Archive | April, 2012

Big Taste of Fort Worth 2012

22 Apr

The Barrett Havran Memorial Big Taste of Fort Worth benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters will take place Sunday, April 29th at The Omni Fort Worth. Big Taste of Forth Worth has been Tarrant County’s premiere food and wine tasting event featuring the finest gourmet cuisine of Tarrant County restaurants while benefiting the children of the community for the last 30 years. In addition to find food and wines, there is an auction and live entertainment. From 4:30pm – 8:30pm the Omni hotel will showcase food and drinks from popular participating eateries like Blue Mesa Grill, Reata, Café Brazil, Cantina Laredo, Fireside Pies, The Tavern, MICHAEL’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Simply Fondue and The Grille at the Harbor on Possom Kingdom Lake, just to name a few.

TICKETS
Tickets to BIG TASTE of Ft. Worth are $100 and $175 for VIP Wine Tasting/Main Tasting for each individual.

The 2012 Barrett Havran Memorial Big Taste of Fort Worth hosts an extensive silent auction with some amazing items. The featured auction items cover all categories from food & wine, sports memorabilia and art/photography to health & beauty and cool stuff for the home & garden. Get a preview of some of the exclusive items being auctioned off for the BIG TASTE.

If you have a restaurant or winery that would like to be a part of this awesome benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters contact taste@bbbstx.org. It is absolutely free for restaurants and wineries to participate!

The 2012 Barrett Havran Memorial Big Taste of Fort Worth also has celebrity judges: Jim Douglas (WFAA Senior Reporter), Gene & Julie Gates (103.7 KVIL’s The Gene & Julie Show), Mayor Betsy Price & Tom Price (Mayor of Ft. Worth), Jeff & Kim Halstead (Police Chief of Fort Worth), June Naylor (Food/travel journalist & culinary tour/event planner) and Kathryne Bosco & Minh Nguyen (Elite Yelpers).

Come hungry and with an empty belly to the Omni Sunday April 29th for a Texas Sized taste worthy to write home about! You’ll be supporting a great cause too! Click here to purchase tickets.

2012 BIG TASTE OF FORT WORTH SCHEDULE

VIP Wine Tasting presented by Englander
4:30PM – 6:00PM

Main Tasting
6:00PM – 8:30PM

The Omni Fort Worth
1300 Houston Street
Fort Worth, TX 76012

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6th Annual Real Texas Festival – Mesquite

16 Apr

When I think of something or someone that’s REAL, this lady and her popular 1978 tune come to mind..

As you let that tune play in the background…
Think of some of things that make one a “REAL Texan”. Is it a Cowboy in a 10 gallon hat and boots? Not always. There are some, but that doesn’t necessarily qualify you as a “real” Texan. Someone who knows the Stockyards like the back of their hands? Eh, not even. I’m a born and proud Texan and I’ve never even been. Shame. How about someone with southern hospitality? Nowww we’re getting somewhere. Someone who naturally says “ya’ll” even if it’s four times a year without realizing it? A die-hard sports fan, whether it’s Mavs, Cowboys, Rangers, Longhorns, FC Dallas, Horned Frogs, Spurs (yuck) or Rockets – just a lover of sports? Someone who finds the tornado siren familiar even if it’s in the middle of the night? (not that it’s anything to brag about) Someone that can sing the full version of “Deep In the Heart of Texas”? If you love your state that’s all that matters, because Texas is compiled of a diverse mix of tried and true citizens.

Since we’re keepin it REAL, April 27th and 28th mark the dates of the 6th Annual Real Texas Festival. It is held at Rodeo Center in Mesquite.

Main Stage performers include: Chaz Marie Band, Josh Abbott Band, Pat Green, The Bird Dogs Band, Jolie Holliday, Maren Morris & Shutdowntown. There will be a few other groups performing from the Hooters Stage in addition to the Battle of the Bands competition. Meanwhile the Celebration Station Community Stage will feature local talent from dancers, musical acts to beard growing contest and a jalapeno eating contest. If you haven’t experienced Texas at some of it’s finest and wildest, you will at this year’s Real. Texas. Festival.

Now let’s get even more real. You can’t have a Real Texas Festival without a real rodeo – the Mesquite Pro Rodeo Series to be exact. This summer the rodeo will enter its 55th season, but lucky for you (or RTF attendees) your ticket includes admission into the rodeo on both Friday and Saturday.

To enter the Battle of the Bands, BBQ Cook-off, be a vendor or a volunteer click HERE for additional information. Information on tickets can also be found HERE, or stay tuned to 99.5 The Wolf.

*Tickets are only $10/day and can be purchased at one of the following outlets:

    Hooters
    Resource one Credit Union
    McAlister’s Deli
    The City Administration Offices
    Mesquite Arena box office

A Car Show, BBQ Cook-Off and Food Drive will all be part of the two-day festival, but Check out some of the NEW ATTRACTIONS to this year’s Real. Texas. Festival.

