Ennis offers multiple educational opportunities. No less than 13 public universities and five community colleges are located within a 45-minute drive of Ennis. The Ennis Public Library has 40,000 volumes, as well as a state-of-the-art audio-visual learning center.
Known as The Bluebonnet City of Texas (our rich green fields turn vibrant blue each spring), the city is host to the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival each April, the largest such event in Texas, along with a Hot Air Balloon Festival. Ennis also hosts The Festival of Trains. Held each September, this two-day event offers music, arts and crafts, children’s activity center, model train exhibits and train memorabilia. The Ennis Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum is a fascinating collection of train memorabilia and historic photos. Ennis features a large Czechoslovakian population. The last weekend in May, the city hosts the National Polka Festival with a parade, colorful costumes, street dancing, Czech food and desserts, and traditional Polka bands. The Top of Texas Chili Cook Off provides a hot time each spring with dancing, country music, crafts and unforgettable chili; and the Texas Christmas Celebration & Festival of Lights kicks off the season the first weekend in December.
