Fall Fest Time

Fall for these awesome autumn events in San Marcos

The Sacred Springs Powwow honors the area's native population, known as the Coahuiltecans.

Photo courtesy of Visit San Marcos

Once fall hits, there always seems to be a reason to celebrate. Whether it's something spooky for Halloween, a music or arts festival, or a tribute to the area's indigenous people, there's always a reason to be out and about in San Marcos this autumn.

San Marcos Frights and Sounds Frights & Sounds lets you listen to more than 30 Texas-based bands.Photo courtesy of Visit San Marcos

Frights & Sounds
October 4-5
Kick off spooky season with this two-day music festival that showcases more than 30 Texas-based bands of various genres, held at different venues around downtown San Marcos. Local vendors are also invited to showcase their unique crafts and tasty treats, while attendees are encouraged to come dressed in Halloween costumes.

Sacred Springs Powwow
October 5-6
This annual two-day celebration spotlights the culture, art, traditions, and languages of the native population known as the Coahuiltecans, who have been part of the San Marcos area for thousands of years. More than 100 native dancers from across Texas gather at the Meadows Center dressed in beautiful, hand-crafted regalia and compete all day to the beat of traditional drums and songs. You can also shop indigenous arts, crafts, and authentic Native American food and drink at the Grand Market.

Lost River Film Fest
October 17-20
Cinephiles won't want to miss this four-day offering of new, independent films — culled from across the planet — with screenings and adjacent events throughout downtown San Marcos. In celebration of the sesquicentennial anniversary of its theatrical release, opening night will feature a special viewing of Boyhood, the legendary film on adolescence that was unconventionally shot over the course of 12 years in part in downtown San Marcos.

Eddie Durham Jazz Fest
October 19
This fest celebrates local legend and jazz icon Eddie Durham in his namesake park. From 11 am-6 pm, enjoy live jazz performances from Morris Nelms and the Calaboose Players, Indigo Soul featuring Sonia Love, The Blues Revue, Blue Mist, The Jamie Kreuger Group, and the Texas State University Jazz Ensemble.

San Marcos Art Squared Art Market Art Squared Art Market is happening every second Saturday through December.Photo courtesy of Visit San Marcos

Art Squared Art Market
Second Saturdays now through December
This juried arts and fine crafts market brings the best local artists together in one place. You'll find great art, live music, a free kids' arts and crafts booth, live art demonstrations, and more.

See all the upcoming markets and events happening in San Marcos here.

vacations fall events fall festivals film festival art market promoted

Amusement Park Fun

Six Flags Over Texas launches new roller coaster with a 285-foot drop

Riders on Tormenta Rampaging Run at Six Flags Over Texas

Photo courtesy of Six Flags Over Texas

CultureMap took a ride on Tormenta before it opens to the public.

Six Flags Over Texas will officially open its anticipated new roller coaster, Tormenta Rampaging Run, on Thursday, July 9, and CultureMap and other media and VIPs were given early access to experience the ride's intense thrills before its public debut.

The new coaster boasts several records — as the tallest, fastest, longest, and first-ever giga (300+-foot-tall) dive coaster in the world, topping out at 309 feet just before it sends riders plunging into a beyond-vertical, 95-degree, 285-foot drop. We take you along for the ride in the following video:

Each car of the coaster features three rows of seats with eight seats per row, servicing 24 riders at a time. During the preview event, two cars were sent out in staggered sessions, but a third car sat close by to be used if needed.

The ride's rodeo theme is strong, with multiple posters advertising fictional rodeos and a metallic gate swinging open at the start to let the ~~bull~~ car pass through.

To paraphrase Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day, the first part is a doozy, as riders are click-clacked up a steep stretch forcing them to look straight up into the sky.

The ever-so-brief pause at top affords a view of the surrounding city, the rest of Six Flags, and, in the distance, the downtown Dallas skyline. The angle feels like you're above those towering skyscrapers even though logic tells you that you aren't.

The initial plunge tests the mettle of even hardcore roller coaster fans, sending riders through the extreme drop before hurtling them into two large loops and a corkscrew before coming to another brief stop.

The 95-degree, 285-foot drop of Tormenta Rampaging Run. Photo courtesy of Six Flags Over Texas

That stop gives riders only a small reprieve before they're shot through two smaller loops and a sharp right curve before — mercifully — coming to a jolting halt as the coaster car is shuttled back into the loading station.

From start to finish, the ride lasts around 2 minutes and 45 seconds, but the first 75 seconds is spent just getting to the start of the main portion of the coaster.

All told, the drops, loops, and other elements lasts exactly one minute, which is not that long, but the time-to-thrill ratio is still high.

Misting fans and pergolas at Tormenta Rampaging Run at Six Flags Over Texas. Misting fans and pergolas will help keep riders cool while waiting in line for Tormenta.Photo by Alex Bentley

Even during the brutal heat of the Texas summer, visitors should expect lines to be long for the hot new ride. The corrals close to the ride have scattered pergolas and umbrellas for shade, as well as oscillating fans with misters. Once you reach the completely covered top platform, there are a number of ceiling fans, although they do little to stave off the high humidity.

Opinions will differ as to whether a long wait time for a short ride is worth it, but for those who get their kicks trying out the latest and greatest roller coasters, Tormenta Rampaging Run is a great new addition to the 65-year-old amusement park.

The grand opening for Tormenta is Thursday, July 9 at Six Flags Over Texas. The park is open daily through August 16.

kids families openings six flags over texas amusement parks