Now, that cooler weather has returned to North Texas, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the fall season. Here are just a few of the fun, fall festivals in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
GrapeFest
Grapevine, TX
www.grapevinetexasusa.com/grapefest
Sept. 16 – 18, 2016
For the past 30 years, the Grapevine Wine Festival has been a fall festival of “grape” proportions. You can try your hand “actually feet” at the Grape Stomping event to see if you can stomp 18 pounds of grapes in two minutes. If you are a golf or tennis player, there are events like the GrapeFest Golf Classic and the GrapeFest Tennis Classic. Even if you are not athletically inclined, there are other fun events like the champagne cork shoot off where you can try pushing a cork out of a bottle to see how far it goes. There are wine tastings with over 100 different wines from over 40 Texas wineries, live music, a carnival with rides, a midway with games, plus food.
Plano Balloon Festival
Plano, TX
www.planoballoonfest.org
Sept. 23 – Sept. 25, 2016
The Plano Balloon Festival celebrates the sky with 45 hot air balloons taking to the sky. The Re/Max Skydiving team will perform late afternoon jumps to a specific landing spot. Saturday evening, a fireworks show is planned to light up the night sky. There is a kids’ fun zone with rides and a toddlers’ area with inflatables that are enjoyable for their size. With local bands, dance troupes and martial artists, there will be plenty to see and hear.
Texas State Fair
Dallas, TX
www.bigtex.com
Sept. 30 – Oct. 23, 2016
This traditional agriculture and livestock fair commemorates 130 years of celebrating all things Texan with crafts, food, games and carnival rides. This year in the Big Tex Choice Awards Fried Jell-O was recognized as being the best tasting and State Fair Cookie Fries received the most creative award. More than food, there are carnival rides, midway games, an extensive livestock show, music, creative arts competitions, and an auto show. A trip to the Texas State Fair would not be complete without a corn dog on a stick and a ride on the Texas Star.
Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival
Farmers Branch, TX
www.bloominbluegrass.com
October 14 –15, 2016
This bluegrass music festival and chili cook-off located at the Farmers Branch Historical Park is one of the best bluegrass events of the year. Musicians include The Del McCoury Band with David Grisman, The Earls of Leicester, Sister Sadie, The Gibson Brothers and many more. One can browse the handmade items from local vendors that include art, jewelry, crafts an other specialty one-of-a-kind items. Bounce houses, a petting zoo and other activities are provided in the free kidzone. One can kickback, relax on 27 acres of lush green grass at the park.
Old Town Mesquite Pumpkin Fest
Mesquite, TX
www.pumpkinfest.com
Sat., Oct. 15, 2016
The 16th Annual Pumpkin Fest features the fun of fall. Located at City Lake Park, this event is geared towards children with a pre-event decorated pumpkin contest, haunted house, carnival games, bounce houses, petting zoo, a children’s costume contest and a dog’s costume contest.
The Festival at the Switchyard
Carrollton, TX
www.carrolltonfestival.com
Sat., Nov. 5, 2016
This all day, rain or shine, free event in downtown Carrollton celebrates the important role the railroad played in putting the city on the map and developing the community. Last year’s event welcomed over 27,000 people. This year’s event includes family-friendly concerts, a beer garden, food and shopping. Barenaked Ladies will headline the entertainment along with plenty of local musicians. There are plenty of events for children of all ages.