This was an awesome experience!!! My children enjoyed our evening here. The cocktails were fun, and…read morethe staff was excellent.

As far as Halloween activities for the family, this place falls second only to YesterLand Farms…read more It was our first year visiting and honestly we went in with no clue on what to expect. We were unprepared. We waited in our car in line for almost three ours to get to the starting point. Three hours! We were out of snack within 20 minutes and we hadn't had dinner yet so I was really about to lose it. Also we were almost on E. If you have a car you can deck out in Halloween go for it. Most ppl here had lights and music and even inflatables in their cars. That part was a little entertaining to see the passing cars how they go all out, I mean all out!! Okay now to what this is. This is basically a campsite park. And the people that are staying there decorate their sites. But this isn't just some twinkly lights and spider web, nooooooo. These people are creative. Some even come up to scare the people in the cars oh it is so fun. I love to see their individual styles come together in such a fun way. The drive through the displays doesn't take very long. Actually it's pretty quick. The majority of your time there will be in line waiting to get to the campsite areas. So gas up, take plenty of things to entertain your kids in the car.. take snacks maybe a meal. I'd take wipes bc there's mostly port- a potties . Once you get in, there is a restroom but I heard that's way more scary than the Halloween stuff.. yikes! The website did say not trailers with the hayride seats but I did see people loaded up in the beds of pickup trucks, the trailers with ppl on hay bales, even golf carts many golf carts.

If you love fun photo ops, you should definitely visit Rainbow Vomit!! We spent over an hour…read moreexploring and posing and laughing!

Super fun experience! Definitely worth the visit. The host we had was awesome too and very helpful…read more Don't leave until you find the SECRET!

Sunny South Music Fest Community Event-- South Dallas Cultural Center…read more This was a beautiful Community event put together by Sunny South Dallas Food Park @sunnysouthdallasfoodpark . There were food trucks, live music from local artists (@qiyahabdul did her thingI am now a fan!!), Local Black Business Vendors, live drumming workshop, black art exhibit for the Echoes of Black Sound and No Walls Between Us an exhibit showcasing artists who traveled to Africa to explore connection and culture. It was HOT But, it was a great turnout! I'm glad I got to make it out!! I enjoyed myself!!! SDCC focuses on the African Diaspora, utilizing its space for community empowerment through art, music and education. #SouthDallas #CulturalCenter #LiveMusic #Artwork #CommunityEvent

I went to an amazing event hosted by the founder of BLVCK SHE3P. The event their, really had hit,…read moreclose to my heart, in more ways than one. A lot of inspirational speakers, that had spoke and gave great advice at the event. The cultural center, itself is beautiful and so much positive energy is feeled throughout the whole building itself.

This annual event has been going on for 17 years now and you can definitely tell. There were plenty…read moreof food vendors, handmade knickknacks, trendy Asian stuff, apparel, drinks and a lot more for sale. They had dancing and performances on a stage and seating available for you to sit and eat your food. It is located at the Asian Times Square plaza so there was plenty of parking and other things to do if you don't want to partake solely in the festival. This was a pleasant surprise but if you're not ready to be in a large and loud crowd then steer clear because it was absolutely packed. Highly recommend if you are looking for a fun and free event to attend over the weekend. :)

There are lots of events that take place here and it usually provides a great grown up space to…read morehave a good night. From music to poetry to plays you can get a little bit of everything here. Mr. Curtis King, the founder of TBAAL, is personable and usually allows a Q&A after the performances. There are multiple stages at TBAAL - from the main stage - to the more intimate Clarence Muse Theater, however I don't think I've ever had a bad seat. I highly recommend a membership - it helps support TBAAL as well gives you extra little perks (discounted tickets, early entrance, etc). However note that there is NO FREE parking at TBAAL. There are paid parking lots across the street.

