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Word from the CVBs Learning From Travel Education is one of the most important aspects of travel and tourism. The ancient Greeks were one of the first cultures to recognize the importance of travel with family and its educational benefits. In the United States, there have long been educational aspects of travel, especially as affordable travel by train to the West opened vast new lands for people to see. Unfortunately, the educational attributes of travel and tourism have not always been fully recognized. But today, there is a renewed focus on travel and tourism as it relates to education. The Texas Travel Industry Association, which is based in Austin, is developing a new Education Vacation Program in cooperation with the Texas Governor and the Texas Education Agency. A key element is to have tourism attractions, sites, and programs become sensitive and responsive to the educational and learning areas of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Test. Fort Worth's tourism attractions are especially well-organized to make visits to Cowtown a great educational experience. The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is one of Texas' most remarkable educational resources. Each year the Museum prepares an extensive School Program Planner which outlines in great detail how its many exhibits, discovery labs, Omni Theater and Planetarium relate directly to the educational needs of children. The Fort Worth Zoo also offers an extensive educational program directly related to school-age children. In the Stockyards, tours by Stockyards Station and special programs given by the Herd provide great learning opportunities. Also, the CVB actively markets these great Fort Worth attractions to student and youth travel groups. When it comes to making travel and tourism relevant to education, Fort Worth is the place to visit. October in Fun Central October in FUN CENTRAL™ Arlington, Texas wouldn't be October without the largest Halloween event in the state of Texas: Fright Fest at Six Flags Over Texas. Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October, Fright Fest promises to scare the boo out of you. See the web site for more information at www.sixflags.com or call 817-530-6000 for tickets. Breeders' Cup–the Super Bowl of thoroughbred horse racing–comes to Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie October 30, and it's the biggest event of its kind. For the first time, the Breeders' Cup makes it way to Texas, and Lone Star Park is the “youngest” facility to ever host the event. Tickets are long gone, but the park will host a variety of fan events leading up to the big race. Go to www.lonestarpark.com for details. Run out of race horse activities? Come down the road to Arlington for even more FUN stuff to do. Celebrating 30 years in the music business, Johnnie High's Country Music Revue will feature a gospel show on October 1. Located in downtown Arlington, Johnnie High's has plenty of room for tour buses, and features a full-service snack bar in the memorabilia room. See the first outfit LeAnn Rimes performed in while learning her craft from Mr. Johnnie. Call 817-226-4400 for tickets. If you'd like to be a music star yourself, the Texas Guitar Show will take place at the Arlington Convention Center October 15-17. See a fabulous collection of guitars, both vintage and brand-new. Trade yours for a newer model. Take part in the jam sessions. Celebrate all kinds of music from hard-driving rock to soulful blues to a little country pickin'. For those who like their music a little more mellow, attend the Symphony Arlington Pops Concert at UTA's Rosebud Theatre on October 21. For reservations, call 817-385-0484 or go to www.symphonyarlington.org. Grapevine's Eclectic
Blend of Fun for Fall Fall is in the air, and seasonal activities are lined up offering great fun for everyone. Want to learn a new skill that's an “old” one? James Ryan is offering his Basic Blacksmithing classes at the Grapevine Blacksmith Shop, 701 S. Main, throughout the fall. The first class is Oct. 2, with more following in November and December. Call the number below for contact information. The Grapevine Opry will be presenting its “2004 Entertainer Award Winners” show Oct. 9. Come see the stars who have forged a dynamic impression on audiences this year! If you experience the Grapevine Opry just once you'll be back for more foot stomping, family entertainment again. Grapevine's 7th Annual “Butterfly Flutterby” is a FREE event on Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Bring the kids and pets (dress them like butterflies) and join the Gossamer Parade at 10 a.m., led by Jessie from Toy Story. The Gossamer Parade begins at the Depot (705 S. Main) and ends