Fall festivals in Collin, Dallas and Rockwall counties

Fall festivals in Collin, Dallas and Rockwall counties

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STAFF REPORT

Everyone knows that Labor Day marks the end of summer.

But a quick look around our portion of North Texas reveals a less-recognized fact: The holiday weekend was but a harbinger of a fall season of lively festivals and events.

The festival season generally runs mid-September to mid-October and includes Oktoberfests in McKinney and Addison (actually held in September), the Plano Balloon Festival, Taste of Collin County, Cottonwood Arts Festival in Richardson, Garland’s Wild West Cowboy Round-Up, Autumn at the Arboretum in the Lake Highlands area, the State Fair of Texas, of course, and others big enough to make our highlights list.

“It typically cools off by September, so it kicks off the fall festival season,” said Jo Via, executive director of next weekend’s Plano Balloon Festival, shedding light on the flurry of festivals. “There’s always a good number of options for people to go to.”

“If you go to one there’s no reason you can’t go to another,” reasoned Nancy Ghirla, a spokeswoman for the Garland event, also scheduled next weekend.

The variety should be enough to satisfy even the most enthusiastic festival-goers.

Following are details by dates and communities:

McKinney

Taste of Collin County will present samples of food, wine and beer from more than 40 Collin County restaurants, live entertainment and kids’ activities at Collin County Regional Airport in McKinney. Proceeds from the event benefit North Collin County Habitat for Humanity.

When: 5 to 9 p.m. Monday

Where: Collin County Regional Airport, 1496 E. Industrial Blvd.

Admission: $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $10 for kids

More info: Call 972-542-5300, ext. 104 or visit tasteofcollincounty.com

Addison

More than 60,000 visitors are expected at Addison Oktoberfest for four days of activities, including authentic German food; beer hall and Weingarten; music and folk dancing; arts and crafts; amusements; children’s entertainment; and more.

When: 6 to 11 p.m. Sept. 16; 6 p.m. to midnight, Sept. 17; noon to midnight Sept. 18; and noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 19

Where: Addison Circle Park, 4970 Addison Circle DriveAdmission: Free Sept. 16, $5-$10 other days and times for ages 4 and olderMore info: Visit addisontexas.net/events/oktoberfest/

Plano

The Plano Balloon Festival will feature more than 60 hot air balloons, sky divers, inflatable rides, face painting, crafts, fireworks and live entertainment, including a performance by country singer Scott Ewing. Balloon rides will be available for a cost of around $250 per person.

When: 4 p.m. to close Sept. 17; 6 a.m. to close Sept. 18; and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 19

Where: Oak Point Park, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway

Admission: $5 for one day, $8 for two days, $4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; $1 off for seniors 65 and older, and kids under 36 inches are free

More info: Contact Jessica Jackson at 972-867-7566 or jessica@planoballoonfest.org, or visit planoballoonfest.org

Garland

The city’s Wild West Cowboy Round-Up includes chuck wagons serving authentic cowboy food such as meat, beans and potatoes; live western entertainment; a petting zoo; hay mazes; pony rides; and crafts.

When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 18

Where: Downtown Garland Square, Sixth and Main streets

Admission: Free

More info: Contact Nina Ghirla at 214-682-5824 or info@garlandmessenger.com or visit garlandcowboyroundup.com

Rockwall

About 200 vendors at the annual Aspasians Fall Arts & Crafts Fair will sell an array of merchandise and foods, such as jewelry, woodwork and gourmet popcorn. Proceeds from the event, sponsored by Aspasians nonprofit women’s service organization, are donated for scholarships for high school seniors.

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 18

Where: Historic Downtown Rockwall Square (intersection of Goliad, San Jacinto, Kaufman and Rusk streets)

Admission: Free

More info: Call 214-712-0212 or visit aspasians.com

Lake Highlands

The Dallas Arboretum’s Autumn at the Arboretum will kick off with the Great Pumpkin Festival, which will include the Tom Thumb Pumpkin Patch, a Storybook Pumpkin Village, a hay bale maze and thousands of colorful fall plants and flowers. Other events are Fall Family Fun Weekend, Cool Thursdays concert series and more.

