The Light Park, which opened last weekend in five different Texas locations: Arlington, Frisco, Katy, Selma, and Spring, will be honoring Veterans on November 11^th by offering free Blitzen Bundle to every carload who shows a valid Military ID upon entrance. The Blitzen Bundle includes 2 Light Wands, 2 Electric Lemonades, and one bucket of Movie Theater Popcorn (value $29 each).

 “Veteran’s Day honors all who have served in the U.S. armed forces for their sacrifices. With the joy of the holiday season beginning to spread throughout Texas, we want to do what we can to show these servicemen and women our appreciation for all they have done for our country,” says Matt Johnson, Co-Creator of The Light Park.

The Light Park is an immersive, mile-long, drive-thru spectacular that has been heralded as “one of the coolest ways to brighten your holiday season”, where guests witness millions of lights synchronized to an electric mix of music powered by DJ Polar Ice from the North Pole’s #1 Hit Radio station, K-GLO.

purchased online in advance with a reserved show time.

Those interested in learning more or purchasing admission can visit www.thelightpark.com. Cost starts at $29 per vehicle* for pre-purchased tickets, and admission varies per showtime (weekdays and weekends). The Light Park will remain open until January 1, 2024. Visitors must stay in their vehicles the entire time while visiting the park and while on the park property. Guests are encouraged to bring their snacks to enjoy while in their cars, but there are wonderful ways to upgrade your experience with pre-purchased snacks and fun souvenirs to enhance the experience of The Light Park.  

*Please note no vehicles over 30ft will be allowed in the park; this includes limousines, trailers, and buses. 

Runs Daily through January 1, 2024

Mondays - Thursdays: 5:30 - 10:00pm

Fridays - Sundays: 5:30 - 11:00pm

CHRISTMAS WEEK HOURS

Dec 18-25: 5:30-11pm

For more information, visit www.thelightpark.com

Where:

Frisco

Riders Field

7300 Rough Riders Trail

Frisco, TX 75034

Arlington

Hurricane Harbor Arlington

1800 E Lamar Blvd, Arlington, TX 76006

Katy

Typhoon Texas Waterpark Parking Lot

555 Katy Fort Bend Rd

Katy, TX 77494

San Antonio

Retama Park Parking Lot

1 Retama Pkwy

Selma, TX 78154

Spring

Hurricane Harbor Parking Lot

21300 Interstate 45 N

Spring, TX 77373

Prices: $29-$125

To Purchase Online: https://www.thelightpark.com/

About The Light Park

The Light Park offers five parks in Texas: Spring, Katy, Selma, Arlington, and Frisco. Each Park features more than one million LED animated lights and boasts the world’s largest synchronized LED light tunnel. Open from November 3, 2023, through January 1, 2024, shows start at 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (weekdays), and 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (weekends and Christmas week); visitors can enjoy a safe and unique experience as they drive through the one-mile holiday light show curated to seasonal music.

Bar-b-que Mainstay Partners with St. Christopher Foundation to Expand the Holiday Hospitality

For the eighth consecutive year, the Soulman's Bar-B-Que Thanksgiveaway is back in North Texas to bring some extra soul to families in need during this holiday season. In addition to the 19 families awarded at each North Texas Soulman’s location, the bar-b-que mainstay will also be donating meals with the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF), a 501(c)(3) charity that helps professional truck drivers and their families when they are unable to work due to illness or injury. The SCF also provides health and wellness programs for these drivers.

For the 2023 Thanksgivaway, each family selected through the online nomination system and SCF will receive a Thanksgiving family meal including a bone-in hickory smoked turkey, cornbread dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, King’s Hawaiian dinner rolls, brown gravy, and cranberry sauce.