Hours:
Friday, 4/27 – 5:00pm -11:00pm
Saturday, 4/28 – 10:00am – 11:00pm

Be a “real Texan” and saddle up for Mesquite’s upcoming 2012 Real Texas Festival! There’s so much excitement at this event and it’s only days away. You’ll have the ride of your life without even getting on one of the bulls.

“Got’s to be real…got’s to be REEEALL!”

Texas Real Festival Location
Rodeo Center
1818 Rodeo Drive
Mesquite, TX

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2012 Main Street Arts Festival – April 19-22

15 Apr

The Main Street Arts Festival is back with street performances, a variety of art and music! Every Spring downtown Fort Worth fills up with North Texans looking for outdoor free fun. Browse the many pieces of Main Street and enjoy some food and beverage vendors with the Main Street coupons which can be purchased at booths throughout the area. Admission to the 2012 Main Street Arts Festival is Free!

Start your weekend on Thursday and head to Sundance Square for great artistic energy that Fort Worth has to offer. The dates for Main Street Art Festival are April 19-22. When considering available Parking for the festival check HERE for street closures before you leave the house. Other transportation options include riding your bike (free parking for cyclists at Biek Corral at 4th and Houston St), Park and Ride Bus service from Billy Bobs, or the TRE. Again, be sure to plan ahead because there will be streets closed off downtown.

Explore a wide variety of diverse art in all just about all forms (i.e. ceramics, graphics, print, paint, photography, metalwork.). Artists close down at 8:00pm every night Thursday through Saturday, and at 6:00pm on Sunday. There will be two whole blocks of kids creative and interactive artistic activities for all ages.

Take a look at the Food selection offered at Main St Art Festival : http://www.mainstreetartsfest.org/experience-main-st./culinary-arts/


MUSIC SCHEDULE

There will be three stages along downtown Fort Worth streets featuring some of the best entertainment from the local community and around the country as well.

Get out of the house this Spring and head to lively downtown Fort Worth for one of the city’s largest music festivals held April 19 – 22. You have four days to choose form and it’s FREE to attend. Experience the vibrancy of Funk Town at the largest festival in the Southwest.

MAIN STREET DOWNTOWN FORT WORTH MAP

Thursday – Saturday………….10am – 11pm

Sunday………………………..………10am – 8pm

*Coupons at the Festival are $10 for a book of 10 and $1.00 per coupon.

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Earth Day Dallas 2012 – April 21-22

15 Apr

North Texas has a full weekend ahead celebrating the planet and raising eco-friendly awareness at a 2-day Fair Park festival. Earth Day Dallas 2012 is April 21-22. The purpose of this outdoor festival is to increase environmental awareness in all aspects of North Texas daily life. Admission is FREE for EDD 2012, as advocates and environmentally friendly citizes strive to unite and promote the ideas of how green lifestyle choices can not only, lower costs of living but also improve our health and help to save lives. The very first large scale Earth Day Dallas was actually held just last Aapril, and EDD was founded the year prior in 2010.

Anyone else noticing this Fair Park trend? It seems to be becoming a more popular venue for our large North Texas events, or at least a few more than the typical ones. With 600,000 square feet of both indoor and outdoor space, Fair Park is a great location for Earth Day 2012, the same way it was for events like: Reggae Festival, Taste of Dallas, Fair Park Holiday, NTIF, KwanzaaFest and of course the world renowned State Fair of Texas.

Earth Day 2012 Features:

    -Eco Expo
    -Green Talk Speaker Series
    -Picnic for the planet
    -Live Musical performances
    -Earth Yoga
    -Artfully Green Film series
    -Family Zone featuring Radio Disney
    -University Row
    -Live BMX shows
    -Dance performances
    -DFW Truck Farm 5K Fun Run
    -Dallas Urban Debate Alliance environmental, student debates


~WEEKEND SCHEDULE~

A full weekend schedule of all these special activities can be found HERE!! So you can be sure to plan ahead.



Food
Concessions at EDD will include organic food, vegan food and some of your favorite festival treats.

Parking
Attendees can park in the general Fair Park lots which are typically about $10. There is also bike parking provided inside the park or you could “Go Green” by using DART’s Green line right up to the front steps of Fair Park, right between Gates 3 and 4.

Pets Allowed
Earth Day 2012 is a pet-friendly event, but be sure to keep your pal on a leash and bring the necessary pet-waste disposal bags. Remember, it’s still “Earth Day” so let’s keep it clean.

Volunteer Opportunities
-Must be at least 18 years old
-Register on Signupgenius and include a valid e-mail and phone number
-Positions available for Pre-Event Setup on Thursday, Friday Saturday
-Positions available for Volunteer Assignments Saturday and Sunday

To select your volunteer assignment click here.

Click here to see a Full list of all the
2012 Earth Day Dallas Exhibitors.
(It’s a LONG one!)

Donations accepted for Earth Day Dallas, Inc, sponsor of this
Free annual festival.


EARTH DAY DALLAS 2012
APRIL 21 & 22
10-6pm

Fair Park
1121 First Avenue
Dallas, TX 75210

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