When: Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Great Pumpkin Festival runs Sept. 18 to Nov. 14; Fall Family Fun Weekend is Oct. 30-31; and Cool Thursdays are 7 p.m. Sept. 16 to Oct 29

Where: 8525 Garland Road, Dallas

Admission: General admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors 65 and older, $7 for children 3-12

More info: Call 214-515-6518 or visit dallasarboretum.org

Little Elm

The town’s annual Little Elm Autumn Fest will feature a family carnival, contests, rides, games, a memorial 5K fun run, 1-mile walk, Little Miss Autumn Fest, barbecue cook-off. and vendors selling food, arts and crafts.

When: Sept. 23-26

Where: Little Elm Park, 704 W. Eldorado Parkway

Admission: Free

More info: Call Missy Meador at 972-731-3296 orvisit littleelmtx.us

Dallas

The State Fair of Texas will include a variety of attractions, including live music performances; night parades and pyrotechnics; special exhibits and shows; pig races; an auto show; a petting zoo; fried foods; amusement rides; and more.

When: Fair grounds open at 8 a.m. and closing times vary daily from Sept. 24 – Oct. 17

Where: Fair Park, 3921 Martin Luther King Blvd.

Admission: $15, $11 for kids under 48 inches and seniors 60 and older and free for children under two

More info: Call 214-565-9931 or visit bigtex.com

McKinney

The family-friendly, two-day Oktoberfest hosted by McKinney Main Street will include non-stop activities in the heart of the city celebrating a tradition that started 200 years ago in Munich, Germany. Visitors can enjoy authentic German music, food and drink, traditional costumes, dancing, children’s activities and more.

When: 4 to 11 p.m. Sept. 24; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 25

Where: Historic Downtown Square (intersection of Virginia, Louisiana, Tennessee and Kentucky streets)

Admission:Free

More info: Call 972-547-2660 or visit downtownmckinney.com

Richardson

This fall’s rendition of the nationally recognized, twice yearly Cottonwood Art Festival, now in its 42^nd year, will feature more than 240 artists exhibiting work in 14 categories, including mixed media, ceramics, drawings and pastels, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metals, painting, photography, sculpture and wood.

When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 2-3

Where: Cottonwood Park, 1321 W. Beltline Road, one block east of Coit Road

Admission: Free. Some children’s activities require a fee

More info: Visit cottonwoodartfestival.com

Sachse

The Chamber of Commerce’s yearly Sachse Fall Fest offers arts and crafts booths, food vendors, a children’s pageant, pie baking contest, raffle prizes, a car show, pet photo contest and more.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 9

Where: Heritage Park, 4408 Hudson Drive

Admission: Free

More info: Call the Sachse Chamber of Commerce at 972-496-1212, e-mail info@sachsechamber.com or visit sachsechamber.com

Mark Macesich, neighborsgo assistant managing editor, Caitlin Harrison and Rose Baca, assistant editors, compiled this report.

Little Elm's Autumn Fest is among this season's fall festivals

Little Elm's Autumn Fest is among this season's fall festivals

9:30 AM Fri, Sep 10, 2010 | Permalink
Gary Pina/neighborsgo editor E-mail News tips

The festival season is approaching. It usually runs from mid-September to mid-October and includes Little Elm's Autumn Fest, Oktoberfests in McKinney and Addison , the Plano Balloon Festival and, of course, the State Fair of Texas. The Little Elm Autumn Fest is scheduled Sept. 23-26.

Check out a listing of area events, which includes dates, times and plenty of information for the enthusiastic festival-goers.

Read Mark Macesich's story at neighborsgo.com and in this week's Frisco neighborsgo edition.