“St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers, including truck drivers, a large part of our loyal customer base who have been so important to Soulman’s in our almost 50-year-history,” says Brett Randle, CEO of Soulman’s Bar-B-Que "Since its founding in 1974, Soulman's Bar-B-Que has been about family, friends and great food. For the eighth year in a row, we are honoring the spirit of the season by sharing it in the communities we serve to lend a helping hand to families who've suffered hardship.  It is our distinct pleasure to continue this tradition year after year."

For years, families and friends have enjoyed stress-free holiday celebrations by pre-ordering from the holiday catering menu that showcases Soulman's best-sellers, including bone-in hickory smoked turkey or the spiral sliced holiday ham, mouth-watering sides, and perfect homemade holiday pies. Soulman’s has also partnered with King’s Hawaiian to offer the perfectly sweet and fluffy rolls in every holiday meal from Soulman’s Bar-B-Que. Details are available here.

"Every year in North Texas, the spirit of Thanksgiving goes far and wide, and for that, we are abundantly grateful," said Randle.

Nominations for the 19 meals being distributed for Soulman’s 2023 Thanksgiveaway are available here: www.soulmans.com/thanksgiveaway beginning October 29th, where guests will need to include the name of the nominated recipient, the reason for the nomination, and additional contact information. Winners will be notified on November 13, 2023, and will be required to respond within 48 hours for pick-up on November 21 or 22, 2023.

About Soulman’s Bar-B-Que

For almost 50 years, Soulman’s Bar-B-Que has satisfied the hardest to please bar-b-que lovers….Texans!  Founded in Pleasant Grove, Texas in 1974, Soulman’s had only a few simple goals—serve great Texas-style BBQ and offer friendly, sincere service.  Soulman’s original family recipes are still the foundation for the company’s success from their 8 different types of meat that are smoked “low & slow” over only hickory wood to their famous homemade sides, including Ranch house beans and Texas style cream corn! Throughout the years, this family-owned and operated company has remained true to its original strive for success and customer satisfaction and is honored to be considered one of the Top Bar-B-Que Chains in America (2018) and Best Bar-B-Que in Dallas for Takeout  & Delivery (2020).

Soulman’s currently owns and operates 19 North and East Texas locations in Allen, Cedar Hill, Forney, Fort Worth, Garland, Greenville, Hurst, Lancaster, Lewisville, Mansfield, Mesquite, Quinlan, Red Oak, Rockwall I-30, Rockwall Goliad, Royse City,  Sulphur Springs, Terrell and Van. To learn more about Soulman’s Bar-B-Que, visit them online at http://www.soulmans.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/soulmansbbq.

The Magdalen House, a nonprofit organization helping individuals achieve sobriety and sustain recovery from alcoholism at no cost and based on 12-Step spiritual principles, held the annual Leave a Legacy “Live Loud and Free” community concert on October 19 at The Empire Room. Those in attendance were treated to life-changing stories of recovered alcoholics from the community and live entertainment by Morgan Wade. Guests were able to bid on incredible auction items — all while celebrating the freedom of recovery and raising awareness and much-needed funds to help D/FW women and men achieve alcoholism recovery.

“Leave a Legacy is our biggest and most exciting event of the year,” says Lisa Kroencke, CEO of The Magdalen House. “It is a celebration that highlights the powerful stories of alcoholic women and men in our community, while also celebrating the freedom that comes with recovery. Attendees were left feeling inspired and motivated to help make a lasting impact for alcoholic women and men in our community and beyond. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters all funds raised from this event help us continue to provide no-cost services to alcoholic individuals.” 

This year’s event was co-chaired by JoAnne Moore, Nancy Gottsacker and Melissa Utley. The David M. Crowley Foundation was recognized as the honorary supporter at this year’s event for the foundation’s integral role in advancing the mission and realizing the vision of The Magdalen House. Created in 1990 by David Crowley and Sandra Hallmark, the foundation is committed to addressing the social needs of the D/FW community. The David M. Crowley Foundation has chosen The Magdalen House to be a designated organization and as such has offered many generous grants to support the organization’s mission. Financial support from the foundation has helped launch the Legacy of Hope Capital Campaign, which helped build their new facility that opened in 2021.