Excellent place to come take in our culture. I've lived in Dallas my entire life and never once…read morestopped inside the building. It's remarkable. Parking is somewhat difficult, but it's downtown so you already expected that. Great to throw events, watching films, or take in art inspired by the culture. Highly recommend!

I have seen countless great shows at the Granada through the years. Heck I remember seeing movies…read morehere when I was a kid (saw a 3D movie with the glasses - maybe some kind of creature from the black lagoon or something - yeah I'm old!). Sound is always good. I like the staggered standing levels. If you want to get into the action up front you can do it but I prefer to be in the second level which is close but I don't have to worry about a mosh pit or anything. A few different bars - lobby or just inside the theater to keep you hydrated. Parking can be easy on Greenville in certain places if you know where to look although as new restaurants are opening nearby I'm gonna lose my go-to parking. Love that the CD World owner bought this place years ago and made it such a great venue. Also love that it's in my hood.

Went to my first show at the Granada last night, general admission. The lobby bar works, but a lot…read moreof updating is needed. Looks like the theater pulls in decent performances and I will definitely come back. There are plenty of surrounding bars and restaurants as well- but the parking lot filled up quick and people were driving around for a while searching for spots. I suggest showing up at least 45 minutes before a big show.

I've gone to TFW for a number of years and have made friends with people all over the country…read morebecause of it. To the point that the main reason I keep coming back is that it's become more a reunion of friends vs coming for autographs/shopping. Though of course they have amazing vendors every year that I tend to get gifts for friends and family's birthdays or way early Christmas shopping when there. A few tips for newer people coming, go ahead and spring for the weekend pass if you can. Friday is the best day for autographs. If there is a must get autograph, go get in those peoples lines first because some can take a long time. Saturday is usually the busiest day and Sunday usually the most chill. The snack bars and coffee shop are the most reasonable priced food options but I usually just bring my own water & have some of my own snacks in my bag ... then eat when I've left or on my way in as I live close enough to come & go. Bring cash, because most if not all of the guests that you would get autographs from only take cash. Vendors take card though so if your not big on getting autographs then cards can be used! Get the cash from your banks ATM before you arrive. That should be a habit of anyone going to a convention, don't depend on the ones there. ATM's on site have run out quickly in the past, like they have at other major conventions, and the company doesn't come out to refill it as quickly as could be needed. Then that way if there was an issue your bank is able to help you because it's your banks ATM malfunctioned vs a 3rd party ATM. (Which all the convention or hotel can do is give you the contact info for the ATM company because it's their machine that malfunction. Also Have fun, meet some of the fellow fans & people watch!

I am in my late 40s and have been a horror fan and somewhat connected to the industry for a long…read moretime. I have been going to horror conventions since the 90s. Fangoria Weekend of Horrors, Monsterpalooza,Midsummer. Etc. This year was my first time at Texas Frightmare. All in all it was a good time (except for day 2 but I'll go into that in a bit). I had purchased a 3 day pass with souvenir tshirt. Friday I got there really early, met up with my industry friend from Hollywood, got my wristband and killed some time until the event opened up. Throughout the 3 day event I managed to score a few autographs for both me and a friend of mine from SoCal that couldn't make it...as well as a bunch of blu rays, books and art. And I caught some really good panels and screenings as well as getting my picture taken with many people. The people that run the event are friendly and seem to know what they're doing. The vendors in the merch room are good. But there are a couple of big issues. One is the parking. On Friday I arrived shortly after 11 and managed to park in Terminal C which is the event. Saturday I arrived a bit late...around 12 noon and was detoured to terminal B and was told I had to take a shuttle to terminal C. The line for the small shuttle was massive and folks in the line had clocked it at being over an hour long. I decided to leave Sunday I got there much earlier and lucked out by snagging the last parking spot on the roof of terminal C. I felt bad for the row of cars behind me. The fix for this problem would be to move to a venue outside of DFW since parking lots are shared with airport traffic. You don't run into parking problems at other horror cons. Now I get why they have it there. Because it's convenient for out of towners. But Monsterpalooza is in Pasadena nowhere near an airport and yet still attracts people from all over the country and world. My next issue them mixing autograph booths with merch booths. It makes it hard to enjoy shopping at booths when you're bumping into people who are in a massive line waiting for signings so close to where merch is sold. Monsterpalooza has most autograph oops on the outside of the vendor room to leave room for the vendors. Also a bigger volume of vendors would be nice. I know many local horror shops that couldn't set up because there wasn't anything available. Monsterpalooza and Midsummer both have more vendors. Then my final critique is the screening room in the maverick hall. To put such a great documentary Beset by Demons in that room, on such a tiny screen with crappy sound was insulting. I have a bigger portable screen and higher quality projector I use in my backyard for my backyard parties. I felt bad for Mr. Henkel. But the crazier part is that I messaged Frightmare on FB offering constructive feedback and they flat out shot me down. In my industry I work closely with businesses to help them grow in a sustainable way and part of that is them being open to candid feedback from their customers and patrons. It took me by surprise they they would be against feedback. There is always going to be 'went wells' and 'better next times'. I remember giving Tony Timpone feedback on one of their last Fangoria Weekend of Horrors and he thanked me for it. We're still friends to this day because feedback is not out of meanness but out of wanting them to do better and better. I want Frightmare to continue to be successful. And if they listened to their patrons they would be.

