It’s Bluebonnet Time!

The 71st Annual Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival, presented by the Ennis Garden Club, returns to the heart of historic downtown Ennis beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, April 14 and continuing daily through Sunday, April 16 at 6 p.m. The festival will feature an abundance of activities and live music throughout the weekend as well as a spectacular array of Texas bluebonnets across 40 miles of trails.

Daily admission for the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival is $5 per person with children 12 and under free. There is no fee to enjoy the 40 miles of driving trails throughout the month of April. Festival activities include arts and crafts exhibitions, shopping, children’s activities, the railroad and cultural heritage museum and delicious food options. Visitors also can enjoy the beer garden or sample Texas wines at the Ennis Education Foundation Wine Wander.

Wear your cowboy boots Friday evening to get down with King George. On Saturday get wild with Slippery When Wet, The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute Band. The Windbreakers will close out the weekend with their high-energy on Sunday. Fireworks will cap off Friday and Saturday night festivities.  A complete lineup of entertainment is online at bluebonnettrail.org/

Ennis was named the Official Bluebonnet Trail of Texas and the Official Bluebonnet City of Texas by the 1997 State Legislature. Visitors can experience 40 miles of mapped bluebonnet trails during the entire month of April. These trails are the oldest known trails in the state of Texas. Along the route, visitors will enjoy tree-lined country roads, longhorn cows, horses and, of course, bountiful fields resplendent with colorful wildflowers.

Visitors are encouraged to download the free Ennis Y’all app to get the best route for the specific day of their visit or check online at bluebonnettrail.org. The app also provides recommendations on the best places to shop, dine and stay. A current map and information will also be located at the Ennis Welcome Center, located at 201 NW Main.

While in Ennis, make plans to visit the Downtown Ennis Bluebonnet Market, located on N. Dallas Street, open every Saturday from 8am to noon April through October.  The market features fresh produce, baked goods, hand-spun pottery, jewelry, clothing, artisan gifts and family-friendly live entertainment.

The Ennis Welcome Center will be open 7 days a week in April (except Easter Sunday, April 17th) to help guide bluebonnet seekers to get the most out of their visit.

For daily bluebonnet updates, contact the Ennis Welcome Center at (972) 878-4748 or follow Visit Ennis, Texas on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Bluebonnet fans can also follow Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival on Facebook.

The staff encourages visitors to call, email, or visit the website for the latest status of the bluebonnets before driving out to the trails. Status updates are available online at bluebonnettrail.org and on the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival Facebook page.