So many ways to celebrate the season…here are few. Add your event by emailing editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.
Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21 – SUNDAY, JAN. 6
Experience a drive-thru holiday spectacular featuring more than two million LED lights – 600 holiday displays across 1.7 miles at Texas Motor Speedway. $15 per car Mon-Thur, or $20 per car Fri, Sat and Sun. Proceeds benefit Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth and Tarrant Area Food Bank. Learn more at giftoflightstms.com.
Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot
THURSDAY, NOV. 22
The Capital One Bank Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot will bring 40,000 to Dallas City Hall Plaza for an 8 mile race and 5K fun run on Thanksgiving morning. Tune in Nov 24 on Channel 8 as the 45th running of the Trot comes to life through the history, people and the stories of the YMCA. To register, visit thetrot.org.
Did you know that the 2011 Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot achieved the Guinness Book of World Record’s recognition as the most people dressed as turkeys in one location?
Free Thanksgiving meal for needy families
Heavenly Supply Depot will feed the first 200 people who either RSVP and/or stop by Tierney’s Café on Thanksgiving Day. See our full story here.
‘Uh Oh, Here Comes Christmas’
FRIDAY, NOV. 23 – OPENING NIGHT
Rockwall Community Playhouse presents “Uh Oh, Here Comes Christmas” from Nov. 23, 24, 25, 30 and Dec 1, 2, 7, 8, 9. Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.
For tickets, visit rockwallcommunityplayhouse.org.
Festival of Trees
SUNDAY, NOV. 25 – FRIDAY, NOV. 30
Experience a showcase of holiday trees during Helping Hands’ 3rdAnnual Festival of Trees at the Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront.
Six trees decorated by the best of the best – the 2011 Festival of Trees contest winners – will be showcased in the Hilton lobby. On Nov 30 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., all holiday tree contest entries will be on display.
For more info, see our full story here.
Tree of Remembrance
MONDAY, NOV 26 – FRIDAY, DEC 21
Rest Haven Funeral Home welcomes families to personalize an angel wing photo frame ornament in memory of a loved one and place it on the “Tree of Remembrance.” Ornaments available for personalizing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon-Fri and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat in Rockwall and Rowlett locations; and from 9 to 11 a.m. Mon-Fri at the Royse City Chapel.
Quad Chamber Speed Networking
TUESDAY, NOV. 27
Join Rockwall, Rowlett, Fate and Royse City Chambers for speed networking at Luna De Noche. Ribbon cutting at 5 p.m.; cocktails, appetizers at 5:30; networking from 6 to 7. Free to Chamber members; limited to first 100 members who RSVP to 972-722-2870 or info@mycomputerguy.com.
Orange Wave
THURSDAY, NOV. 29
Rockwall High School’s Orange Wave Band performs on the ice during the first intermission of the Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers game, which starts at 7:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center.
City of Rockwall Tree Lighting
THURSDAY, NOV. 29
Rockwall’s 29th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at City Hall begins at 7 p.m. and includes holiday music, free cookies, hot chocolate, coffee, and visits with Santa.
Wylie Acting Group presents ‘Charlie Brown Christmas’
FRIDAY, NOV. 30 – OPENING NIGHT
The classic seasonal children’s television special of A Charlie Brown Christmas will be brought to life on the stage by the Wylie Acting Group for Children just in time for the holidays!
A Charlie Brown Christmas will be presented at New Hope Church in Wylie at 7 p.m. Friday, November 30 and at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, December 1.
See our full story here.
Heath Annual Holiday in the Park
FRIDAY, NOV. 30
Heath presents Holiday in the Park at 6 p.m. in the Towne Center Park Pavilion. Experience the tree lighting, holiday music performed by the honor choirs of Amy Parks and Pullen Elementary Schools, and photos with Santa.
Bring canned food donations for Helping Hands. For more info, visit heathtx.com.
Heath Holiday Home Tour
FRIDAY, NOV. 30
Five holiday homes will be open for self-guided touring from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door or $15 in advance at RHHS, Heath Hair, Rockwall Chamber, Bella’s House and American National Bank; or contact Holly Ford, 972-672-4823.
Proceeds benefit RHHS Senior Class of 2013’s after prom party at Shenaniganz.
Rockwall’s Christmas Parade & Old Town Christmas Market
SATURDAY, DEC. 1
“Through the Eyes of a Child” is the theme of the Rockwall Kiwanis Club Christmas Parade which starts at 9 a.m. at Caruth and travels south on Goliad to the Square.