The annual St Patrick parade down Greenville Ave in Dallas is pretty close to being the Dallas…read moreversion of Mardi Gras. There are floats and street performers tossing goodies and beads to the crowd. There are lots of Dallas tailgating which I've never seen in N'awlins. Lot's wake to the sun with a drink or 4 in their hands. Thus by parade time, it is a lively noisy crowd! It is very successful as it grows each year and I haven't seen a real snake on Greenville in YEARS! This year's Grand Marshall was Burton Gilliam, a true Dallas Legend (If you don't know him, you probably have seen him on TV more than once. Amazing man and worth the Google search of the day.). (Plus he had a key role in one of my all time favorite movies!) There were and always are lots of fun floats for the kids as well as some for the adults. Not giant ones like the Rose Parade or the Krewes of New Orleans. This year was no exception. There were lots of options to meet the partying neighbors in the parking lots. Of course my drunken neighbor dancing in only a speedo on the top of a cooler had more beads tossed his way than anyone else, I am certain! My haul of beads, koozies, tortillas, Maverick basketballs, cards waiving the cover charge at gentlemen clubs, cards carrying invites to churches, cards asking me to vote for specific politicians, pizza slices (yes, thank you i fratelli's Pizza), and bags of peanuts from the Radha Kalachandji Hare Krishna Temple was HUGE this year! I do mean YUGE! Take that, Krewe of Rex! I do get there early each year and try to snag a potta potti for the party hearty crowd. The local fast food and coffee joints make a killing, and their restrooms do get killed as well. One $80 payment from a man, 100 thankful bladders for mankind. (And a lot of saved steps for mankind as well.) Come find me next year and we'll have a blast driving the snakes off Greenville!

Oh, everyone's favorite festive green event is back in the DFW!! We missed you during the 'rona…read more That's right....leprechaun parade fun for everyone! One tip for this one would be to do your research and please ARRIVE way early. Or, opt out of driving (for good reason) and take a DART rail or Uber. Streets will start closing down early in the morning and everyone likes to get out there (I'd say no later than 10 AM) to grab a spot right along the parade route on Greenville. The parade itself lasts a few hours and then everyone makes the trek down to the lowest part of Greenville for more festive fun. If you are bringing your family skip the later events because it can and will get out of control rowdy. Your best bet is to run the 5k (if you enjoy that kind of thing), hit up the parade then skedaddle elsewhere for food. The parade is something that is not to be missed though, kids will love the bead throwing from the floats and all of the music. It's a hooplah of a good time! Mark your calendars, enjoy, and be safe!