The Dallas area and the month of May are loaded this year with all kinds of ways to taste, see, and experience the great outdoors. Here are a few upcoming ideas to include the perfect al fresco weekend with family and friends.
The City of Addison is going on 23 years with its Taste Addison event coming up this weekend May 19 to 21. A three-day menu of fun, Taste Addison delivers Addison’s favorite eateries with great music at Addison Circle Park. Known for 180 restaurants in less than 4.4 miles and its nationally recognized special events, Addison serves up a good time no matter the craving. On Friday, May 19, check out a performance by Dallas’ own Vanilla Ice. Headlining Taste Addison on Saturday night, May 20, is country artist Gary Allan with opening act Granger Smith. On Sunday, May 21, take your family on a trip down memory lane with classic hits from great tribute bands. Located in Addison Circle Park, tickets are $20 per person and children under are free. Sunday, May 21, is a free day for everyone.
The Grapevine Main Street Fest Craft Beer Experience is this weekend, May 19 to 21, and it is going on its 33rd year. There will be live entertainment, carnival rides, more than 75 craft beers from 36 breweries and a variety of wine, artisans, festival foods, and a kid zone.
The Taste of Irving is set for May 20 from noon to 6 p.m. with more than 20 restaurants selling samples of their dishes for $5 or less. Head on over to Irving’s Cimarron Park and the admission is free. There will also be cooking demos by local chefs, live music, a kid zone, and craft marketplace.
The Scarborough Renaissance Festival has begun from now until the end of the month, so dress yourself in a renaissance outfit and expect a true renaissance feel since the festival grounds are styled to look like a 16th-century English village. There are costumed revelers and nonstop performances, 24 stages, artisan demos, giant turkey legs and performers, rides, and games during the celebration. Everyone heads south toward Waxahachie during the month of May at some point for the best medieval celebration in the state.
May 21 is the DFW Dragon Boat, Kite and Lantern Festival. The event is free from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Dragon boat races, Asian folk dances, and performances at the Las Colinas Urban Center. The event is a landmark multicultural festival in the DFW area and draws around 20,000 people. Expect kite making as well as cultural performances along with traditional ethnic foods and gondola cruises.
The City of Ennis will hold its annual National Polka Festival in Downtown Ennis from May 26 to 28. So, bust out the kolaches, and if you don’t know how to dance you will learn. Going into its 51st year of Czech Heritage in the area, the festival kicks off with an opening dance Friday at 6:00 p.m. featuring polka music and the King and Queen Dance Contest. At 10:00 a.m. Saturday floats, bands and colorful costumes will kick-off the downtown festivities. Brave Combo will be playing at the festival as well as the Ennis Czech Boys, the Dujka Brothers and more. Admission to halls $9 to $13 with the other downtown events free.