AUTUMN FEST 2010 SEPTEMBER 23rd thru 26th-LITTLE ELM PARK

2010 Little Elm TX Autumn Fest info & forms...

2010 Little Elm TX Autumn Fest...

2010 Autumn Fest

Join the Little Elm Festival Association and the Town of Little Elm at it's annual Autumn Fest. The event will be held in Little Elm Park on Thursday, September 23 through Sunday, September 26. Events include Carnival, Fun Run, Anything Floats Derby, BBQ Cook-off, Pretty Baby Contest, Little Miss Autumn Fest, Fireworks, and many more.

Vendor booth space registration begins Tuesday, September 7 and ends Friday, September 17, at the Public Works Service Center located at 1600 Mark Tree Lane in Little Elm. Booth rentals are on a first come, first serve basis. Rental fee per booth for the entire weekend stands at $65.00 without electricity and $80.00 with electricity. Vendors needing additional information may call Missy Meador at (972) 731-3296.

All proceeds go to the development of present and future public parks and facilities located in Little Elm.

Autumn Fest Information and Schedule

Pretty Baby Contest Information and Form
Little Miss Autumn Fest Information and Form
Anything Floats Derby Information and Form
BBQ Cook-Off Information and Form
"Rock the Doc" 5K and 1-Mile Run Information and Form

Autumn Fest in Little Elm Park...

Published: Thursday, September 2, 2010 2:57 PM CDT

This year's Autumn Fest is scheduled in Little Elm Park from Sept. 23 through Sept. 26. Activities for the entire family include Pretty Baby Contest, horseshoes and washer toss, barbecue cook-off, homemade salsa contest, Little Miss Autumn Fest, Anything that Floats Race and a 5K fun run and 1 mile walk. Booth rentals will be available on Sept. 7 for selling food, arts and crafts during the four-day event. Call Missy Meador at 972-731-3296 for information.

next shoulder rub test #1 sept 22 2010

turbinado sugar 1 cup
kosher salt 1 cup
morita red 1/2 cup
gbp 1/2 cup
pap cali sweet 1/4 cup
gran gar 1/4 cup
gran onion 1/4 cup
thyme leaves 1/4 cup
cumin 1/8 cup
dbs 4 1/2 cups

ssbbq psr/ st. simons soul dust
all spices from penzy's spice house

Lang Smoker's RULE!!!

my next Lang. 108 kitchen for my shak...

All new 1/4" rolled plate steel body with all new components. 1/4" plate drip and grease pan are all welded 3 piece construction. Fireboxes constructed of 1/4" plate steel. Handles are 3/8" thick strong back. Trailer is constructed of 3" channel iron and has 15" aluminum wheels with heavy duty trailer tires.

Actual Cooking Surface 92" x 37"

23.62 Sq. Feet
Consists of 3 square tubing and heavy mesh racks laid side by side
2 Upper Racks
33" x 36"
8.25 Sq. Feet
One piece sliding racks made of square tubing and heavy mesh
28" Square Firebox Actual Unit Size:

Length: 10' 3 "
Height: 86½"
Width: 77" Open
Weight - 1500 lbs.
Size: 10'3"L x 44"W x 61"H

$3995.00 Original
$4495.00 Deluxe

Southern MOINK & Mash Pannini...

2010 MOINK Ball Challenge: Michael Baxter


A Pizza Bake? A Meat Pie? Over Pasta? All of which sounded good – but seemed to be “reaching” – this simple dish didn’t need to be over done – just put some Southern kick on it and let it fly – so we did!

Make your MOINK Balls

* 2lbs of Ground Beef (or as much as you need)
* 3 Tbsp (or more) of your favorite BBQ rub – we used Wizzy Pig Steak Rub – and we loved it!
* 1 lbs of the best thick cut country cured bacon you can find – we used Clifty Farms

Season the ground beef well with your good stuff – wrap it in the bacon (about 1/2 a slice to a bit more) per 1/2 oz ball – stick a tooth pick through it to secure and dust them again take them out to your smoker (about 240 for about 1 and a half hours (and then 30 min after dipping – see below)

We smoked ours over some Apple sawdust on an easy to use electric smoker – the wood dust smoked for most of the cook – off of one fill up – we always enjoy Apple smoke over our bacon wrapped treats

Now get back inside and start your taters!