in Liberty Park (201 S. Main) where arts and crafts, entertainment, prizes and butterfly releases will take place. The following weekend, don't miss the Nash Farm Fall Round-up at Ball and College Streets. The Round-up takes place on Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and is FREE. It offers great fall farm fun, including hay rides, pumpkin and scarecrow contests, blacksmiths, bluegrass and more. October 30 and 31, the Artrain USA will be in Grapevine offering FREE tours on board. Artrain USA features American Indian art and artists. Come to the Grapevine Depot, 705 S. Main, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day and get a new perspective on American Indian art and artists. Holiday shopping is about to begin, and the Grapevine Convention Center will be the site for the second annual Canton in The City arts and crafts show on Oct. 16 and 17. Show promoters will make a $1 donation to the charity of your choice. Call the number below about this unique opportunity. Grapevine's historic district merchants are ready for the holidays, too. Experience Gallery Night on Oct. 22 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Enjoy the cool evening air and stroll with your shopping list. Unique gifts are waiting in the galleries! Bring the month to a close with a SCARY tale! The Tarrant Area Guild of Storytellers will present their annual “Tales By The Rails-Ghost Stories Around the Campfire” on Saturday, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m., at the Depot. This FREE event is a hit with free popcorn and hot cider, too! Bring your blanket, a lawn chair and your nerves! See you there! For more information about all the activities, attractions and accommodations in Grapevine, please call 817-410-3185 or visit www.grapevinetexasusa.com. Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie Hosts 21st Breeders'
Cup Championships Saturday, October 30, Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie hosts horse racing's foremost international event, the 21st Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. Eight championship races, with a total of $14 million in prize money, features horses from the United States and around the world. The event marks the first time that horse racing's leading international event will be held in the Southwest. Lone Star Park is the youngest race track to host the prestigious year-end championships of the horse racing season. Throughout the month of October, fans can experience a variety of entertainment. October 21-29, fans can watch morning workouts; October 22-24 enjoy FanFest: Texas…The Experience includes Texas music, cook-offs, beer and wine tasting, and a hot air balloon glow; and on October 28 learn to handicap with the best at the Joe Fan Party also featuring appearances by Breeders' Cup jockeys and concerts. Visit www.gptexas.com for a listing of all events. Also in October, NOKIA Theatre features Angie Stone with Anthony Hamilton, October 9; Queensryche, October 15; Keith Urban with Katrina Elam, October 16; Pixies with The Thrills, October 19; Barney, October 22-24; and Brian Wilson, October 25. The East Texas Tourism Association sponsors its 3rd Historic Highway 80 Garage Sale October 8-10 and 15-17, stretching more than 200 miles from Bossier City, Louisiana to Grand Prairie. Traders Village hosts the 21st Annual BBQ Championship Cook-Off, October 9-10; Boy Scout Sale; October 16-17; and Haunted Hallway, October 23. Halloween wouldn't be complete without a visit to the 13th Annual “Forest of Fear” and Camp decorating contest at Loyd Park on Joe Pool Lake on October 22-23. Log on to www.gptexas.com or call 972-263-9588 for more information. Barking
Rocks Winery Granbury will be able to celebrate Texas Wine Month with the opening of Barking Rocks Winery. Small batches of premium wines are being handcrafted in an old rock barn between historic Granbury and Thorp Springs. A son of Italian immigrants and a native Texan are combining “genes” and “jeans” to provide Lone Star grapes a path to achieve their highest calling. Owner and wine maker Larry Tiberia and co-proprietor Sissy Andrews, are committed to their mission of “making wine, friends and events happen.” The 2002 vintage is their first release. In February of this year, a reserve wine was entered in the Texas Wine Society's commercial competition at Houston. It took the only gold medal in its class and was one of the ten highest scoring wines overall. The wines currently available include Fume blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. Stories about the journey can be heard at Barking Rocks. Information on events, the wines and open hours through the end of the year can be found on their website at www.barkingrockswine.com. You can also reach the winery at 817-579-0007. Information about Barking Rocks Winery, Granbury accommodations, attractions, shopping and special events can also be obtained at the Granbury Visitors Center, 800-950-2212 or at www.granburytx.com. Fossilmania Comes to Glen
