Merryl Wash Jones

Since 1976, locals and visitors alike have enjoyed the Westfest Polka Festival, held in West, Texas, a short 15 mile drive from Waco. Visitors pay homage to the German culture in Texas with a big variety of food booths, kids' activities, a parade, baking contests, arts and crafts, a tractor pull and even a polka mass! Of course, there is also plenty of polka music and dance contests to enter and enjoy. The event is traditionally held over the Labor Day weekend, so plan to make your way out West for an unforgettable time at the Westfest Polka Festival.

The Cameron Park Zoo has the distinction of being the nation's newest natural habitat zoo. The sights and sounds of some of the world's most extraordinary animals await you at this family fun attraction. Explore the Flower Garden Banks Reef and follow the Brazos River to see a herd of bison graze, or watch otters, black bears and jaguars coexist in an amazing recreation of their natural habitat. And don't forget your camera because you'll want lots of photos of the elephants, lions, white rhinos and giraffes.

Prepare yourself for a remarkable experience when you enter Design House Studio. You will find a distinctive collection of exquisite custom fine jewelry, filled with rings, pendants (necklaces) and earrings. All unique jewelry pieces are to be worn & treasured as well as make a personal statement crafted in silver, platinum, and 14kt and 18kt gold.  A unique combination of bold, dramatic gemstones such as Sonoran Sunrise, Pink Sapphire and stunning Tahitian pearls along with two innovative jewelry lines, Dian Malouf and Pyrrha, both equally stunning await you. In case you wish to design a custom piece, you will encounter a vast collection of fine gemstones in a rich palette of colors to get you started.