One in nine adults suffer from the disease of alcoholism. Today, there are over 250,000 alcoholic women in D/FW alone and approximately 400,000 men struggling with this disease in D/FW. If you’re a person who can’t stop drinking or a concerned loved one of an alcoholic, the first step in recovery is education and access to resources. In North Texas, The Magdalen House is not only a leader in education about alcoholism but also provides in-house services, group meetings, structured programs, family support groups, and tools designed to help grow and sustain recovery. Fundraising events like Leave a Legacy help to ensure that The Magdalen House can continue providing no-cost services to alcoholic individuals.

Tickets are on sale NOW for all three days of celebrities, fun, fandom, and community support!

Dallas FAN FESTIVAL, the go-to extravaganza for all things fandom, is bringing a bang of pop culture to North Texas this weekend! With celebs, comics, cosplay, anime, and gaming, the recently announced schedule includes face-to-face interaction with stars, icons, characters, and genius artists as well as community gatherings and contests for the most creative of fans and friends in North Texas and beyond.  From the MCU to Star Trek to M*A*S*H, Dallas FAN FESTIVAL 2023 is pulling out all the stops, with some once-in-a-lifetime moderated Main Stage experiences including:

• STAGE AND SCREEN WITH DENIS LAWSON on Friday, October 20^th at 4:45 pm in the Main Theater
• BEHIND THE SCENES WITH TITUS WELLIVER on Friday, October 20^th at 5:45 pm in the Main Theater
• MEET THE CHARMING ALYSSA MILANO! on Saturday, October 21^st at 12:45 pm in the Main Theater
• A CHAT WITH MIRA SORVINO on Saturday, October 21^st at 3:45 pm in the Main Theater
• MEET THE AMAZING PAUL BETTANY! on Saturday, October 21st at 4:45 pm in the Main Theater
• ONE ON ONE WITH MICHELLE HURD on Sunday, October 22^nd at 10:45 am in the Main Theater
• A PRESCRIPTION FOR NOSTALGIA WITH JAMIE FARR, LORETTA SWIT AND JEFF MAXWELL on Sunday, October 22^nd at 11:45 am in the Main Theater

This year’s celebrity panels will be moderated by the widely recognized and influential North Texas-based pop culture media personalities Paul Salfen and James Wallace.

Always a crowd-pleaser for the curious and creative, the Cosplay Red Carpet will be buzzing all weekend with specialty events including the Fan-Fashion Catwalk, Anime Pose Cosplay, and the ever-popular Kids’ Costume Contest, Dallas FAN FESTIVAL’s cutest event, on Sunday, October 22 at 3 pm.

And ever a supporter of the community, Dallas FAN FESTIVAL has partnered with multiple North Texas non-profits and Fan Groups to spread their messages and missions. Kicking off the weekend will be the second annual Dallas FAN FESTIVAL Adoption Fest on Friday, October 20^th beginning at 3 pm at the show entrance where Dallas Animal Services will connect attendees with adorable dogs looking for their own superhero!

Other community partners include:

• CAUSE TO PLAY--Cause to Play is a non-profit organization comprised of cosplayers who volunteer for philanthropic and community events. Visit their booth to learn more about their volunteers and events they're appearing at in the community!
• GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHEAST TEXAS--The Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas serves girls and adult volunteers across 32 counties. Stop by their booth to learn more about how they are meeting the urgent need for female voices, engagement, and leadership in STEM.
• Participating Fan Groups including the DFW Critter Crew, DFW Cosplay Gallifrey, Star Garrison of the 501^st, DFW Astromech Builders Club, and DFW Maker District will all be in the Community Zone at Dallas FAN FESTIVAL.

