up-to-date information about each location but details are subject to change. Please contact each park for a list of complete terms before making reservations.

7 Best RV Parks in Texas

The Vineyards of Fredericksburg RV Park

Fredericksburg should be on your Bucket List even if you aren’t RVing. This serene spot in the Texas Hill Country is waiting to show you its wonderful local wineries, floats on the Guadalupe, and all of their great amenities! They have a pool and spa, a pavilion and fire pits, playgrounds and wifi, shower and laundry facilities, a dog park, and even cabins and cottages for rental! Their spacious lots are only $45 – $60 daily with a discount for certain First Responders and other organization members.

Address: 2647 N, US-87, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Time from Austin: ~2 hours

Pedernales Falls State Park

We know this is still the Hill Country but Pedernales Falls is one of the best places in stay in all of Texas! Pedernales Falls State Park is open, by reservation only, and has Instagram-worthy swim and splash spots you and your entire family will love. They have camping, hiking, biking, plenty of picnic facilities, tubing, swimming, and wading. Their campsites are primitive; you can have a fire and get electricity {30 amp} and water. They also have restrooms and showers but no pool or laundry facilities. The river more than makes up for all of that and rates are just $10 – $20 per night!

Address: 2585 Park Rd 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636

Time from San Antonio: ~ 1 hour

Galveston Island RV Resort

Galveston Island KOA resort — Image courtesy of Galveston Island KOA Facebook Page

Close to surfside, this Texas RV park may be the most bougie of them all! Enjoy pool access, a short walk to the beach, cottages for rent, and full hookups for a great price! The cottages are a pretty penny, but they’re also pretty! Summer rates can be as high as $75 but it’s a great price for some of the best amenities on the list: a lazy river, hot tub, walk-in pool, free parking and wifi, gaming, catch-and-release crabbing and fishing, and spacious sites.

Address: 23700 Termini-San Luis Pass Rd, Galveston, TX 77554

Time from Austin: ~ 4 hours and 30 minutes

Garner State Park

If the other sites on this list aren’t your favorite, Garner State Park definitely will be. Enjoy a crystal lake, gorgeous scenery, paddle boating, swimming, floating, shelters, cabins, and campsites with full hookups. They also have picnic areas, fire rings with a grill for just $35 a night. The Frio River is shallow enough for dogs and children and there are plenty of historical areas nearby to visit.

Check out a detailed review of Things to do at Garner State Park

Address: 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838

Time from Austin: ~ 3 hours

Sandollar Resort Motel & RV Park

For a crystal-clear beach experience, head out to Rockport, Texas! This cute and comfortable RV Park has a motel with two pools, bbq pits, plenty of shady oaks, bay and beachside access, a marina and pier, plus onsite games and a bar and grill! The RV site rates are $40 – $44 per day for two guests per site; additional guests are $1 per day, per person. Be sure to make reservations in advance and budget for electricity rates plus deposits.

Address: 4021 TX-35, Rockport, TX 78382

Time from Austin: ~ 3 hours and 15 minutes

Fort Clark Springs

An underground cave is the kind of thing every person should see at least once in their lifetime. Kickapoo Cavern State Park has plenty to see and do but we recommend you stay at Fort Clark Springs. They have a pool, free wifi, 50 amp hookups, restrooms and shower facilities, plus pets are allowed. Rates are $25.50 per day with tent camping nearby.

Address: Brackettville, TX 78832

Time from Austin: ~ 3 hours & 30 minutes

Palo Duro Rim RV Campground

Palo Duro Canyon State Park – Image courtesy of Texas Parks & Wildlife

This primitive camping site makes the list for two amazing reasons- because the landscape is something out of a movie, and because the temps are unexpectedly cool. You won’t find much in the way of water out here near the border but because you’re “on the rim” the temps stay cool and breezy year-round. Enjoy easy access, full hookups, strong cell signal, outdoor activities including a zipline, showers, and more. Sites are around $30 a night.

Address: 5707 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015

Time from Austin: ~ 7 hours & 30 minutes

Looking for getaways from Austin? Check out these 6 great camping locations!

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Entry to ACL 2021 will require negative COVID test or proof of vaccination

Posted on August 19, 2021 by Austinot Contributor 1

The iconic ACL Fest sign looks stunning at night. (credit: Bill Tucker)

ACL Festival Organizers announced that they will need either a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination for entry. 2021 ACL is scheduled for October 1-3 and 8-10 and will be held at the Zilker Park

According to information published on the website – The negative COVID-19 printed test result must be obtained within 72 hours (3 days) of attending ACL Festival. Patrons who are fully vaccinated may show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination instead of proof of negative test.

