Wildflower watch

Ennis' famed bluebonnets perk up and peek out for their 2022 spring show

They're not quite bountiful seas of blue yet.

Facebook/Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival

Wildflower watchers who've been doing rain dances: Keep on grooving. The bluebonnets are coming, but they need some more help. The Ennis Bluebonnet Trails, considered one of the best places in Texas to see the beloved state flower, are opening for the season Friday, April 1 and running through April 30, 2022.

The Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival, annually held at the peak of bluebonnet season, is set for April 8-10.

Event organizers have been posting daily bluebonnet updates on their website and social media pages, and up until late March, things weren't sounding too encouraging. While bluebonnet season typically starts in late March, an unusually dry fall, winter, and spring have delayed the season around the state, spotters report.

Last week's rain showers across Dallas-Fort Worth helped the Ennis fields. It seems more storms are on the way Tuesday night.

"The bluebonnets are starting to peek after the rain we had last week and the sunshine over the weekend," a spokesperson for Ennis Bluebonnet Trails says. "We expect the rain this week to really bring them out."

For the uninitiated, Ennis Bluebonnet Trails wind visitors through 40 miles of picturesque wildflowers, and they're free to drive. Ennis was named the Official Bluebonnet Trail of Texas and the Official Bluebonnet City of Texas by the 1997 State Legislature, and Ennis' trails are the oldest known trails in the state.

Those interested in making the trek about 60 miles southeast of Fort Worth can check out maps and updates on the website and social media channels.

Bluebonnet seekers can download the Ennis Y’all mobile app to get all the information on smartphones, then plan to stop by the Ennis Welcome Center (open daily in April, except Easter Sunday, April 17), for guidance on getting the most out of their visit.

A favorite DFW tradition is driving the trails and finding picturesque spots for photos along the way, then returning to historic downtown Ennis for the annual festival.

This year marks the 70th annual Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival, presented by the Ennis Garden Club. It will run 10 am April 8 through 6 pm April 10 and will feature food, a beer garden, a wine wander, shopping, children's activities, bluebonnet souvenirs, and live entertainment throughout the weekend; admission is just $5.

According to a news release, the 2022 festival entertainment lineup will include Infinite Journey, a high energy Journey cover band; and the headliner, country star Rick Trevino. Fireworks will cap off Friday and Saturday night festivities.

The Downtown Ennis Bluebonnet Market, located on North Dallas Street, opens every Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm, April through October. It sells fresh produce, baked goods, artisan gifts, jewelry, clothing, and more.

At least at the beginning of bluebonnet season, visitors are encouraged to call, email, or check out the Bluebonnet Trails website for the latest status of the bluebonnets before driving out to the trails.

Now, resume those rain dances. Find a much longer list of the best places this spring for bluebonnets in DFW and around Texas here.

nature

Holiday fun

Streets closed, parking + more 411 on Fort Worth Parade of Lights 2024

GM Financial Parade of Lights Fort Worth

Photo courtesy of Parade of Lights

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It'll begin to look a lot like Christmas in Fort Worth when the 42nd annual GM Financial Parade of Lights parades through downtown the evening of Sunday, November 24.

Getting caught in stalled traffic and squabbling over parking spots, however, are major bah humbugs. Here's a guide to all the road closures (they start at 6 am!), parking, public transportation options, the parade route, and more good info to know before you head downtown. All information is provided by the parade organizers, and more can be found on their website.

What, when & where: Themed “Holiday Wishes," the parade will feature floats, vintage cars, horse-drawn carriages, marching bands, and carolers along the 1.59-mile route through downtown Fort Worth. Carrying on the long-standing tradition, the largest illuminated parade in the state of Texas will conclude with a special appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus on the specially designed, LED-lit, grand finale float. The parade officially kicks off at 6 pm Sunday, November 24.

Street closures: They start at 6 am Sunday. Repeat: 6 am, a full 12 hours before the parade starts. They include portions of Weatherford Street, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Streets, Taylor, Lamar, Burnett, Cherry and Florence Streets. Spur 280 from Interstate 35 will close at 4 p.m. Belknap, Henderson, and North Main Streets will remain open to traffic during the parade. For a full list of street closures and times, check out this chart.

Parking: For attendees planning to drive and self-park downtown, organizers recommend entering downtown from the same direction they plan to sit or view the parade from, due to the many streets that will be closed and un-crossable. Several free and paid lots and garages will be accessible for parking on parade day. Parking next to bagged meters is not allowed. Head to www.fortworthparking.com/downtown to review all downtown parking options.

Public transportation: Skip the driving headaches and board the train. Trinity Metro’s 27-mile commuter rail line, TEXRail, will operate its Sunday trains before and after the parade, taking attendees to and from Fort Worth Central Station, two blocks from the parade. Park-and-ride options are available at North Side Station (2829 Decatur Ave.) and Fort Worth T&P Station (221 W. Lancaster Ave.). Parking will be free at most TEXRail stations and riders can save 50% on the GoPass app using promo code POL24A. NOTE: The Trinity Railway Express will NOT operate on parade day. Visit https://ridetrinitymetro.org/texrail-schedule for schedules and more information.

TexRail Leave the car at home and ride the TEXRail. Courtesy photo

The parade route: The parade and opening ceremonies start at 6 pm at Weatherford and Throckmorton streets. This year it will proceed east along Weatherford Street, and turn south on Commerce Street all the way to 9th Street. At 9th Street, the parade will proceed west to Houston Street, and then turn north on Houston Street all the way to 2nd Street. At 2nd Street, the parade will proceed west to Throckmorton Street, then turn south and conclude at 3rd and Throckmorton Streets. To view the complete parade route and map, go here. Not sure where to watch? People line up on all portions of the route.

Paid viewing: There is paid, reserved seating along the route, and as of press time, there were still seats available. “Street Seats” guarantee a prime viewing spot. They start at $15 for children and $17.50 for adults and are available for purchase online online.

Root, root, root for the grand marshals: Members of the 2023 World Series champion Texas Rangers will serve as the parade’s grand marshals. Outfielder and 2023 Rangers postseason standout- Evan Carter, along with Texas Rangers mascot, Captain, and the 2023 World Series Trophy will ride atop the Grand Marshal float.

Reasons to arrive early: Due to road closures and traffic delays, attendees are encouraged to arrive downtown early to eat, shop, and more. Family-friendly happenings downtown on Sunday include:

Free tours of the Tarrant County Courthouse: From 2:30-4:45 pm, the Tarrant County Courthouse will offer free tours. The famous pink-granite courthouse was built in 1895 and took over two years to build.
Family Day at Sid Richardson Museum: Families are encouraged to visit the Sid Richardson Museum for free creative fun, live screen printing, and giveaways.
Note that the Sundance Square Christmas tree lighting will NOT be taking place in conjunction with the Parade of Lights this year.
Many other big local holiday events will be worth checking out before or after the parade. Check out this list of Christmas light events, for example.

Watch it live: For those unable to attend in person, a live TV broadcast of the parade will air on KTXA-TV / TXA-21 and online at CBSDFW.com at 6 pm, with a second TV broadcast airing on KTXA-TV / TXA-21 on Christmas Eve at 8 pm. In addition, the parade will broadcast via Facebook Live on the Parade of Lights’ Facebook event page.

Get social: The official hashtag for the 2024 GM Financial Parade of Lights is #ParadeOfLights2024. Follow along for updates on the Parade of Lights via these social media pages:

Online: www.FortWorthParadeOfLights.org
On Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ParadeofLightsFW
On Instagram: www.instagram.com/paradeoflightsfw/

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