For more info, visit rockwallkiwanis.org or call 972-722-6001.
While downtown, enjoy the Old Town Christmas Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Amy Parks student Courtney Kirk is the poster contest winner and Rockwall Christmas Parade Grand Marshal.
Forney Hometown Christmas
SATURDAY, DEC 1
The 9th Annual Forney Hometown Christmas will feature a Christmas parade, live music and ongoing performances on two stages, a pie-eating competition, ice skating rink, a 70-foot drop Zipping Line Ride, a 12-seat swinging pirate ship, and Zooniversity Exotic Animal Shows. More than a dozen different food vendors and restaurants will be on hand, along with 80 retail and craft booths. For more info, see our story post.
Rockwall Women in Business
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5
Wine down with Rockwall Women in Business beginning at 5 p.m. at KE Cellars on the Square. Enjoy pizza specials from Pizza Cucina.
Cookies & Crafts
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5
Children age 3 to 6 may cut and decorate Christmas cookies and have fun with holiday crafts from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Center at CityPlace. The cost for residents is $9.
Rowlett Stampede
FRIDAY, DEC 7
Rowlett Chamber will present its 23rd Annual Casino Night at 6 p.m. at Hella Temple,2121 Rowlett Road.
Tickets available at Chamber office or rowlettchamber.com.
Breakfast with Santa
SATURDAY, DEC 8
Tickets are limited for Breakfast with Santa from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 10:30 to noon at The Center at CityPlace. Cost for residents is $9. Pre-registration required.
Texas Christmas on Main Street
SATURDAY, DEC. 8
Royse City Main Streetpresents a lighted parade, puppet shows and tree lighting. Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m.; parade starts at 6:30. An all-day Holiday Market opens at 11 a.m. onArch Streetacross from City Hall, with the Blaine Mitchell Band performing from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Courtyard.
Pancakes with Santa
SATURDAY, DEC. 8
Herfurth Elementary PTA presents its second annual Pancakes with Santa from 8 to 11 a.m. at the school, located at 7500 Miller Road in Rowlett.
Breakfast is $5; photo with Santa, $3.
Sounds of the Season
TUESDAY, DEC. 11
Rest Haven Funeral Home’s community-wide holiday music program will feature the Rockwall High School choir, “Walk the Line,” at 6 p.m. at the Rockwall Chapel, 2500 Hwy 66.
Friends of Library Christmas Luncheon
TUESDAY, DEC. 11
The Friends of the Rockwall County Library Christmas Luncheon observes its 10th anniversary and continues the tradition of hostesses creating beautiful, holiday table settings. For more info, see our full story.
Gingerbread House Building
WEDNESDAY, DEC 12
Children age 3-12 can bring a bag of candy to share with friends while decorating a gingerbread dream house from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Center at CityPlace. Residents: $15.
Newcomers Celebration of the Season
THURSDAY, DEC 13
The Rockwall County Newcomers and Friends will combine a Christmas Social and Special program for their meeting and luncheon on December 13 at Occasions at Stone River in Royse City. Club members will decorate tables with various holiday themes and there will be prizes for the best decorated tables. Entertainment will be provided by the School Show Choir led by Jan Stonestreet. All women of Rockwall County are invited. Advance reservations are required by December 3; call Sylvia at 972-722-4890 or Marion at 972-722-9896. Cost is $19, payable at the door.
Toys for Tots at The Harbor
FRIDAY, DEC. 14
Join Fox 4 for the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation drop-off event from 5 to 9 p.m. at The Harbor. See coverage from last year’s event here.
Living Nativity
SUNDAY, DEC. 16
First Christian Church Rockwall will re-enact the Christmas Nativity story free to the public. A costumed cast of all ages will perform every 20 – 30 minutes, between 6 and 8 p.m. Children will also be given a chance to pet live animals that are part of the presentation.
The church is located 3375 Ridge Road, 1.4 miles south of Interstate 30, across from Chandlers Landing. Enter from White Road and follow the signs to parking areas.
MusicFest Holiday Sing-Along
TUESDAY, DEC. 18
MusicFest Presents Rockwall County’s Welcome to the Holidays featuring Rockwall Community Band, Rockwall Children’s Chorus and Audience Sing-Along at 7 p.m. at RHS Performing Arts Center at Utley. Tickets available at Lakeside Bank & Rockwall Chamber or rockwallmusicfest.com, 972-800-9841.
To submit your good news and events, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.
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