AUSTIN, TX - Some 500,000 visitors succumb to “March Madness” in Austin while enjoying basketball championships, listening to music, sampling world-class cuisine, sipping wine and more. Their presence represents an estimated economic impact of nearly $60 million. Newer events such as the Austin Chocolate Festival and Spring Garden Festival add to the busy March calendar that already includes South by Southwest and the Star of Texas State Fair and Rodeo. UIL Girls and Boys State Basketball Tournaments at the Frank Erwin Center tip off the month’s schedule. The championships bring approximately 146,000 players, coaches and fans to Austin for a combined economic impact of more than $8 million. Girls from 20 high school teams compete March 1-3, while the boys championship takes place, March 8-10. More information is available at www.uil.utexas.edu. Texans celebrate Texas Independence Day March 2-4 with a parade, barbeque cook-off, 5k fun-run and celebration at the State Capitol. The 5k run takes place at 9 a.m., and the parade begins at 11 a.m. on Congress Avenue on March 3. Get the Lone Star spirit at http://celebratetexas.org. The second annual Austin Chocolate Festival sweetens up springtime with tastings and competitions from more than 50 participating restaurants, bakeries, chocolatiers and patisseries, March 2-4, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Tuscan Hall, 16221 Crystal Hills Drive. Eat dessert first at http://austinchocolatefestival.com. The University of Texas opens its doors for Explore UT on March 3. The “biggest open house in Texas” invites thousands of schoolchildren from throughout the Lone Star State to experience UT’s arts programs, architecture and engineering, the mysteries of science and the cultures of the world. Expand your horizons at www.utexas.edu/events/exploreut. The capital city celebrates all things Texas at the Texas State Arts Festival, March 3-4 at Congress Ave. and Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Guests spend the day among Texas arts and crafts vendors, musicians, foods and historical performances. Everything’s bigger at www.roadwayevents.com. Traditional and unconventional kites soar above the city on March 4 during the 79th annual Zilker Park Kite Festival. One of the oldest kite flying events in the country draws thousands of professional and amateur kite-flyers and features contests such as “most unusual” and “steadiest kite.” To catch the breeze, visit www.zilkerkitefestival.com. From March 9-24, the Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo transforms the Travis County Exposition Center into a Western extravaganza for Rodeo Austin. Livestock shows, a carnival, Xtreme bull riding and concerts offer entertainment. A diverse group of artists perform, including Kevin Fowler, Trace Adkins, Taylor Hicks, Miranda Lambert, Foreigner and Kenny Rogers. Saddle up and ride at www.staroftexas.org. South by Southwest (SXSW), one of the most influential multi-media events in the world, runs March 9-18. The 21st annual conference welcomes nearly 30,000 attendees and generates an estimated $38 million impact on the local economy. The SXSW Music Festival showcases more than 1,400 acts on 60 stages throughout the city. During the day, registrants attend a full range of panels, seminars and interviews with industry leaders, as well as a tradeshow at the Austin Convention Center. A keynote speech by Pete Townshend highlights the music conference, Wednesday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m. The Film Festival features Frank Capello’s He Was a Quiet Man, Alejandro Monteverde’s Bella and 180 other feature-length and short films, 60 of which premiere at the festival. The interactive conference brings together the best in digital design and creativity. On March 12 at 2 p.m., famed former newsman Dan Rather delivers a keynote speech about how emerging web technology shapes the news. For more information, visit www.sxsw.com. On March 10-11, more than 1,000 national crew team members make their way to Austin for the Heart of Texas Regatta on Town Lake. Dip your oars at www.austinrowing.org. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center marks the beginning of wildflower season with An Artisans Festival, March 17-18. From fine art to folk art, more than 20 craftsmen showcase paintings, metalwork, photography, pottery and more. Children’s activities and book signings also highlight the schedule. Join the festivities at www.wildflower.org. Runners take off from a starting line on Congress Avenue and wind their way to the finish at Auditorium Shores during the annual Capitol 10K, March 25. Texas’ largest race remains one of the nation’s top competitions, drawing some 10,000 amateur and professional participants. Hit the ground running at www.runtex.com. The best Texas chefs and wineries pair their culinary creations and fruits of the vine at the Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival, March 29-April 1. Events range from a celebration of “Latin Sizzles” flavors at the TDS Exotic Game Ranch to a family festival in the park at Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park. Tempt your palate with tastings of fine wine, food and even bourbons at www.texaswineandfood.org. Green thumbs head to Zilker Botanical Garden for the 49th annual Spring Garden Festival, March 31-April 1. More than 100 vendors sell plants and garden-themed crafts. Stop and smell the flowers at www.zilkergarden.org. Musician Jerry Jeff Walker celebrates his birthday with three shows over three days, March 30-April 1, at the Broken Spoke, the Paramount Theatre and Gruene Hall. A few tickets are still available at www.jerryjeff.com. Austin goes Cajun during the Louisiana Crawfish Festival, March 31. Guests gather among live music, vendor booths, children’s activities and more, all while enjoying all-you-can-eat crawfish. Take a break on the bayou at www.roadwayevents.com. The Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, one of the premiere track and field events in the country, brings together the best high school, college and professional athletes from Texas, the U.S. and the world, April 4-7. The relays draw some 40,000 participants and fans and pump the economy with an estimated $8 million impact. Get in the game at www.texassports.com. Multiple stages showcase national funk, R&B, soul, reggae and hip-hop acts at the 2007 Urban Music Festival, April 6-7 at Auditorium Shores. Featured acts include Angie Stone, the O’Jays, Mint Condition and more. Feel the beat at www.urbanmusicfest.com.