Always wanted to fly chinese lanterns, and the experience easily exceeded my expectations! We will…read morelook forward to repeating this adventure! Plenty of parking at the racetrack, and plenty of food, beer, and swag vendors to keep you busy if you go early. Games, chemical lights, corn-hole, and live music complete the scene! There are hundreds of fire-pits everywhere (kept safe in washtubs), so you can easily commandeet one for your group - or join another group to expand your fun! Make s'mores, warm up, then use the fire to help fill your lantern w hot air after you light the cardboard fuel-cell. It took us a couple of lanterns to master the light & launch process, so we were glad we bought extra lanterns. Similarly; the VIP upgrade was worth the $ to us. But no matter how you do it; you gotta try this! BTW; as soon as the flights start, they start suggesting that some cars exit the lot. Why rush? No matter when you drive away, you will wait briefly in the exit line. We hung out a bit longer, visiting with new friends!

So actually, this festival was originally started by the Chinese who celebrated the Lunar New Year…read more They celebrated the 15th day of the first full moon. But there are many beliefs and stories about the lantern festival. Some say in Chiang Mai is where the festival started. Who knows. Regardless, this event is purely magical. I didn't even know about an event like this until my friend suggested that we go as a group since they had gone in a previous year. The lanterns light up the sky and there's just so much emotion. So imagine this. There's 10,000+ people who come to this event to either experience an unforgettable event, to remember a loved one, letting go of the past and moving forward with the future, or to just experience a great event with spectacular friends. The Lantern Fest was was very organized from what I experienced. Advanced ticket buying, reminder emails, packaged boxes with s'mores (4 marshmallow, graham crackers, hershey's chocolate, wooden stick), a lighter, and last but not least, a lantern. I actually bought my ticket to the Lantern Festival for Dallas 6 months in advance. It starts off at $20 and on the day of the event, they raise up the prices, sometimes even sell out. I had no idea it was in other cities until recently I saw videos and photos occasionally pop up on my facebook newsfeed. I noticed that there are several events like this in different cities with a different name but essentially with the same purpose. The Dallas event had a singer from Houston and one from Alaska. There were games for children and even adults to win extra lanterns and souvenir items. My group went around 2pm to get a "good" spot and just picnic it out. When I say "good" spot, there really isn't a spot in particular. Cause honestly when everyone lets go of their lantern, it doesn't really matter because all you see is pure ....magic. haha I don't know how to explain it. They had food vendors as well. But you're more than welcome to bring a cooler with food and drinks. So story time.... I went to the Lantern Fest this past November 19th, 2016, and it was the perfect time that I had went. Also it was the first anniversary of my dad's passing. It was literally the perfect weekend. The moment I let go of my lantern, I literally started bawling my eyes out. And I felt at peace. Also, letting go of past regrets and anything of that sort. Purely magical. I even received an email that they're selling tickets for 2017. And it reminded me to write this review so that when I decide to go to the Dallas one next year, I can check in hahaha. So I'll link it. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-lantern-fest-dallas-3042017-tickets-29621971113?aff=cybermonday I'm so glad I brought my gopro to record this experience. I know memories last but it's nice to rewatch the experience. So if you're curious here's my video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqNTtim19Gc&feature=share

We were so looking forward to the Bluebonnet Festival in Ennis. We thought it'd be one big event…read moredue to all the advertising ..... but, it was little. Well, the trails were fabulous. We did see lots of beautiful Bluebonnets. It was prime viewing because they were close to peak. Those were beautiful. However, we were disappointed in the festival vendors. We expected lots of bluebonnet items to be on display from the vendors. There were very few. Now there were some nice photos but not a lot of bluebonnet gadgets. For that reason we were disappointed. Most of the vendors were those you'd see at any other festival any place in the US. The Visitor's Center was fabulous but we just expected more from the Festival.

Came here to see Texas Blubonnets. The trail is a little drive out from the festival. I would…read morerecommend going to their visiting center for directions to the Bluebonnets. Really pretty there and nice for photographs. Down fall, there are lots of people who visits and are there to take pictures so you'll notice the bluebonnets will not be in its best condition.

What a big suprise this was amazing ligjhts food shows loved every moment Can't wait to see…read morethe Christmas ones

Absolutely NOT worth it. I've gone twice--both times were a mistake. The line to get in is…read moreabsurd--we waited nearly 2 hours, stuck in a mess of oversold tickets and total chaos. The first time, our GPS said we were 1.4 miles from the entrance... that's how FAR back the line stretched not counting the winding roads after the entrance gate. Traffic management is nonexistent past the gate: no cones, no staff, just cars blocking intersections and nearly colliding in the dark. By the time you finally make it inside, you're shoulder-to-shoulder in a packed crowd, too stressed to enjoy the lights. Save your money and sanity. Go to a haunted house instead. At least the fear and stress there is intentional and a shorter wait time. I won't make the mistake of coming back ever in the future.

