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Autumn Reo
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The City of Farmers Branch is excited to kick off its “Christmas in the Branch” events for 2024! Celebrating the holidays from Nov. 10 through Dec. 24, the city hosts more than 40 days of special activities and programs for the community designed to be enjoyed by the whole family (including those four-legged friends!) From its always sold-out Holiday Tea at the Dodson House at its beautiful Farmers Branch Historical Park to its Santa Makes Housecalls, where Santa delivers gifts personally to your front door from a festive firetruck, Farmers Branch is the destination for making holiday traditions. And don’t miss “A Christmas Carnival” on Dec. 7 with an evening of holiday magic including Dasher’s Silent Disco, holiday drone show,  a fireworks show and of course, Santa! Many activities are free, but spaces are limited, so make reservations quickly!

Letters to Santa

Nov. 10 – Dec. 8
Make this holiday season extra special for your kiddos with Letters to Santa! The Farmers Branch Aquatics Center has teamed up with the North Pole to ensure all those precious letters to Santa get straight to him. Have your kids write a letter to Santa Claus and they will get a personalized letter back from Santa himself! Just remember to pop in a return address, their Christmas must-haves, and a little something about them. Drop off letters Nov. 10 - Dec. 8 at the Farmers Branch Aquatics Center, 14032 Heartside Pl.

Cost: Free

Christmas Ribbit Reading
Dec. 16, 6 pm
Farmers Branch Aquatics Center 
Join us on select Mondays at 6 p.m. for Ribbit Reading. We're excited to offer this reading event on our Instagram page. November 25, "Little Critter: Just a Special Thanksgiving" by Mercer Mayer and December 16, "The Littlest Reindeer" by Brandi Dougherty. 

Cost: Free

Feliz Navidog
Dec. 6, 6-8 pm
Barney Wood Bark Park
Deck the paws with holiday cheer! Bring your fur babies to the most PAW-some Christmas party of the year! Give your pup a Holly Jolly Christmas with dog-friendly vendors, festive photo opportunities, pawliday treats, puppy mingling, So grab your leash and join us for a tail-wagging good time!

Cost: Free

A Christmas Carnival
Dec. 7,  5-9 pm
Farmers Branch Historical Park
Immerse yourself in a holiday wonderland as the Farmers Branch Historical Park transforms into A Christmas Carnival.  The park will come alive with the sights, sounds, and flavors of the holiday season at A Christmas Carnival at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. With holiday treats and eats, carnival rides, live entertainment including Stargazer, Lady Diamond, and local school shows on the Elf Stage; Dasher’s Silent Disco, roaming holiday characters, and of course everyone’s favorite - Santa! Don’t miss the finale with a holiday drone show and fireworks finale! Bring the whole family for an unforgettable evening of Christmas magic!

Cost: Free

Christmas Teas (sold out)
December 7 & 14, 10 am & 1 pm
Dodson House at Farmers Branch Historical Park
A long-standing, always sold-out event, Christmas Teas are a Historical Park tradition. Join us for an afternoon of live harp music, delectable treats, Christmas décor, and of course, tea. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. 

Cost: $40 per person; $30 per person for Friends of the Farmers Branch Historical Park.  

Santa Makes House Calls
Dec. 9 - 24, 6:30 - 9 pm
Farmers Branch
Create an unforgettable holiday memory this year with a personal visit from Santa himself! Imagine your little ones' faces lighting up as the jolly man in red walks through your front door with their special gifts. Available within five miles of the Farmers Branch Recreation Center, Santa makes a 15-minute magical visit to deliver gifts (provided in advance) personally to your home. Don't miss this chance to make this holiday season extra special!

Cost: Members, $30; Non-Members $34. Register in person at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center or call 972-247-4607. 

Sweet Holiday Story Time
Dec. 10, 6 pm
Manske Library
Experience a relaxing story time in your PJs while enjoying some cookies and juice.

Cost: Free

A Polar Express Pancakes & Pajamas
Dec. 14, 9-11 am
Farmers Branch Recreation Center
All aboard the Polar Express!  Bring your holiday spirit and your appetite, join us for a magical morning filled with holiday cheer at our annual Pancakes & Pajamas celebration. Wear your coziest PJs and join us for a festive breakfast experience your whole family will treasure with a delicious Pancake Breakfast while watching the Polar Express, a visit to the Santa Hut, special storytime with Mrs. Claus, and a holiday craft station. This enchanting morning promises to create wonderful memories for children and parents alike. Registration opens for residents Nov. 1. Non-residents registration opens Nov. 26.

Cost: Residents: $8 per person, Non-Residents: $12 per person.  Register in person at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center or call 972-247-4607. 

Santa & Cookies
Dec. 18,  5-7 pm
Manske Library
Enjoy fun activities, munch on some delicious cookies while you make a holiday craft, and meet the one and only Santa!

Cost: Free 

Christmas Exhibit Tours
Saturday, Dec. 7, 14, and 21 at Noon
Friday, Dec. 13 and 20, 6 pm and 7 pm (lantern-led)
Farmers Branch Historical Park

 

EVENT INFORMATION

WHAT:  Christmas in the Branch

WHEN:  Nov. 10 - Dec. 24, 2024

WHERE: Various locations throughout Farmers Branch 

ADMISSION:  Open to residents and the community, many events are free, but require reservations.

