Denton Drive Live! bands are officially announced for the 2021 free concerts to be held monthly at the Farmers Branch Historical Park between April and September. The stage is double booked the second Saturday of the month with two wildly popular bands that bring music that rocks and show worthy performances.
The adults are going to sing along to every song while the kids stay busy with cool activities like soccer darts, face paintings, a balloon artist, and more! Nuevo Leon Mex Mex Restaurant is a Farmers Branch favorite and their concession stand offers a grilled fresh menu plus beer and wine. Updates for additional food vendors and activities are posted regularly to Denton Drive Live!
Scan the season for all six concerts and make plans to bring a friend, make it a date, or enjoy with the whole family! The stage is booked for April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, and September 11, 2021.
Follow @DentonDriveLive on Instagram and Facebook to see video clips from the bands and concert photos throughout the series. Tag #DentonDriveLive while attending so we can see and share your posts! Visit www.dentondrivelive.com for the full schedule and additional details.
Denton Drive Live! 2021 Bands:
Coolers are welcome, but absolutely no outside alcohol is allowed. Beer and wine may be purchased at the park.
We love your four-legged friends, but due to the event being moved from The Grove to the Historical Park, dogs are not allowed at the Denton Drive Live! concerts. Persons with disabilities and their service animals that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for those persons with disabilities are welcome at City of Farmers Branch events.
The Farmers Branch Aquatics Center has been awarded Agency of the Year: Class II from the North Texas Aquatics Association (population of 40,000 – 74,999) in 2020 and previously won in 2019. Running the Frog Pond Water Park in a pandemic was nothing the staff could have imagined doing. Without the diligence and dedication of each Lifeguard and Instructors, the 2020 summer would not have been possible.
Farmers Branch Aquatics Center Staff
“In Farmers Branch, we pride ourselves on growing our own by investing the time and education and reaping the benefits of their dedication. The staff came up with the term “Frog Squad” as our version of family (based off our Frog Logo, and name of our Frog Pond Waterpark). We are not just co- workers or team members, we are a Frog Squad. We are family- oriented and relate all of our trainings back to our City’s Core values R.E.A.C.T., which stands for Respect, Excellence, Accountability, Care, and Trust. This has created a culture that breeds excellence, communication, and a fun environment for patrons and staff alike!” Paul Macias, Aquatics Manager
The recruiting theme this year was Friends, “I’ll be there for you.” The staff recreated a Friends opening video, which played at high school recruiting trips. The song says, “When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month or even your year. I’ll be there for you.” 2020 does not feel like our year. This year’s summer quote was, “We are in this together just six feet apart.” The staff came together as one team to achieve the goal of keeping everyone safe and the facility clean.
NTAA provides a tight-knit community of Aquatic Professionals and Vendors. The mission of the North Texas Aquatics Association is to maintain a knowledgeable, productive and cohesive organization. This organization strives to promote, maintain and be creative in educating the public as well as other aquatic professionals in programming, service and management. In addition, the North Texas Aquatics Association works to develop and maintain the health and safety of all types of aquatics facilities with the area and around the state.
“Staff are friendly and helpful, COVID guidelines being followed, the whole facility is very clean and I feel comfortable and safe visiting during this challenging time. Thank you for all you’re doing to make the pool available and safe for us to visit. It’s a true blessing during these days of turmoil – a wonderful place for a physical and mental break to refresh and keep healthy.”
Member Review
Follow on Facebook or sign-up to receive updates and notifications about upcoming activities. Visit www.fbh2o.com for detailed information about memberships, swim lessons, birthday parties, and more! The Farmers Branch Aquatics Center – Margaret Young Natatorium is located at 14032 Heartside Place, Farmers Branch, TX, 75234. Call 972-919-8720 for more information.
The Frog Pond Water Park opens on Memorial Day Weekend for the start of the summer swim season. The Frog Pond features an activity pool with a kid-friendly play structure with 29 water features, a 350-gallon dump bucket, sprayers, slides and an array of interactive play! Those seeking relaxation can tube the day away in the 500-foot-long lazy river or lounge on the tanning ledge and soak up the rays at the 4-foot-deep lagoon pool. In addition, there are two 30-foot-tall water slides for the thrill seekers in your group.