We had a great time at the farm! Most of the staff were very friendly and helpful... except one…read moreyoung lady. It was her first day working (I know bc she told me twice). I never caught her name but she had about 10+ ear piercings on her right ear. She was rude and condescending to me and I hope she gets training on customer service and guest relations. Some people are made for certain work positions and some are definitely not... she is the latter. If you can't be respectful to others then you definitely should not work with the public! There should definitely be more selection for water stations throughout the farm. I saw this one older woman with a walker having a real hard time trying to make it to the cantina for some water. She barely made it but needed to stop and rest multiple times since she came from the opposite side of the property. Value was pretty reasonable for what was offered. We will definitely be back.

Awesome experience! Lots to do- could stay all day with kids. Definitely do the hayride and take…read morea minute to visit the barn

This late summer/early fall festival happens in late September at Oak Point Park in Plano, TX…read more Yes, it has already happened this year, but save the date for next year- the dates for 2023 are September 21, 22, and 23. Other than watching hot air balloons, there is still plenty to do. You can find vendors at the fair, listen to concerts and performances, meet the pilots when they land, watch dancers, and enjoy the food court. Feel like running? Sign up for the 5k that happens on the Saturday morning of the fair. There is also a Kid's Fun Zone with games, rides, and art activities. Want to ride in a balloon? While you can't get full rides, you can do a tether ride for $25 (or $15 for kids). Depending on where you park, it's anywhere from $5 to $20.This year (2022)the parking attendants weren't accepting credit cards. and they have a lot of diversions they couldn't a lot of good parking. Tip: GO early for next year if you would like to enjoy it because of the traffic rules and diversion you will not be able to reach the place on time.

$10 ticket $15 parking - remote was closed…read moreEvent was over by 8:25 am Emcee prattled on for over an hour and reminded us 7 times why we should leave early because the ballooners need to leave to get on the road. Campus police did little to nothing to help w flow of traffic. Old guys standing behind their cars on Jupiter and not helping w traffic. Major safety issues Don't waste time on Sundays. Balloons we fun but crowd was very disappointed

Parking and tickets expensive, the food and beer very expensive with few options of something else…read moreto drink beside beer. The vendors in the vendor area were charging outrageous prices for what they were selling. Other than that there is really nothing to do but sit in a tent, drink a beer and sing German drinking songs. I have been to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany many times, so I knew what to expect. My friend who thought going to Oktoberfest would be fun actually said to me, "Is this it?" Yes my friend this is all you get.

We had a lot of fun. It was a genuine Oktoberfest. Always a fun time when we come to Fort Worth.read more

Let me start by saying that my family has been going to west fest for 20+ years…read more We used to love the little Czech fest that was. But sadly, it isn't that any more. In the last three years it has become more carnival with vendors coming from as far away as DFW. It has lost most of the foods I grew up expecting at a festival for Czech peoples. Now it's a generic carnival... sad to see

If you've ever driven down I-35E from Dallas to Austin (or visa versa) you've passed through the…read moresmall town of West, TX. If you needed gas or if you were tipped off about the Czech stop, you've actually parked somewhere inside West, TX. If you are part of the latter camp, you're a lucky bunch and know that there are no better kolaches around. If that's all you think that exists in West, TX... then you are sorely wrong. While it may not be much, the denizens of West, TX show off their Czech heritage in a big way with a weekend festival called Westfest. This festival, which sports volunteers in traditional Czech outfits, Polka music, dancing, and food. Now, before I make this seem like a huge and elaborate event... it is not. This is no Octoberfest in Addison, nor is it A Taste of Dallas. This is an old fashioned, small town Festival where you will see more mullets and inappropriate outfits that you would ever think you possibly could. So how could this be the pinnacle of awesome weekend fun? I'll tell you how. First, there is the arts and crafts. These are all local vendors, artisans and craftspeople, ready to show you their homemade wares in hopes of getting a sale or two. These range from custom popcorn, to salsa, to clothing, to hand carved furniture. All of these live under a huge tent, dancing dangerously close to the intoxicating nature of the flea market. There are also some artists there too, happy to do face painting or the occasional temporary tattoo. Bring about $40 to just blow on these things, because that's half the fun of going to these. Secondly, there are the events. You can't miss the antique tractor pull, regardless of how many of them you've already seen. I had never seen one before, and these machines are impressive. While we only stayed around for a couple pulls, there were people settling in for a whole day of tractor fun. There is also the main stage, the main hall, and cultural dancing floor. In the beginning of Saturday, there is the Miss Westfest competition, followed up by live music. Live music brings about dancing and singing and merriment. Lastly, there is the food. We have the general festival food, such as meats on a stick, chicken fingers, and Frito pies on steroids. (affectionately named the gutboat) There is also some really fantastic and unique items as well. The Skunk Egg (cheese, onions, jalapeños, and chicken deep fried in a ball) and the Czech Roll (an egg roll filled with cheese, sausage, sauerkraut and mustard) top the chart as items you have to have. Neither are particularly good for you, but what do you expect from something called a Skunk Egg? To wash all this down, you have lemonade, sodas, and beer... the perfect combination for the heat and grease. So no one piece of this festival is off the wall awesome, but it's the combination of it all that makes this the greatest small town celebration of being Czech and being Texan. Stay for the Tractor Pull, see who wins Miss Westfest, have a Skunk Egg, and buy something with that says Czech people rock. On your way out, stop at the Czech Stop and buy a couple dozen kolaches, regardless if it's out of your way. Then you'll have the complete West, TX experience, and you'll come back for more next year.