Longview is located in the East Texas region at the heart of Texas Lake Country and welcomes its visitors with access to dozens of lakes and thousands of acres of pine forests. In addition to the multitude of recreational opportunities, the town also boasts an inner-city sporting area called Lear Park. The park is comprised of outdoor multi-sport recreational areas, an elaborate children's playground, hiking trails and picnicking areas. The city is also the host of many cultural events, such as the Great Texas Balloon Race which occurs annually in mid-July and AlleyFest, an annual arts, music and food festival that takes place in early June. Austin also plays host to the Longview Jaycees Gregg County Fair and Expo in early September. Visitors to this long-running annual event can expect a wide range of live entertainment, a carnival and numerous agricultural exhibits.