Burleson
July 4 – Independence Day! The city of Burleson hosts a beautiful fireworks extravaganza to celebrate the July Fourth holiday. Eleven Hundred Springs — a country band that plays honky tonk and rockabilly — headlines the 7:30 p.m. concert on Sunday. Start setting up your chairs and blankets at the sports complex at 6:00 p.m. The concession stand will be open but you can bring your own picnic. No alcohol is allowed inside Hidden Creek Sports Complex. The 90-minute concert wraps up just as the city’s fireworks show, choreographed to patriotic music, lights up the skies. For more information, call the city of Burleson, (817) 426-9622 or visit www.burlesontx.com.

Corsicana
July 4 – Come to the IOOF Park. Bring your picnic and watch the Annual Freedom Festival Fireworks display at dark.

July 3 and 17 – Pickett Riding Club play day series: 6:00 p.m., 0049 County Line Road, Streetman. Cost will be $4 for events, $2 for exhibitions and $20 for membership. Divisions will be 6 and under, 7 to 9, 10 to 12 and 18 and over. There will be cloverleaf and straightaway barrels, flag and speed race, potato race, poles, keyhole and free 6 and under flag race. Call before you haul. For information, call Tona after 5:00 p.m. at (903) 388-4846.

Ennis
July 5-17 – Ellis County Children’s Theater will present the full length original musical production created for children ages 5-14, Boudreaux, the Lake Dog, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Final production, Saturday, July 17, at 7:00 p.m. Participation fee, $60, includes ECCT T-shirt. For more information, visit www.ecctheater.org.

Mansfield
July 4 – Mansfield’s Rockin’ 4th of July: 7:00-11:00 p.m., Big League Dreams Mansfield, 500 Heritage Parkway South. No parking at location, but free parking and shuttle service from Newsom Stadium (Hwy. 360 at E. Broad St.) from 6:00-11:00 p.m. Bounce houses, carnival games, military appreciation, music and fireworks. No outside food, drinks or coolers in the park. For more information, visit www.mansfield-tx.gov.

Midlothian
July 3 – Senior Citizens Pantry Fourth of July celebration/fundraiser: 5:00-10:00 p.m., Midlothian Multi-Purpose Building. Entertainment and food; fireworks promptly at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free but donations accepted. Fun for entire family! Independence Day Fireworks Display by Citizens National Bank. Contact Vicki Massey (972) 723-6177 for donations and more information.

Red Oak
July 3 – 4th Annual Red Oak White & Blue: 6:00-10:00 p.m., Red Oak City Park. Food, fun and fireworks.
First United Methodist Church and the city of Red Oak are sponsoring a Blood Drive in conjunction with the Red Oak, White & Blue Celebration. The Carter Blood Mobile will be parked at Red Oak City Park: 2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Please come by and donate. Call the church office at (972) 617-9100.

Waxahachie
July 9 – After Hours Improv Theater presents Dance Hall Night: 7:30-10:30 p.m., 100 N. College St, Waxahachie. All types of dance music will be featured. $10 cover charge. B.Y.O.B. For more information, call (972) 937-9839 or visit www.afterhoursimprov.com.

Southwest Area
July 10 – Lancaster Chamber of Commerce presents 2nd Saturday on the Square: Best Southwest 1st Annual Kid’s Got Talent: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. for kids ages 3-12. Looking for mimes, singers, dancers, actors, arts and crafts. Call (214) 912-6573 or (214) 774-7503. www.2ndsaturday.yolasite.com

Cedar Hill library’s Story Time Theater presents The Little Engine that Could, an interactive play for children: 2:00 p.m.

Find out what’s happening in and around the community.

Visit our online calendar for more information.

Munster Mansion Charity Event

October 30 and 31 from 7 pm to midnight.

The yearly open house of the home of Chuck and Sandra McKee has become a DFW tradition, and the couple holds little back in making sure that families have plenty to do.

Joining the vent again this year is actress Pat Priest who played Marilyn Munster on the show, The Munsters. Priest will be signing autographs and posing for photos

This year’s event features:
- Rucker Posey’s recreation of the Dragula
- George Kelly as Grandpa Munster
- DJ by BeDazzled Entertainment
- Juggler by B3 Entertainment Productions
- Fortune Teller
- Face Painting
- Midway Games
- Bounce Houses
- Costume contest with prizes for kids
- Food Court

Benefitting Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties
Admission: Adults: $20, Children: $12 (age 12 and under)

Free Parking at Waxahachie Seventh Grade School (2401 Brown St.)
with Shuttle Bus to and from the Munster Mansion

For more information, visit: The Munster Mansion Website.

Bob Phillips Texas Country Reporter Festival

October 24th

Don’t miss the Bob Phillips Texas Country Reporter Festival on the Square in Downtown Waxahachie. It lasts from morning to afternoon and offers live music, craft booths, food and more.

The 7th Annual Bow Wow Howl-O-Ween Hustle

Saturday, October 31, 2009
9am – noon

Dress up your dog pals and yourself in your best costumes, lace up your walking shoes and join in the most fun pet-friendly event in Ellis County. Compete for prizes, enjoy treats and have an all out blast at the Howl-O-Ween Hustle this year.

This fun filled morning will be held on Halloween morning at beautiful Bluebonnet Park in Ennis.

The day will include a fun run, costume contests, door prizes and fun for all animal lovers.

Everyone who enters the fun run and contests will get a terrific looking event T-shirt and refreshments and will be eligible for door prizes that will be given away throughout the event.

For details and entry information, visit www.EllisCountySPCA.org.

Polo for Paws

Saturday, October 24, Gates open at Noon, Match begins at 2 pm.
Polo for Paws is a benefit polo match being held at the Dallas Polo Club, near Red Oak, Texas. All proceeds go to support the incredible work of Best Friends Animal Society. Gates will open at noon. Polo school will begin at 12:30 pm when you can try your hand at riding a horse and swinging a mallet . The feature match will begin at 2:00pm. Half time will include flying frisbee dogs and TC Cappel’s Dancing Dogs. Additional activities are scheduled throughout the day. For more information and tickets, check out the Polo For Paws http://www.squidoo.com/poloforpaws for more info.

Autumn Days in Ennis Fall Festival

Saturday, October 17 from 10 am- 5pm
This festival features arts, crafts, great food, live entertainment, and children’s activities. This is a great family event held in downtown Ennis. Free admission. Call 972-878-4748 or visit www.visitennis.org for more info.

It’s your chance to play in a water park with your dogs!

Co-hosted with the Humane Society of North Texas.

The Ellis County SPCA will co-host the Barkin’ Bow Wow Luau event at Hawaiian Falls at 490 Heritage Pkwy S in Mansfield, TX: (817) 853-0050.

Bring your water loving dog pals. They will get to play in the big wave pool and the lazy river, plus they can run and splash with lots of furry friends.

Get in on your chance to win huge prizes in the Rubber Ducky Race ($5 per entry) and take advantage of low-cost microchipping.

There will also be fun pet games and food and vendors.

Get your tickets early to be eligible for a great FREE beach bag with your paid entry (while supplies last)!

Advance tickets are $15 per ticket. Tickets purchased at the event are $20 each. Each ticket is good for one person and up to 2 dogs.

Dogs must be current on vaccinations and tags must be visible while at the park. Because of vaccination requirements, please don’t bring any puppies that are less than 6 months old to the event.

Don’t miss out on the fun! You and your dogs will have the best time ever!

Visit the Ellis County SPCA website for tickets and more information.

Also, visit our online calendar for more events.