Before we return to our regularly scheduled program, folks, I wanted to point out that May is chockfull of exciting events to attend — so many, in fact, that I expect to be writing about them well into June (which is also an eventful month). While the various Cinco de Mayo celebrations and Richardson’s Cottonwood Arts Festival are over, there’s still lots to do.
On May 9-11, you should venture over to Addison (one of the “mid-cities” between Dallas and Fort Worth) to attend the Taste of Addison in Addison Circle Park, where you can enjoy music, fun, and food samples from many of the local restaurants. That same weekend, on May 10, is Grand Prairie’s Mayfest in Kirby Creek Park. You can enjoy more fun, more food, and educational activities there from 9 AM – 3 PM. And over at the famous Fort Worth Stockyards, also on May 10, they’re celebrating the Texas Frontier Forts Muster — a gathering of re-enactors from all over the USA, to demonstrate what life was like in early Texas.
The weekend of May 16-18 is also a busy one. In Grapevine, they’re having Main Street Days that weekend; when you attend, expect food, fun, music, adventure, and lots and lots of vendors selling everything from Whopper Choppers to pop-art. And later, don’t forget to head over to Richardson’s Wildflower Arts and Music Festival, over at U.S. Highway 75 and Galatyn Parkway. They’ll be shutting down a whole section of the city for the event. It’s a music-oriented festival, but you can expect to see a little bit of everything. I saw the Budweiser Clydesdales there one year, along with Huey Louis and the News. I believe Pat Benetar is playing this year, among other notables. And if that isn’t enough, they’re hosting the 11th Annual Cajun Festival at Trader’s Village in Grand Prairie. Not only will there be great Louisiana music, but you can also enjoy exotic Cajun cuisine.
The whole week from May 19-25 will be taken up with the enormous 62nd Annual Crown Plaza Invitational at Colonial Golf Tournament at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, which offers a substantial purse of $6.1 million (!). Defending champion Rory Sabatini will be joined by many of the other stars of the golf world in this struggle for the championship.
If extreme golf doesn’t float your boat, there’s always the much-awaited ArtFest at Fair Park in Dallas, on May 23-25. It kicks off on Friday evening with the Wine Stroll Preview Party (a nice, civilized wine-tasting experience), and really gets into gear on Saturday. You’ll find a wide variety of artists from all over the country, along with food, entertainment, and a kid’s interactive area. If a different kind of art is more to your taste, then consider attending the 42nd National Polka Festival in Ennis on that same weekend. This huge dance and music festival celebrates both Czech and Slovak heritage, largely because that’s where many of the early settlers of this area of Texas came from. Last but hardly least, there’s the Founder’s Day Festival in the little city of Rockwall on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard. Musical guests this year include the Marshall Tucker Band.
So as you can see, there’s no reason to stay home on the weekends this month and watch videos. There’s lots to do, and plenty of time to rest in between!