Farmers Branch Aquatics Center Awarded Agency of the Year Class II in 2019
Skating Under The Stars is a flurry of fun during Christmas In The Branch with the opening of the outdoor ice rink at the Children’s Health StarCenter in Farmers Branch. Opening day is November 25 and skating continues through January 3, 2023. The hours vary throughout the holiday season and the facility is open with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Online registration is required for all skaters. Should anyone walk up for a session, they will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis contingent upon capacity limitations. If you are planning to walk-up, it is recommended that you call ahead to check ice availability for your desired time slot. The Star Center can be reached at 214-432-3131.
Group rates and private ice time is available. Perfect for company outings and parties. Please click here or contact the StarCenter at 214.432.3131 for more information if you need assistance.
Children’s Health StarCenter is located at 12700 N Stemmons Freeway in Farmers Branch. In the case of inclement weather, please contact the StarCenter front desk to verify the outdoor ice rink is open at 214-432-3131.
Follow Christmas In The Branch on Facebook & use the official hashtag #ChristmasInTheBranch when sharing photos and videos on social media.
Festivities include tapas, and dessert, elotes, a signature cocktail, aguas frescas, cinnamon hot chocolate, traditional décor, music, education about the holiday and honoring the deceased. The festivities also include a stroll throughout Farmers Branch Historical Park with altars in several of the historic structures as you “encounter” spirits from the past.
This is recommended for ages 4 and up and pre-registration is required. All attendees must wear masks. The cost is $30 per person and reservations for the Day of the Dead Celebration may be submitted online.
“Americans tend to lump together Halloween and the Day of the Dead,” says Bonnie Neumann, historical cultural specialist for Farmers Branch. “But that’s not really the case. The two holidays are different and separate.”
Dia de los Muertos is not a spooky or somber event! This is a festive occasion honoring the lives and memories of family and friends who have passed away. The living honor the dead during this celebration by building altars, or ofrendas, in memory of the departed. These altars are decorated with orange Mexican marigolds, photographs, favorite foods, drinks and items, such as lace, clothing or jewelry, of the dead.
How to Build an Alter for Day of the Dead – photo credit Texas Monthly
The timing of the holiday occurs at the same time as the migration of the monarch butterflies to Mexico. Some believe that the butterflies are the returning spirits of the departed.
The historical roots of the Day of the Dead, which is observed over three days, can be traced to ancient indigenous peoples of southern Mexico. After the Spanish and Catholicism arrived, the tradition evolved to coincide with the Christian observance of Allhallowtide: All Saints’ Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on October 31, November 1 and November 2. In the 1960’s, Mexico made November 2 a national holiday in observance of the Day of the Dead, known there as Día de los Muertos. It was then that the custom spread throughout Mexico.
Friends of the Farmers Branch Historical Park members, Farmers Branch Historical Park Board, City Council, and employees of the City of Farmers Branch receive a $5 discount. For special pricing, please call the Historical Park at 972-406-0184 and for more information view the Fall event details for the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
The Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival is where folks spend the weekend pickin’ and grinnin’ while the bands are on stage at the glorious Farmers Branch Historical Park. This year marks the 11th and will be held on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17, 2020. Presented by the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation and Farmers Branch Special Events, this industry favorite festival is honored to have been nominated for the 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2020 Bluegrass Event of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA).
The event has grown and in 2019 folks had to choose between the Main Stage and first year of the new Grassroots Stage to accommodate additional bands like Mo Roboson, Frankie Leonie and Pedigo’s Magic Pilsner. A little bird has been spreading the word that the Grassroots Stage has returned, and is generously sponsored by Sparrow Electric.
