The DFW weather begins to cool down and Texas is once again tolerable. After the summer of 2011, you'll want to spend as much time as you can enjoying the outdoors.
1. Autumn at the Arboretum
©Angela Patterson
What: Autumn at the Arboretum is a beautiful transition of the gardens from bright summer colors to radiant fall hues. The fall festival will feature Cinderella's Pumpkin Village -- the home to more than 40,000 decorative pumpkins, gourds and squash and 150,000 fall plants like chrysanthemums and pansies. *ack a picnic lunch or bring a bottle of wine.
When: September 17 through November 23, 2011
Where: Dallas Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218.
Hours: Open 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily
General Admission: $10/adults, $9/seniors 65 and older, $7/children (3-12) and free for Arboretum members and children two and under. Parking is $7.
Photo Gallery: 2010 Autumn at the Arboretum
2. Oct 9: Fiesta Latinoamericana! 2011
What: Fiesta Latinoamericana! 2011 is a festival of food, music, dance and culture with vendors, raffle, games and more. Parade of nations, dance workshops, strolling mariachis, clowns, Aztec dancers, magicians, sidewalk artists, childrens arts and crafts. Three stages with performances of music and dance from 17 nations.
When: Sunday, October 9, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Along Flora Street from the Cathedral Guadalupe to the AT&T Center, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX.
3. Oct 15: Butterfly Flutterby
What: Celebrate the winging of the monarchs at Grapevine's Butterfly Flutterby. Parade, arts and crafts, butterfly exhibits and entertainment. Children and pets are encouraged to dress in costumes and participate in the parade.
When: October 15, 2011. Parade starts at 10 a.m. Lineup at 9:30 a.m.
Where: The Butterfly Flutterby is held in the historic Cotton Belt Depot, 701 Main Street, Grapevine, Texas.
4. Oct 21-23 & 28-30: Boo at the Zoo
What: The 20th annual Boo at the Zoo will take place over two weekends in October. Games, stories, pumpking carving and more will keep the kids entertained but not spook them too much.
When: October 21-23 & 28-30, 2011
Where: Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, TX. 817-759-7555. Exit University Drive off I-30. Go south for approximately one mile. Turn left on Colonial Parkway and follow the signs to the Zoo.
Admission: Adults $12, Children $9 (ages 3-12),parking $5.
5. Oct 22-23: Addison's Worldfest
Travel the world in just two days! Yes, it's possible at Addison's Worldfest. Best of all, you will receive free admission. Sample food from all over the world like Turkey, Latin America, Romania, Poland, Germany, Italy, Japan, and of course you can get a corn dog from the USA.
When: October 22-23, 2011 from noon to 6 p.m. both days
Where: Addision Circle Park, 4970 Addison Circle Drive, Addison, TX.
Admission: Free.
Parking: Free parking at the NW corner of the Dallas Parkway and Arapaho.
Fine Print: No pets, no coolers.
6. Oct 22-23: The 2011 Fort Worth Alliance Air Show
What: The 2011 Fort Worth Alliance Air Show featuring the US Air Force Thunderbirds. Experience a full day of dynamic aviation performances, static display, interactive booths, Kid Zone and more.
When: October 22 and 23, 2011. Gates are open from 9 am to 5 pm. The same show is held from approximately 10 am to 4 pm both days.
Where: Fort Worth Alliance Airport, 2221 Alliance Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76177. To get there, go north from Fort Worth on I-35W and exit Alliance Boulevard.
Admission: Free. General Parking is $20 per vehicle.
7. Oct 22: Blues, Bandits and BBQ
What: It's the second annual Blues, Bandits and BBQ celebration -- and it has a new location this year. The highlight of the event is the BBQ competition. Teams start cooking on Friday night. The People's Choice tasting takes place Saturday between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. You must arrive before 3 p.m. to sample the delights from the competition. Categories include beef brisket, pulled pork, pork ribs, whole chicken and sausage.
When: Saturday, October 22, 2011
Where: Lake Cliff Park, 1200 N. Zang, Dallas, TX 75203
Registration is currently open. Entry details here.
8. Through Oct 23: State Fair of Texas
Photo courtesy of Kevin Brown / State Fair of Texas
Follow the link to find out everything you need to know about the State Fair of Texas. It offers something for everyone with activites like a parade, football and free concerts to farm animals, shopping, midway rides and games, a musical at the Music Hall at Fair Park and more. West Side Story runs October 4-23, 2011 at the Music Hall.
As far as food goes, if it can be fried, you'll find it at the State Fair of Texas. Corny Dogs, fried frito pie, fried lemonade, fried latte, fried tamales, fried chocolate, fried bubblegum (well, bubblegum flavored marshmallows), it's all here and probably next to the gigantic turkey legs.
Photo gallery of State Fair Foods
Photo gallery State Fair of Texas
9. Oct 25: Taste of Arlington TX 2011 / Trick or Taste: Part Boo
What: The Taste of Arlington celebrates its 29th year of being the biggest all-you-can-eat sampling of the best restaurants and beverages in town.
When: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way, Arlington, TX 76011.
Parking: It's free. From the East you can enter off of Ballpark Way and from the West take Copeland to Legends Way and follow signs posted for parking.