In addition to the Community partners, Cosplay Red Carpet, and Main Stage features, Dallas FAN FESTIVAL’s perennial main attractions include celebrity photo ops and meet and greets, the chance to meet legendary comic book creators, and an unrivaled shopping experience, all under one roof!

Tickets are on sale now. Hours and information are available at dallasfanfestival.com.

DETAILS:  Dallas FAN FESTIVAL runs Friday, October 20 through Sunday, October 22, 2023

Friday, October 20 from 3:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Saturday, October 21 from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Sunday, October 22 from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

The Irving Convention Center is located at 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX 75039

The Warren Center, a nonprofit agency providing professional evaluations, therapy services and support to children with developmental delays and disabilities, is proud to announce the introduction of “Andrew’s Scholarship Fund”. Created by DeEtta Prince, a devoted grandmother, who is taking a heartwarming initiative to express her gratitude and support for The Warren Center, an organization that played a pivotal role in the life of her grandson, Andrew, who has Down syndrome. After benefiting immensely from years of therapy services provided by The Warren Center, Prince is excited to announce the launch of “Andrew’s Scholarship Fund,” aimed at furthering the center’s mission of helping children with developmental differences thrive.

A genetic screening revealed that Andrew would be born with Down syndrome. The anticipation of grandchild number three, Prince and her family brought a mixture of emotions. Despite the initial challenges and uncertainties, they quickly gathered strength and began preparing for Andrew’s arrival. The family’s main concern was Andrew’s heart condition, which eventually required surgery when he was 7 months old. 

The turning point in Andrew’s journey began with his first therapy session at The Warren Center, led by therapist Bernardine. Initially conducted through tele-visits due to the ongoing pandemic, the sessions soon transitioned to in-person interactions that took place at the family’s home. Bernardine’s unwavering commitment and expertise played a significant role in Andrew’s progress, as he learned to sit up, crawl, walk, and even feed himself. The collaborative efforts between Bernardine and the family created a supportive environment that allowed Andrew to flourish.

“The Warren Center’s approach, which involves both at-home and in-office therapy, as well as speech therapy, has been instrumental in Andrew’s growth,” says DeEtta Prince. “We received support for Andrew’s developmental milestones, which also extended to his transition to school, ensuring that he continues to receive the care and assistance he needs. The Warren Center has been center stage for our family. We are beyond grateful that the nonprofit empowers every child, regardless of the severity of their challenges, to achieve their smallest accomplishments. They are committed to not turning away any child based on financial limitations or developmental differences stands as a testament to their dedication.”

To ensure that The Warren Center's transformative work continues, Prince has initiated "Andrew's Scholarship Fund” on Eclipse Innovative website. Prince is the president of Eclipse Innovative and wants to share this scholarship fund with her clients. This fund aims to provide financial support to The Warren Center, ensuring that therapists can remain accessible to families and children both at home and in their clinic. Prince invites the community to contribute generously to Andrew's Scholarship Fund, emphasizing that even a modest donation can contribute significantly to maintaining The Warren Center's invaluable services. The fund has a goal of $100,000.

Additionally, Prince and Eclipse Innovative is partnering with the Allen Americans professional ice hockey team to support The Warren Center as the Allen Americans face the Kansas City Mavericks on November 12 at 2 p.m. A percentage of every ticket sold for that night’s game will go to The Warren Center. The Warren Center will have a table at the game and representatives from The Warren Center will drop the puck to start the game. The Warren Center will also receive a portion of proceeds from the Allen Americans’ 50/50 raffle at the game. Fans and supporters can watch the game on CW33.

Biscuit, the mascot of the Allen Americans, will be at all three The Warren Center offices (central, west, and east) for The Warren Center’s Fall Family Fun Day on October 31 from 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. so that children and families can meet him.

Prince concludes, "Together, we can make the wonder of the world closer for each child and family The Warren Center serves."

For more information about Andrew's Scholarship Fund and to make a donation, please visit: https://www.eclipseinnovative.com/warren-center-giving-campaign.