Information related to masks will be released closer to the festival dates.

ACL 2021 Entry Procedures – COVID & Other

Comply with the ACL Festival Fan Health Pledge
Each day, bring a printed copy of your Negative COVID-19 test, Vaccine Card, or Vaccine Record.
Bring your Festival Wristband
Please also remember our updated bag policy – CLEAR BAGS ONLY – and NO liquids are allowed to be brought into ACL Festival.

ACL 2021 Festival Fan Health Pledge – COVID Guidelines

Do not attend the festival if any of the following is true for you or anyone in your party

Within 14 days before attending the festival you have tested positive, or been exposed to someone who has tested positive for, COVID-19;
Within 48 hours prior to attending the festival, you have experienced symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., a fever of 100.4F or higher, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking muscle pain/achiness, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, nasal congestion, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue or any other symptoms associated with COVID-19 identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Within 14 days prior to attending the festival, you have travelled to any international territory identified by federal or applicable state or local governments as being subject to travel or quarantine advisories due to COVID-19.

For news related to music scene in Austin, bookmark the Music page of the Austinot

Longhorn athletes making us proud at the Tokyo Olympics

Posted on August 1, 2021 by Austinot Contributor 1

Longhorn Athletes are competing in the Tokyo Olympics

It’s been over a week into the Olympic games in Tokyo and things are heating up. Austin residents have their eyes on a multitude of athletes who have Longhorn roots. There are 21 athletes with Austin ties competing at this year’s summer games. And many of them have a chance to bring Olympic gold back to Bat City.

Longhorn Athletes making us proud at Tokyo Olympics

Kevin Durant, Men’s Basketball

Of course, we have to start with one of the greatest basketball players of this generation. KD played one season at Texas, where he won both the Naismith and Wooden awards, representing the best college basketball player in the country. Durant leads a United States team full of world-class talent. However, they had a rough time in the trials, losing two games. Still, they are the favorites to take home gold in Tokyo.

Cat Osterman, Women’s Softball

The 2020 games mark the return of women’s softball to the Olympics. Cat Osterman is making her third trip to the summer games and is eager to bring the gold back to Texas. The former Longhorn is one of the best to ever take the mound at UT, and her US team is the odds on favorite to snatch the gold this year.

Ryan Crouser, Men’s Shot Put

Crouser is no stranger to gold. In 2016, he smashed records and took the gold back to Texas. The current Arkansas track coach is expected to break his former records at the 2020 summer games. One of the greatest shot put athletes the world has ever seen, Crouser has two NCAA championships in indoor shot put, and one in outdoor.

Ariel Atkins, Women’s Basketball

On the women’s side of the court, Ariel Atkins joins Team USA on their quest for gold. Atkins was a standout guard for the Longhorns, being named an All-American in 2017 and 2018. The women’s basketball team is the favorite to win gold in Tokyo.

There are many other Texas athletes competing in the games this summer. From our staff, we wish them all the best. Hook ‘em Horns!

You can follow your favorite Longhorns by streaming the Olympic Games on Peacock or FuboTV.

How To Stream The Olympic Games | Tokyo 2020

fuboTV (free 7-day trial) has been offering sports coverage since the live streaming service got started. While the programming has changed over the years, sports has remained one of the constants. These days, over 100 channels are available. You can also opt to add more channels to your package if you find you want them. Local channels are available in most areas including CBS, NBC, FOX, and CW. ABC is not included. You’ll also have regional sports channels like AT&T SportsNet Southwest. AMC, TNT, truTV, TBS, Syfy, USA, ESPN, and other channels are also included.

Every package starts with a 7-day free trial. There are no contracts to sign, either. Your trial is your opportunity to determine whether this is the package for you, or not. fuboTV will even let you know when your trial is about to end. If you cancel your package, and you do so before the trial ends, you’ll never be charged. After the free trial, the price is $65 per month for as long as you keep your service.

Your fuboTV package will include plenty of added features that give you even more access to the content you want. You’ll have a cloud-based DVR with the option of upgradeable space. Other features include access to TV Everywhere apps and an on-demand library with 3-day replay. You’ll even have the chance to stream on multiple devices at the same time.