Make your favorite mashed potato recipe and replace the salt with your favorite BBQ rub (ours is included below)

Ingredients

* 5 pounds russet potatoes
* 16 fluid ounces (2 cups) half-and-half
* 6 cloves garlic, crushed
* 4 tablespoons Wizzy Pig Smokin’ Rub
* 6 ounces grated Parmesan

Directions

Peel and dice potatoes about the same size. Place in a pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium heat – then reduce heat to maintain a slow boil. Cook until potatoes fall apart when poked.

Heat the half-and-half and the garlic in a medium pan over medium heat until simmering. Remove from heat.

Remove the potatoes and drain off the water. Mash and add the garlic-cream mixture, Rub, and Cheese; stir to mix well. Let stand for about 5 minutes.

Now go dip your MOINK Balls – mix 1 part your favorite bbq sauce and your favorite jelly or jam

We used Big Butz “No Butz” bbq sauce and a circa 1997 blueberry jam from our local hook up Aunt Mary (she’s 90), go out and cover those MOINK Balls – this is what is going to set the rest of the dish off just right. – pay attention you only got about 30 min til your done.

OK you’ve got Southern BBQ mashed potatoes – you’ve got Apple smoked MOINK Balls – you’ve got fresh deli rolls – What to do?

Take your roll and spread a hefty layer of Cheesy Southern Mashed Potatoes on the top bun – take 3 MOINK Balls from the smoker (remove tooth pick) and place on bottom bun – lightly brush the outside of the roll with olive oil and put it in your hot sandwich press – stay close we are just toasting the whole thing up, give it about 5 minutes

Remove – slice and serve! – pictured with a little lettuce and fresh peeled plum halves

Ground Beef – Bacon- half and half – Parmesan Cheese – 5lbs potatoes – deli buns – BBQ rub – your favorite smoker and sandwich press

Baxter's Original thanks for all the votes - please keep them coming just leave a comment under my recipe at this link http://thebbqgrail.com/2010/09/12/2010-michael-baxter/

southern soul bbq harrison sapp fb friend and Lang brethren...

southern soul bbq...

blues, bandits & bbq... 2010

The Ultimate Coleslaw... Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence, 2007...

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup sour cream
  
• 1 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1/2 tbs Salt
• 1/2 tbs fresh ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar

In a large bowl, mix together the dressing ingredients. Add the shredded slaw mix and toss until combined.

Kettle Chips with Parmesan and Herbs...

• 6 large Yukon gold potatoes
• Canola oil and olive oil, 75/25 ratio for frying
• 6 whole cloves garlic
• 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1/2 bunch sage
• 1/2 bunch fresh thyme
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Wash and clean the potatoes in cold running water. Using a mandoline, or vegetable peeler, finely slice the potatoes into chips. Drop the chips into a bowl of ice water as you work to prevent them from going brown. This will also remove any excess starch.

Set a large pot of 75/25 canola and olive oil over medium heat and add the garlic (paper and all) and whole stems of fresh rosemary, sage and thyme. Bring oil up to 375 degrees F. As it heats up the oil will get infused with the garlic and herbs. Once the herbs crackle and get crispy they will go clear and you know they are done. Using a strainer drain the herbs and garlic and set aside on paper towels.

Fry the potatoes in batches until golden and crispy. Drain the chips, dry well on paper towels and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with crispy fried herbs, garlic and shower with Parmesan.

Tyler's Ultimate...

Bourbon Peach Cobbler

Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence /show ultimate pulled pork

• 8 peaches, peeled and sliced, about 6 to 8 cups
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 3/4 cup sugar, divided, plus more for dusting
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, plus 2 tablespoons for skillet
• Heavy cream, plus more for brushing

Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a large bowl add the peaches, bourbon, 1/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon and mix well to coat the peaches evenly; set aside.

