Lone Star Travelers Blog

The quarter horses will be running again at Lone Star Park for the fall season opening on Friday, September 26th 2008 through November 29th, 2008.  The Fall Meeting of the Champions features live American Quarter Horse racing Thrsday through Saturday nights in October and Wednesday through Saturday nights in November.  The Grandstand gates open at 5:30 PM and the first live race begins at 6:35 PM. Party at the Park on Friday nights through October 31st features top local bands on the Courtyard of Champions stage and drink specials from 7PM-11PM.  In November bring any pepsi can to the Grandstand Admission gates on live racing days to receive free general admission, a free large pepsi and a free Pepsi track program.  Note:  There is no live racing Wednesday November 26 or Thursday November 27.     www.lonestarpark.com

The State Fair of Texas opens September 26th, 2008 and runs until October 19th, 2008.  General admission is $14.  Kids under 48 inches tall are $10.  2 years of age and under are free.  Seniors 60 years and over pay $10 or may enter free every Thursday the Fair is open.  A Garden Getaway Combo is available at $17.  It provides one day entrance to the State Fair of Texas and one day entrance to the Dallas Arboretum.  Discount tickets may be purchased in advance at Kroger Supermakets in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for $12.50 one day admission.  A season pass for The Fair is sold at Kroger for $29.99 and includes a free movie ticket and a free one day admission to Six-Flags over Texas.  On Tuesday’s during the Fair entrance is $3 with an empty Dr Pepper or Diet Dr Pepper can.  Admission is $6 any day after 6PM with a Dr Pepper or Diet Dr Pepper can.  On Wednesday’s during the Fair entrance is $1 if you bring 3 cans of food to the admission gate.  On Thurdays admission is $4 with an empty 20 ounce Coke product.  The Texas State Fair will be open from 10AM-10PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.  On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays it will be open from 10AM-9PM.  Midway opening and closing times vary.  Parking is $10 with valet parking available for $25.  A shuttle runs on Saturday and Sunday from the Pearl Street Station to the Fair.  Note:  TX OU Weekend is October 09-12.  www.bigtex.com

The city of Irving Texas will hold it’s first Irving Main Street Event with a theme, Music and Magic on Main.  The festival will be held on September 27th, 2008 from 3PM-7PM in the Irving Heritage District.  The event will feature a car show, music, magic, artists, food and children’s activities.  The exciting schedule includes a Jazz Performance by Fingerprints at 3PM , between 430PM-530PM the High School Caesar Band performs, from 6PM-8PM Illusionist David Thomas will perform his Las Vegas style award-winning show “World of Magic” and from 7PM-8PM enjoy the Cavalcade of Stars, a unique interactive dance band presented by Tapley Entertainment.  This is a free event.  5,000-8,000 people are expected to attend.

As of Friday the 19th of September, 2008 four Texas State Parks in northeast Texas have restored power and three have fully reopened.  They are Atlanta, Caddo Lake and Martin Creek State Parks.  Daingerfield State Park is open for day use only until further notice.  13 Texas State Parks remain closed until further notice.  They are Battleship Texas, Brazos Bend, Fanthorp Inn, Galveston Island, Huntsville, Lake Livingston, Martin Dies Jr, Mission Tejas, San Jacinto Battleground & Monument, Sea Rim, Sheldon Lake, Village Creek and Washington on the Brazos/Barrington Farm.  

The 29th annual Plano Balloon Festival will be held September 19, 20 and 21st 2008.  More than 70 balloons will ascend each evening at 6PM as well as Saturday and Sunday mornings at 7AM.  The balloon glow Friday and Saturday evenings at 8PM is a favorite of the crowd as balloons of all shapes and sizes inflate and fire up their burners glowing in a spectacular show against the dark night sky.  Sky Divers will preform Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5PM jumping into the field at the viewing area in front of you.  On Saturday night at 9PM enjoy a spectacular fireworks display.  Other activities include a Kids Zone, a rock climbing wall, entertainment on the community and main stages, vendors featuring food, arts and crafts and other merchandise.   Balloon rides may be reserved with Air Venture Balloon (972-422-0212) for $250 per/person.  The festival opens on Friday afternoon at 4PM.  Stay and enjoy the street dance beginning at 8:45 PM.  6AM openings on Saturday and Sunday mornings for the early birds, 7PM Sunday evening will close the weekend.  Admission is $5 per/person (one-time admission) $8 per/person (two-time admission) or $20 for the weekend including all 3 days with a five-time admission.  Discounted tickets of $4 are good from 9AM-3PM only.  $1 discount for seniors 65 years and older and kids under 36 inches in height are free.  Parking is $10 per car, $5 off site or ride the dart rail from Parker Station to Oak Point Park.  More than 80,000 people are expected to attend.  www.planoballoonfest.org