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Word from the CVBs Holiday Lights in Fort Worth
The holiday lights in Fort Worth are special for both visitors and local residents alike. It seems as though the summer heat has barely left us, and we are now into November with the holidays just around the corner. Fort Worth is known for its year-round downtown lighting, from the tall buildings outlined in lights to many of the trees with twinkling lights as well. Since the 1960s, Fort Worth has been proud of its unique downtown lighting. A serious focus on downtown lighting comes with the Parade of Lights which involves a grand parade followed by the official lighting of the downtown Christmas tree. The Sundance Square Parade of Lights is one of the fun events that signals the beginning of the holidays. This year, the Parade of Lights will take place downtown on Friday, November 24th. AT&T and CHASE are the two presenting sponsors, along with many other business and community organizations. The night of the parade and tree lighting is one of my favorite times to be downtown because of the large number of wonderfully festive people throughout the area. The Historic Stockyards has its own unique way of lighting up for the holidays. Saturday, December 2nd is Christmas in the Stockyards, and every year, the Stockyards businesses put a special cowboy spin on the event. The Saturday in the Stockyards is filled with old fashioned games, pioneer demonstrations and many persons dressed in 1890s period clothing. The Parade of Lights and the Christmas in the Stockyards are only two of the many holiday events that make Fort Worth the place to experience the cheer of the season. November Showcases Events in FUN CENTRAL Spend some time in FUN CENTRAL this November and select from a cornucopia of events for your entire family. Start your holiday shopping at Holiday Magic at the Arlington Convention Center November 3rd-5th. The event, hosted by the Arlington Junior League, features crafts, gifts and other holiday items. You’ll find great treats for everyone on your list! The stars are big and bright at the Planetarium at the University of Texas at Arlington. Experience “Season of Light,” an elegant and sophisticated star show that reveals how we turn the coldest and darkest of seasons into the warmest and brightest times of the year! Explore possibilities for the “Star of Bethlehem.“ For show times or more information, call 817-272-1183 or visit www.uta.edu/planetarium. If you’re in the mood for a more artistic event, check out Theatre Arlington’s all-youth production JungalBook, an adaptation of the classic The Jungle Book. The show runs November 3rd-19th. Tickets are $10. For more information, call 817-275-7661 or visit www.theatrearlington.org. Feeling like a little magic as the holidays draw near? Visit the Wizard Convention at the Arlington Convention Center November 10th-12th. Exhibits, demonstrations and merchandise will be on display. For more information, call 817-459-5000. FUN CENTRAL vacation packages are still available. Our packages are a great value and have terrific add-on options. To purchase your FUNtastic Family Package, visit www.arlington.org and click on the green box in the upper right hand corner or call 1-866-656-FUNN (3866). Grapevine - The Christmas Capital of Texas
Grapevine is quickly becoming the “Christmas Capital of Texas” and as such, Historic Downtown Grapevine and surrounding areas will become a winter wonderland this holiday season. Festivities begin at 7 p.m. November 27 at Grapevine’s Main Street Gazebo, 325 S. Main St., with the Carol of Lights. The public is invited to this free event where guests sing along with local choirs as the switch is thrown, illuminating thousands of lights in historic downtown Grapevine. Thousands of merrymakers will witness an enchanting display of more than 100 lighted floats that will pass through historic downtown as numerous marching bands play holiday music during North Texas’ largest lighted Christmas parade, The Grapevine Parade of Lights. The parade begins at 7 p.m. November 30 at Main and Vine Sts. The parade is free. More lights will shine during the Twinkle Light Parade on Lake Grapevine at dusk December 2. This lighted boat parade starts at Twin Coves Marina and picks up entries at each marina as it circles the lake. Christmas on Main Street features carolers, holiday treats, Santa Claus,costumed characters, and decorations along the mile-long stretch of Grapevine’s Historic Main Street, December 1-3, 8-10, and 15-17 (Fridays, 2 to 5 