2020 is in full swing as far as the bands go and here is the line-up for both days because we know a lot of fans book a hotel for the weekend!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020
4:45 p.m. Mike Randall 5:00 p.m. Texas & Tennessee 5:45 p.m. Po Ramblin’ Boys 6:00 p.m. Ginny Mac 7:10 p.m. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver 8:40 p.m. Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2020
11:45 a.m. Simon Flory 12:00 p.m. The Purple Hulls & Dennis W. Parker 1:30 p.m. Texas & Tennessee 12:45 p.m. Mo Roboson 1:00 p.m. Salt Creek Band 2:15 p.m. Sarah Carrino & Co. 2:30 p.m. Appalachian Road Show 3:30 p.m. E-Flat Porch Band 4:00 p.m. The Quebe Sisters 4:45 p.m. Erik Swanson 5:30 p.m. Del McCoury Band 6:00 p.m. Justin Pickard 7:05 p.m. Balsam Range 7:15 p.m. The Bodarks 8:35 p.m. The Travelin’ McCourys
Festival attendees are invited to make their own music in an impromptu jam session in the shade near one of the historical buildings in the park. Specialty arts and craft vendors will set up shop in the marketplace, offering unique items including art, jewelry and more.
You betcha there will be festival food and we’re talking foot-long corn dogs, brisket nachos, Frito pie, twisted tators and even maple bacon donuts! Check out this list of local favorites who’ll be serving up the good stuff: Nuevo Leon Mex-Mex Restaurant, Donovan Concessions, Eastern Star, Donut Snob, and Blackberry Winter Creamery. Please understand that no outside food, beverages, or coolers may be brought into the park except one sealed water bottle per person. Adult beverages will be available for purchase at the festival and here is more info on Concession Vendors.
Bring a blanket for premium grass seating near the stage. To provide better visibility for all, lawn chairs are permitted in marked areas. Bring your own or rent them for $2 at the festival.
TICKETS & FESTIVAL FAQ
We care deeply about the safety of our attendees, participants and staff members, therefore before and while attending this event please be mindful of the following:
Attendance for the event is limited to 2,500 people per day
Temperature checks will be required at the entrance before access into the park is allowed
Masks are required and will be provided at the entrance if needed.
Masks will be required while attending the event for ages 10 and up and are to be worn at all times (except within your social circle).
All attendees must wear a mask when riding the complimentary hotel shuttles. Every other row of seats will be blocked off to allow for social distancing; please allow for longer wait times due to this enhanced safety measure. Periodically the buses will not be in service due to buses being cleaned during the event.
Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival tickets may be purchased online through Showclix!
Adults (13+) $12.50/day in advance (we sell two tickets, one for each day – Friday and Saturday). Advance tickets are available online through Friday October 16th at 3:30 pm. After that tickets can only be purchased by the day at the gate for $15.00 each.
Weekend pass is $20. (Available online only). Weekend pass available to purchase through Friday, October 16, until 3:30 pm.
Adults (13+) $15 at the gate – cash or major credit cards accepted.
Kids 12 and under are free with paid adult.
Tickets are all general admission- no reserved seating. There will be no “will call” option for tickets purchased online. No early entry.
Please note that each night of your stay rewards you with 2 complimentary tickets to the event. Two night stays will receive 4 tickets. Tickets are good either day. Tickets will be given upon hotel check-in. Continental grab and go breakfast will be provided.
Free dry RV camping is permitted in the parking lot at 11800 Ford Road, Farmers Branch, and full RV camping is available at nearby Sandy Lake RV Park.
The Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival is one of many ways the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation preserves and promotes bluegrass music in Texas. The foundation is a non-profit organization and works to provide access to bluegrass instruments, music literacy and performance skill to young people through it’s Play it Forward® program.
The Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival is open from 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday. Parking is FREE and located at 12300 Ford Road, Farmers Branch, TX 75234 and handicap parking is available at Metro Business Square at 12300 Ford Road. Check out the FAQ for answers and specific details.
The heart of Farmers Branch is centrally located in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Near I-635 and I-35E, it is also easily accessible via George Bush Turnpike or DART Green Line. Follow the Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival on Facebook or find out more information: www.bloominbluegrass.com