Speaking of streaming options, fuboTV is compatible with most of the popular streaming devices on the market. You can stream the Olympic Games using Chromecast, Apple TV, smart TVs, computers, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV devices, and more.Click here to try fuboTV free for 7 days to stream the Olympic Games online for free!

For updates on Austin area including news and key events, bookmark our homepage at Austinot.com.

Meet People, Make Friends, Build Communities with Meetup

Posted on July 30, 2021 by Austinot Contributor 1

Are you always looking for fun things to do in Austin with people who share your interests? Introducing, Meetup, the perfect site for online and in-person events.

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National Tequila Day 2021: Verified Deals & Specials in Austin

Posted on July 23, 2021 by Austinot Contributor 1

Austin: Are you ready for some great deals for National Tequila Day 2021? Saturday, July 24 is when fans celebrate the beloved liquor. And this year, it falls on the weekend – more time to celebrate and recover.

Check out our list of verified deals & drink specials to celebrate National Tequila Day in Austin!

Editor’s Note: The staff at Austinot try to bring you the most up to date information. However please remember to confirm before heading out and remember to enjoy responsibly!

Verified National Tequila Day Deals in Austin

Applebee’s

Applebee’s is now featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Teremana Tequila! This is an ultra-premium mucho margarita made with small batch tequila! Try the Blue Aloha Margarita or the Strawberry Coconut Margarita. They’re just $7 each and are available for a limited time only!

Chuy’s

Chuy’s is serving up delicious Tex-Mex and their world-famous margaritas all day. Super tequila fans will also love our Super Grande ‘Rita – that’s 22 ounces of fresh-squeezed margarita in a super cool color-changing cup. The best part – you can take the cup home! They will also serve $1 Tequila Floaters and $5 Top-Shelf Tequila Shots.

Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen

Try Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen’s Watermelon ‘Ritas for $5.99. It’s a sure shot hit combined with Cheddar’s takeout menu or Family Bundles starting at $24.99.

Chili’s

From flavors like Cherry to Peach and iconic brands like Deep Eddy Vodka to 1800® Reposado Tequila, Chili’s is changing it up each month to match the season using quality ingredients everyone loves. July’s $5 Marg of the Month, the Captain’s Stay-Cay ‘Rita, is a premium mix of Captain Morgan® Original Spiced Rum, Lunazul® Blanco Tequila, Fresh Sour, Coconut Purée, Pineapple Juice and Grenadine.

Krause’s

Krause’s Cafe + Biergarten in New Braunfels is serving up a special cocktail appropriately called Beat the Heat for Tequila Day. Take a break from floating the river and grab a refreshing treat at Krause’s Cafe for $6.00 on Saturday, July 24.

Pappasito’s

There’s nothing more authentic, more legendary, more seductive than this centuries old libation crafted in the heart of Mexico. Papasito’s has an extensive collection of fine tequilas represents the wide range of flavor and character that this Mexican staple is famous for. Try out the Pappasito’s Reserva Margarita, Agua Tranquilas, or The Ranch Water.

Torchy’s

All day, Saturday and Sunday, you can enjoy Torchy’s Weekend Cures – $3.50 for Sangria, Bloody Mary, Mimosas or a Tequila Sunrise.

Austin Taco & Margarita Festival

The Austin Taco & Margarita Festival is taking place at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater + 3TEN ACL Live + Terrace at W Austin on Saturday July 24th, 2021. Try out tacos from various vendors across town. Enjoy music from Bri Bagwell, The Watters, plus Donnie Lee Strickland and Shane Thorton upstairs at ACL Live plus Payton Howie along with Tristan Cole downstairs at 3TEN ACL Live.

El Alma

Relish one of El Alma’s diverse margaritas — which include everything from avocado to ghost pepper tequila. Happy hour specials range from $4-6 per drink and this weekend, there will be happy hour on both days!

El Arroyo

El Arroyo is partnering with YETI to bring you margaritas at their South Congress flagship location in Austin, TX. The El Arroyo team + margarita machine will be on-site starting at 11am with our bestselling El Arroyo engraved lowballs. The best part? You get a frozen margarita with the purchase of an EA lowball at the YETI bar! And get this y’all – one out of our 500 YETI lowballs will have a golden token for a FREE CUSTOM EL ARROYO YETI COOLER. The event will go on as long as supplies last, so hurry on over on Saturday!