Convenience Big Store: The Woodlands is booked with events each April. Are they worth it?

Every April, The Woodlands is booked with events from Ironman to arts festivals. Are they worth it?

Every year, hundreds of normally suit-wearing Woodlanders (is that the right term?) swap their business casual attire for shaggy beards and tie-dye as part of the Hippy Hollow supporters group at the Ironman Texas triathlon.

April is a non-stop party in The Woodlands, with events from Ironman to The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival and LPGA and PGA Champions golf tournaments. Thousands of visitors and competitors flock into the township each weekend, pumping in millions to the local economy and, in turn, potentially helping lower property taxes.

But many of the reasons that make Ironman so exciting have also almost led to its downfall. The race has survived route changes across all three legs, political battles, weather and water quality issues and complaints from residents to get where it is today, former township chairman Bruce Tough said. Though it's a much smaller group, many residents still raise questions on widespread traffic closures during events every year.

Aside from marketing and economic benefits, proponents argue that phenomena like Hippy Hollow make it all worth it.

What do you think? Are April events worth it? Which are your favorite? Let me know at claire.partain@houstonchronicle.com.

Claire Partain, Suburban reporter producer

Claire.Partain@houstonchronicle.com

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Happy (late) Juneteenth!

Some events were canceled due to storms yesterday, but our team still got some great pics of people celebrating around Houston. Check those out here.

One last thing …

For those that feel they don't have enough space in their Montgomery County home and are in the market for homes with acreage, three multi-million ranch-style properties are now listed on the Houston Association of Realtors site in the Conroe, Montgomery and New Caney areas.

Check those out here.