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays 1 to 4 p.m.). Thousands of children will ride to see Santa Claus, as the Grapevine Vintage Railroad becomes the North Pole Express. The North Pole Express Experience runs are Fridays, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., on 1-3, 8-10, and 15-17. For more information visit www.gvrr.com or call 817-410-3123. Imagine a 14,000 square foot structure, filled with two million pounds of “ICE!” kept at 9 degrees. “ICE!” is part of the Gaylord Texan’s Lone Star Christmas. The attraction runs Nov. 16 - Jan 7, 2007. Visit www.gaylordhotels.com or call (817) 722-9423 for more information. For more information, please contact the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visit www.grapevinetexasusa.com. Getaway to Vibrant Granbury Looking for an alternative to Branson? Granbury is a vibrant destination with many new and exciting things happening. Warm Country Heart Theater performs the magical music of Chet Atkins, Boots Randolph, Floyd Cramer, Patsy Cline and other well-loved country and western legends of the 50s and 60s. Granbury Live continues to entertain audiences with its nostalgic rock ‘n roll music from the 50s and 60s,as well as recognizable Texas music and religious concerts. The 1886 Granbury Opera House set new attendance records with productions such as The Story of the Andrews Sisters, and Hello Dolly, starring Judy Norton, of The Waltons fame. Other shows included Just a Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, and The Night the Music Died, the final concert of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper. The Granbury Riverboat cruises beautiful Lake Granbury on a year-round basis providing murder mystery cruises, and dinner and scenic cruises. Hank’s on the Square opened October 17, with casual dining downstairs and a martini bar upstairs. Paul Vineyard, owner of Babe’s Restaurants, will open his newest restaurant in Granbury early next year. D’Vine Wine’s new owners, Tony and Diane Hedges, plan many new programs and events. Barking Rocks Winery holds a wine tasting and entertainment event the first Friday evening of each month. New hotels are coming to Granbury. In addition to our existing hotels and over 30 bed and breakfast inns, Granbury has a new upscale Best Western that opened in February of 2006. A 70+ room La Quinta Inn and a new Hilton Gardens Inn will be built in conjunction with Granbury’s new Conference Center, and a boutique hotel will be built just north of the Historic Square during 2007. For additional information, call the Granbury Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-950-2212. November Means Music In Glen Rose There will be music in the air throughout the month of November in Glen Rose. Oakdale Park will host a bluegrass jam session on November 10 and 11. The popular campground and RV park has hosted some of the top bluegrass concerts in north central Texas for more than four decades. Informal jams will take place throughout Oakdale Park and there will also be plenty of food, fellowship and fun. Bring your banjo or guitar and join in the picking or bring a lawn chair and sit back and enjoy the music. There are cabins available to rent or RV spaces. Make it a weekend of fun and music. The Dale McPherson Memorial Fiddle Contest will take place Saturday, November 11 at the Somervell County Expo Center. This is the eighth year for the competition that features top fiddle players from across the state who will compete. The event is in memory of Dale McPherson who was a noted fiddle player and county judge in Somervell County. Although Fossil Rim is not hosting musical shows in November, there are special events scheduled including the Cheetah Challenge on November 11, a 5K cross country run, and another Encounter Series event set for November 12. The Encounter event will focus on cheetahs. The Cheetah Challenge is unique in that it is a rugged off-trail run that meanders through Fossil Rim Wildlife Park. The run provides an up close glimpse into areas of the park not normally open to the public. Entry fee includes snacks, t-shirts and an animal tour. The Encounter Series is a monthly event that focuses on one animal species from Fossil Rim’s collection. This event is suitable for children ages five to nine and is held at the Eco Center. Reservations are required and the cost is $25 per adult with one small child. For more information on Glen Rose and the surrounding area, contact the Glen Rose Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-888-346-6282 or check out their web site at www.glenrosetexas.net. Come see why Glen Rose was named America’s Dream Town in 2004. Denton Lights Up the Season
