by Candace Brock & Melanie Hess
Crisp fall weather is here, and it’s time to throw on that cozy sweater to embark on some outdoor adventures with the whole family! DFW is full of amazing events, festivals, and outdoor shows this fall season!
To get you on your way, Good Family Life has compiled a list of our favorite outdoor events and activities for the season. Enjoy!
Tour de Arboretum
The 11th Annual Tour des Fleurs, presented by W.B Carrell Memorial Clinic benefits the Dallas Arboretum. The event is hosted by the Dallas Arboretum with the start and finish line located on the lakeside trail of White Rock Lake. Tour des Fleurs 10k/20k is a nonprofit race that fully supports the Dallas Arboretum. The mission of the Dallas Arboretum is to promote art, as well as both the enjoyment and knowledge of horticulture, while also providing opportunities for education and research. Parking for the race is free, and parents are encouraged to bring their children for a family event! Tours des Fleurs offers cash prizes for overall winners in both the 10k and the 20k, and there will also be awards by age group, given to the top three finishers in each category. There’s even a 14 and under category, so bring those young athletes! Celebrate after the race at the Post-Race Lake Side party, enjoying live music, drinks, and lots of food. The race is scheduled for Saturday, September 17th.
http://www.tourdesfleurs.com/race
Autumn at the Arboretum
Sept. 19 – Nov. 2
Take in the beauty of 75,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squashes all perfectly placed on a gorgeous, floral backdrop of 150,000 blooms to create an autumn-themed masterpiece. Events for all ages occur throughout the exhibit’s duration.
Plano Balloon Festival
Sept. 23 – 25
Watch colors fill the sky at this four-decade-old tradition, complete with hot air balloon launches, local bands, games, fireworks, a kid’s fun zone, and more.
Flights of Our Fathers Air Show & Fly-In
The ninth annual Flights of Our Fathers Air Show & Fly-In, benefiting the No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum, will be held Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the Terrell Municipal Airport (KTRL), just north of IH 20 on SH 34. This annual event draws thousands of local and regional aviation enthusiasts to enjoy a full day of events and attractions: Aerobatic performances by Randy Ball, Trojan Phlyers, and more; Static and dynamic displays of military, vintage, and new aircraft; a kids’ zone; car and motorcycle show; museum tours; guest speakers; food & drink vendors; and a pancake breakfast. Gates open at 8:15 am with the posting of American, British, and Canadian flags and close at 5:00 pm. Tickets are sold at the gate: $10 per person or $20 per carload. CASH ONLY. For more information, call 972-551-1122.
SPARK Saturdays!
Ignite the spark of creativity in your child! If you’re looking for things to do in Dallas this weekend, be sure to check out SPARK! Saturdays. SPARK! Saturdays is a unique learning playground that inspires and teaches children, all in the name of having fun! On SPARK! Saturdays, not only can you and your family explore the 6,000-ft. Climb, Crawl, and Slide Sculpture, but you can also enjoy many special pop-up activities. Creative fun for children (2nd grade and up ) includes activities such as a Giant Light Bright, Recycled Art, Musical Dance Floor, Chalk Art, and Percussion practice. All children must be accompanied by an adult, and tickets are $8 per person in advance or $10 at the door. This event takes place every Saturday until December 17th.
Prost!
Wash down sausage, sauerkraut, and strudel with some Paulaner Bier in this German-style fest’s 30,000-square-foot, air-conditioned Schloss Addison tent. You can also check out polka music, dancing, a dachshund parade and races, and children’s entertainment. Addison Oktoberfest features outdoor fun for the entire family! This four-day German festival is one of the most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations outside of Munich! It runs Sept. 15-18th; admission is FREE for all ages on Thursday, but tickets are required for the weekend. Visit their website for more details!
https://www.showclix.com/event/AddisonOktoberfest
State Fair of Texas
Fair Park, Sept. 30 – Oct. 23
Celebrating Texas and all its unique qualities, the fair draws in millions of visitors each year. Patrons enjoy the iconic Big Tex, car shows, big-name performers, art, culinary sensations, a dynamic midway, and interactive agriculture and livestock exhibits.
City of Lights
For one night, every two years, downtown Dallas is transformed into an open air, urban playground of new media art: light, video, sound performance, and projection on an unprecedented scale. The immersive exhibition showcases work by a confluence of local and international artists selected by a team of established curators. AT&T Performing Arts Center presents…Prelude. A Preview to Aurora. The exhibit is scheduled for October 21-22nd and is located within the Dallas Arts District. Bring the family out to explore the staggering variety of light-based art spread across 68 acres during this FREE event that provides a spectacle unlike any other you’ll see in Dallas. This year, there’ll be six curated sections throughout the Dallas Arts District and Klyde Warren Park.
https://www.dallasaurora.com/prelude-2016/attend/#locationanchor
The Original Mud Run Dallas-Fort Worth
Oct. 22
Get down and dirty while overcoming obstacles at The Original Mud Run.
Coyote Drive-in Movie
Ft. Worth (Coming to Lewisville in October)
Go back in time and experience the classic drive-in movie at Lewisville’s Coyote Drive-In, scheduled to open in October.
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Plano
Go for a hike or mountain bike ride at Plano’s favorite nature preserve. The preserve features both paved and unpaved trails, designated off-road cycling trails, a pavilion, observation tower, and children’s play area.
Klyde Warren Park
Enjoy the outdoors in the heart of the Dallas Arts District. Rent board games, let your favorite canine bask in the sun at the dog park, use the open Wi-Fi, or grab a snack at the food trucks.
Skyline Trapeze
Take an aerial trapeze class at Addison’s Skyline Trapeze. Whether you’re 3 or 91, you can “unleash your inner circus.”
Lake Ray Hubbard
Fly a kite, navigate a kayak, paddleboard, or fish at Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall. If you prefer to stay off the water, Rockwall Harbor also offers great shopping, dining, entertainment, and scenic views.