MORE INFO: https://www.farmersbranchtx.gov/1466/Christmas-in-the-Branch

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About Farmers Branch, Texas

The event is produced by the City of Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department in collaboration with the Farmers Branch Multicultural Task Force. Farmers Branch, Texas has earned its reputation for excellence. It's an oasis of small-town life in the heart of a big-city bustle. World-class arts, shopping, and great schools, plus a big-business boom and lower business tax rates are just a few of the features that make Farmers Branch the ideal place to live, work, and play. Visit farmersbranchtx.gov for more information about our events. 

 

Autumn Reo
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CASA of Tarrant County Hosts “Pinwheels Project” and “Coffee with CASA” in Arlington, Azle, Mid-cities/NRH, Fort Worth, and Southlake this April

Did you know that Tarrant County has the 3rd highest confirmed number of cases of abuse and neglect in Texas?  However, everyone can make a difference, no matter how big or small, during Child Abuse Prevention Month with CASA of Tarrant County.  CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Tarrant County is an organization of volunteer advocates who stand up on behalf of abused and neglected children because they want them to have a brighter future, more hopeful than their past. The organization is hosting multiple programs, Pinwheels Project and Coffee with CASA, to increase awareness and raise money to continue the support of abused and neglected children throughout Tarrant County specifically in Arlington, Azle, Bedford, Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, and Southlake.

PINWHEEL PROJECT

CASA of Tarrant County is working throughout April to raise awareness and share the important impact of local communities through its “Pinwheels Project.” Throughout April the community is invited to view several outdoor installations of the blue pinwheels, each signifying a child served by CASA of Tarrant County last year at notable locations throughout Tarrant County including: 

Arlington 

  • April 10-26: Levitt Pavilion, 100 W Abram St., Arlington, Texas 76010 

Azle 

  • April 1-30: Azle Lions Club,412 Commerce St, Azle, Texas 76020

  • April 1-30: Tater Club Learning Center, 340 W. Main St, Azle, Texas 76020 

  • April 1-30: Reata West Apartments,1133 Boyd Rd, Azle, Texas 76020

Fort Worth

  • April 8-12:  Southwest Fort Worth Library, 4001 Library Ln, Fort Worth, Texas 76109 

HEB-Midcities/North Richland Hills 

  • April 1-14: North Richland Hills Library,9015 Grand Ave, North Richland Hills, Texas 76180

  • April 1-30: Bedford YMCA, 2801 Forest Ridge Dr, Bedford, Texas 76021 

Southlake 

  • April 1-12: Southlake Town Square, 285 Grand Ave, Southlake, Texas 76092

COFFEE WITH CASA

In addition to its Pinwheel Project throughout DFW, CASA will host multiple “Coffee with CASA” and Information Sessions for the public throughout the month. At “Coffee with CASA,” meet members of CASA and learn more about the organization during the come-and-go experience. Those wanting to get more involved as a volunteer with CASA can attend one of the many convenient Information Sessions. 

Arlington

  • April 17: 8:30 am -10:00 am - Coffee with CASA at Inclusion Coffee, 101 E Abram St #110, Arlington, Texas 76010

Fort Worth  

  • April 9: noon - Information Session at the Southwest Fort Worth Library, 4001 Library Ln, Fort Worth, Texas 76109 

  • April 9: 8:30 am -10:30 am, Coffee with CASA at Love Local | Coffee + Art Shop, 4612 SW Loop 820, Fort Worth, Texas 76109

  • April 12: 8 am -10 am, Coffee with CASA at Casa Azul Coffee, 300 W Central Ave, Fort Worth, Texas 76164

H-E-B Midcities / North Richland Hills 

  • April 23: 12:30 pm - Information Session at the Bedford YMCA, 2801 Forest Ridge Dr, Bedford, Texas 76021 

Southlake 

  • April 3: 8:30 am -10:30 am, Coffee with CASA at Jane Southlake,1151 E Southlake Blvd #390, Southlake, Texas 76092

Friday, April 5 is also nationally recognized as “Go Blue Day,” so CASA asks to show your support for Child Abuse Prevention Month by wearing blue. #goblueday.

BECOME A CASA VOLUNTEER

Unfortunately there are so many more abused and neglected children in Tarrant County that still need assistance, but many more CASA volunteers are needed to make this happen. This April consider stepping up to make a difference by becoming a CASA volunteer. Training and support are provided to all volunteers. 

To learn more about these events, the services provided by CASA, or volunteering for CASA (volunteer child welfare advocate),visit SpeakUpForAChild.org.

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About CASA of Tarrant County

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Tarrant County is an organization of volunteer advocates who stand up on behalf of abused and neglected children because they want them to have a brighter future, more hopeful than their past. Tarrant County has the third-highest confirmed number of cases of abuse and neglect in Texas. From helping siblings find permanent placement together, to finding a child a stable home with a relative, to uncovering positive information that helps a loving family reunite, to something as simple but yet important to that child as ensuring that their shoes are not too tight for their feet, volunteer Advocates make incredible differences in the lives of children. Currently CASA of Tarrant County has more than 400 active volunteers who come from all walks of life, however, there are still about 500 kids each year who are left waiting for a CASA, because there aren’t enough volunteers to meet the demands of the child welfare system. Visit SpeakUpForAChild.org to learn more and sign up to make a difference in a child’s future.