Prepare the dumplings: Into food processor add the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter into small pieces. Add it to the flour mixture and pulse until the mixture looks like wet sand. Mix just until the dough comes together. Don't overwork; the dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.

In a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium-low heat, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add the peaches and cook gently until heated through, about 5 minutes. Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls over the warm peaches. There can be gaps, the dough will puff up and spread out as it bakes. Brush the top with some heavy cream and sprinkle with some sugar; put it into the oven on a baking sheet to catch any drips. Cook for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is browned and the fruit is bubbling.

Mango Margaritas...

recipe from teala's, 3210 w. dallas, houston
1 cup white tequila
1/2 cup triple sec or cointreau
2 1/2 cups pureed fresh ripe mangoes [ 4 or 5, depending on size ]
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 lb. crushed ice

place half of the ingredients in a blender ( it can hold only half the batch at a time ) and blend to a slushy consistency ( will not be as thick as a typical frozen margarita ). if mangoes are not fully ripe, add more triple sec to taste. off-season, use frozen mangoes. makes four 10 oz margaritas.

blues, bandits & bbq...

me & my jeep in oak cliff...

Oak Cliff festival celebrates local flavor...

Oak Cliff festival celebrates local flavor

12:00 AM CDT on Monday, September 13, 2010

By STEVE THOMPSON / The Dallas Morning News
stevethompson@dallasnews.com

The vibe along West Davis Street on Sunday could be felt even through a sweat-soaked shirt.



Despite an overbearing Texas sun that hardly seems to realize Labor Day has come and gone, partygoers showed up in enthusiastic numbers to soak up historic Oak Cliff's latest street festival.

Authentic. Organic. Creative. Vibrant. This is what organizers of the Blues, Bandits and Barbeque block party were after when they began planning the event just eight weeks ago.

They trucked in young oak trees and shrubs to temporarily line the street, courtesy of the landscaping design firm SWA Group. They booked 23 barbecue teams to compete in a cook-off of free-range, organic meats.

Vendors dotted the sidewalks, selling everything from Mexican-style handbags to goat cheese.

Estimates of the crowd ranged from 600 to several thousand.

There was plenty of beer and flip-flops, as well as a laid-back aura that the rest of Dallas can often find difficult to capture.

The nonprofit group Go Oak Cliff, which organized the event, wanted to show what sidewalk seating, landscaping and local culture can do for a place. They billed the day as not just a party, but a "political statement" and a "demonstration zone."

"The success of this event today is a testament to the fact that the city of Dallas is really craving authentic, neighborhood-oriented spaces," said Rob Shearer, a board member of Go Oak Cliff. "I don't think you've got that with West Village or Mockingbird Station, and we're really striving to create that."

Business owners along this long-depressed strip hope it portends good days to come. The nearby Bishop Arts District is now a well-established collection of unique shops and restaurants. What's to stop that vitality from moving westward along Davis Street?

"It's beginning to happen," said 37-year-old Joel Laxson, owner of Oak Cliff Pizza. "It's really exciting. It's a great time to live over here."

The area thrived in the early 1940s, back when the Kessler Theater was built at West Davis Street and North Clinton Avenue. This year, after decades as an embroidery shop, the theater has been reborn as an art gallery, a teaching institution and a live performance venue.

"Obviously today is a pretty good example of what potentially could happen," said Edwin Cabiness, the Kessler's owner.

Across the intersection from the Kessler, a pop-up business named Fair Play was open Sunday in a vacant shop. Among the vendors inside was 32-year-old Lisa Walter, selling colorful bags made of vinyl from discarded billboard coverings.

Walter, who grew up in Arlington, said she worked in the corporate world after college until she decided it wasn't for her. She wanted to make her living doing something creative.

It often occurred to her that she might better belong in Austin.

"Until I moved to Oak Cliff," she said, "and I saw that there was this awesome pocket of incredibly creative people, living in a little community."