Rose Fossil collectors will descend on Glen Rose for the 22nd annual Fossilmania, to be held at the Somervell County Expo Center, October 29 thru 31. Known as the “Dinosaur Capital of Texas,” Glen Rose offers the perfect setting for this gathering of collectors and dealers. Dealers from all over the country will be on-hand, and free fossils will be available for the children. There will also be free educational programs on Friday and Saturday, plus everyone is encouraged to bring their fossils for free identification. Hourly drawings will be held for door prizes on Saturday and a fossil auction will be held Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the raffle will be on sale at the show and winners need not be present to win. Also on Friday evening, Charles Finsley, author of A Field Guide to Fossils of Texas, will present a program that is open to the public. Show hours will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, October 29, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 30 and 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, October 31. The show is a joint project of the Dallas and Austin Paleontological Societies. For more information call 1-888-346-6282 or go to www.dallaspaleo.org. Denton to Host
Presidential Election Exhibit “Winner and Wannabes” is the catchy name ascribed to an entertaining and historical exhibition of memorabilia used in American Presidential elections from 1852 through 2000. Denton is honored to be the only city in the state of Texas to play host to this unique exhibit. The exhibit will be at Denton's Center for Visual Arts from September 10 through October 24, open daily from 1 p.m.-5: p.m. Admission is free. Herbert Holl, Executive Director of the Greater Denton Arts Council, says the exhibit is special in more ways than one. “There are many names you will recognize from your study of American history, but you will also encounter some of the more obscure players from America's political past. The whole exhibit is fun because it includes everything from buttons, posters and sheet music to political cartoons and so much more on the winners and the losers.” Friday night, October 1, the “Winners and Wannabes” exhibit will provide the setting for a night of fun as the Greater Denton Arts Council and the Denton CVB present “Last Ham Standing.” The show promises to be a winner in the laughter poll as professional comedians poke good-humored fun at politicians and the political process in general. Guaranteed to bring a lot of laughs, doors open at the Center for Visual Arts at 8 p.m. The show starts at 8:30 p.m.. Tickets and directions are available at the Denton Chamber of Commerce at 940-382-7895, the Greater Denton Arts Council 940-382-2787, or purchase online at www.discoverdenton.com. Cotton Pickin' Good Time in Waxahachie The 2nd Annual Cotton Fest is set for Saturday, October 16 around the Ellis County Courthouse Square in historic downtown Waxahachie from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The festival, hosted by the Waxahachie Downtown Merchants Association, is a celebration of history and heritage in Ellis County and the Queen City of Cotton, Waxahachie. “The festival will be a day of fall family fun,” said Judy Cross, event co-chair. Activities for the day include: “Lil' Mr. Cotton King” and “Lil' Miss Cotton Queen” pageant; First Bale of Cotton contest; Home Grown Talent and Battle of the Bands contest; fall fashion show; tethered balloon rides, farmers market, children's rides, entertainment including Cotton the Clown, and craft activities. Youngsters will also be able to pick cotton from a “cotton patch” downtown, then take their cotton to the miniature cotton gin and gin their own cotton to take home with them for a “hands-on agriculture” activity. Other demonstrations for the day include: spinning and weaving, quilting and cooking with cotton seed oil. Many exhibits will also be on display to educate visitors in the history and importance of cotton in Ellis County and the many ways cotton has an affect on our lives. There will also be an exhibit on recycling jeans with examples of embellished items displayed at the Ellis County Museum, along with a “Textile Toy” exhibit at the Waxahachie Children's Museum. The Farm Bureau will host an exhibit educating visitors about the many byproducts of cotton. Admission to the festival is FREE. For more information, call 972-937-2390 or visit www.waxahachiechamber.com. Current
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