Capture the true spirit of a Texas holiday celebration at the 18th annual Holiday Lighting Festival on Thursday, November 30, on Denton's Historic Courthouse Square, 110 W. Hickory, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Kick off the Christmas season in style and sing-along with the Denton Community Band. Take a trolley tour through the festive historic district. And "Wassail Fest" invites you to stop in the eclectic shops around the square to sample wassail and vote for your favorite recipe. Entertainment is in no short supply as local groups perform on two outdoor stages and inside the courthouse. Then Denton's own Grammy award-winners, Brave Combo, will add their "nuclear polka" blend to the season at 8:00 p.m. It isn't Christmas in Denton without a Chicken Dance on the lawn! Santa will be on hand for those last minute requests. Plus, a variety of free interactive crafts and art booths will be available for children. In case of inclement weather, some venues may change. Please call 940-349-8529 or 940-349-8385 for information on the day of the event. Holiday cheer will be the main attraction on the square in Denton throughout the holiday season. Unique gifts, hard-to-find treasures and antiques, books, and specialty wines, are just a sampling of what awaits you in Denton. Merry atmosphere amidst beautiful seasonal decor make shopping Denton fun! Come share in the happy holiday spirit in Denton! Visit the Denton Convention & Visitor Bureau website at www.discoverdenton.com for year-round festivals and fun family activities. Grand Prairie November Events November 1-2 - Native Lands, Grand Prairie. Lynn Creek Park is the setting for a cultural entertainment field trip for students of all ages. Native Americans, West Africans and animals from around the world are featured. Crafts, song and dance, tribal drumming, native housing are some of the learning experiences offered. Admission fee. Call 1.800.799.1166 November 1-30 - Simulcast Racing, Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie. Simulcast racing is available seven days a week in the Post Time Pavilion, the Las Vegas-style racebook and sportsbar. Smoke-free simulcast available on Saturdays and Sundays on the second level of the Grand Stand. (call for exact dates) Admission fee. Call 972.263.RACE. November 2-December 2 - Fall Meeting of Champions, Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie. Experience live Quarter Horse racing at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie. Wednesday through Saturday first race at 5 p.m. Simulcast racing continues year-round at the Post Time Pavilion. Post Time Pavilion Hours: 10:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. Post Time Pavilion Prices (non-live racing days): Admission - $2, General Parking - $1. Valet Parking - $9. Lone Star Park prices (live racing days): General Admission - $3, General Parking - $2. Valet Parking - $9. Call 972.263.7223. Fax 972.262.5622. November 10-December 3 - Radio City Christmas Spectacular, NOKIA Theatre at Grand Prairie. For tickets, call 214.373.8000 or 972.647.5700 or www.Ticketmaster.com. For information visit www.NOKIAtheatreDFW.com. November 11 - MBNA America Challenge Championships, Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie. A one night million-dollar extravaganza known as Quarter Horse racing's "Super Bowl." This is the fourth time Lone Star Park has hosted the Challenge Championships. Admission fee. Call 972.263.RACE. November 11-12 - 9th Annual Mountain Man Weekend, Traders Village, Grand Prairie. Open weekends 8 a.m. to dusk. Cost: $2 parking fee. Call 972.647.2331. Fax 972.647.8585. November 23 - January 1 - Prairie Lights, Lynn Creek Park at Joe Pool Lake, Grand Prairie. Prairie Lights features scores of HUGE lighted Holiday Displays including the World's Largest Tunnel of Lights! Brought to you by Wonderland and the City of Grand Prairie, the admission fees are: $10 Monday through Thursday, and $12 Friday through Sunday and Holidays. The Admission Cost includes FREE admission into Gemmy Airblown Holiday World, featuring 100 Airblowns inside a huge tent with a wonderful opportunity for pictures and family time. Concessions and Prairie Lakes Store will also be in the Gemmy Airblown Holiday World. For more information, call 972.237.8100 or visit www.gptx.org. Please note: All dates, times and events are subject to change. Current
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