Advertisement

arts entertainmentThings to Do

Five great fests this week: Reunion Lawn Party, Water Balloon Wars and more

{"type":"Event","title":"Reunion Lawn Party - Mavs Takeover","_id":261817,"html":"

Advertisement

","providerType":"guidelive","providerLink":"http://www.guidelive.com/oembed"}

News Roundups

Catch up on the day's news you need to know.

Or with:

Reunion Lawn Party

Even if the weather doesn't always act as if it knows, summer really is coming to an end. You might as well cool down at this monthly summer lawn party near the base of Reunion Tower one last time this season. The party offers music, food trucks, lawn games and a beer garden featuring craft beers from local breweries.  The Dallas Mavericks Dancers and Mavs ManiAACs will also be on hand.

Advertisement

Former WFAA morning show co-host Amy Vanderoef will once again emcee the event, with DJ music starting at 6:30 p.m. and musical performances by Chap Bernet at 7 and the Bird Dogs at 8:15. Admission is free; take cash for parking, food and drinks as well as for deposits for rented lawn games that include Frisbee, cornhole, bocce ball, hula hoops and ribbon streamers. August's food truck lineup is Ruthie's Rolling Cafe, Mad Grill, Flatlanders Taco Co., Jack's Chowhound, BellaTrino, Easy Slider and Best Bayou. Take a blanket to spread out on and watch the Reunion ball light up in the night sky.

{"type":"Event","title":"Deep Ellum Water Balloon Wars","_id":261259,"html":"

Advertisement

","providerType":"guidelive","providerLink":"http://www.guidelive.com/oembed"}

Deep Ellum Water Balloon Wars

Get wet and wild in the streets of Deep Ellum at this old-fashioned water balloon war for the 18-and-older set. Attractions include a 35-foot-long slip-and-slide, dunk tanks and a dumpster pool. If battling with balloons isn't your thing, take a lawn chair and sit in the sprinkler section (just imagine how good the people-watching will be). Grab food from Easy Slider, drinks from Trees and frozen goodies from Mr. Snowie. Cover band 2 Tone will perform classic rock with '80s, '90s and '00s music thrown in. Proceeds go toward suicide prevention and awareness efforts.

{"type":"Event","title":"Grand Prairie Dragon Boat Festival","_id":259269,"html":"

","providerType":"guidelive","providerLink":"http://www.guidelive.com/oembed"}

Grand Prairie Dragon Boat Festival

According to legend, dragon boats were originally created in China more than 2,000 years ago as a way of keeping water demons and evil spirits at bay. That's no longer their purpose, but over the years, dragon boat racing has become a competitive sport around the world. The monsoons of May pushed this second annual event, originally slated for June, all the way to August. While you can no longer register a team, you can spend a great day in the sun watching the boaters work in unison to the beat of a drum and enjoying the festivities, which will include food vendors, music, a beer garden, craft marketplace and more.

Advertisement

{"type":"Event","title":"Tulisoma: South Dallas Book Fair and Arts Festival","_id":262250,"html":"

","providerType":"guidelive","providerLink":"http://www.guidelive.com/oembed"}

Tulisoma: South Dallas Book Fair & Arts Festival

Celebrate the Southwest African-American experience through books and stories at this event that started back in 2003. Tulisoma, a Swahili word that translates as "we read," promotes literacy and the arts in the Fair Park area. The festival kicks off Friday with the Heart and Soul Tour of South Dallas sites and landmarks led by local historians and a performance by the Whispers and Stephanie Mills at the Majestic Theatre. On Saturday, events include a youth poetry slam, readings and lectures by authors, children's activities, writing workshops and more, as well as A Taste of Gospel, a concert featuring South Dallas choirs at Cornerstone Baptist Church.

Advertisement

{"type":"Event","title":"North Texas Fair and Rodeo","_id":260515,"html":"

","providerType":"guidelive","providerLink":"http://www.guidelive.com/oembed"}

North Texas Fair and Rodeo

As this ongoing annual nine-day fair and rodeo hits its final weekend, it offers horse and livestock shows, carnival rides, two concert stages, a youth art contest, a photography contest and more.

Advertisement

Concerts include performances by the Josh Abbott Band on Friday and the Charlie Daniels Band on Saturday. Rodeo events take place nightly at 7:30. For younger cowboys and girls, tractor pulls are at 6 p.m. in the kids' zone.