4 minute read
First Monday Trade Days, Fannin County Barn Quilt Trail, Pigeon Musical, Dino- saurs Live, Stargazing, Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend
Check the County Line eMagazine for extensive list of events and things to do. www.countylinemagazine.com
Shop World’s Largest Flea Market
First Monday Trade Days in Canton takes place the weekend prior to the first Monday of each month. This time of the year those dates are December 29 through January 1 and February 2 through 5. The market hosts more than 5,000 vendors selling a wide variety of items including antiques and collectibles, furniture and home decor, arts and crafts, jewelry and vintage clothing, plants, yard art, and so much more. The vendors are open from sun up until sun down, rain or shine.
There are ample places to grab a bite to eat on the First Monday grounds and nearby restaurants. For more information, visit www.firstmondaycanton.com or call (903) 5676556.
Dallas Children’s Theater presents Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus: The Musical based on the book by Mo Willems from January 28 through February 23 at Rosewood Center.
The Pigeon is having a bit of an identity crisis — he never gets to do anything, and people just want him to “fly off.” Everything changes when the confident, cool Bus Driver rolls into town, and the Pigeon finds himself with a brand new goal: drive the bus. Learn more on www.dct.org.
Get Nostalgic on Fannin County’s Barn Quilt Trail
Established in 2012 with more than 100 squares and counting, the Fannin County Barn Quilt Trail is the largest of its kind in the country. Images that look like quilt patterns are painted on wood or metal squares and displayed in Bonham and throughout the county countryside.
The Bonham Visitor Information Center provides a printed map for a self-guided tour. Contact them at (903) 583-9830 and learn more on www.visitbonham. com.
See Dinosaurs Live!
Through February 20 visitors to Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney can let their imagination run wild as they travel back in time along a half-mile nature trail with 11 life-size animatronic dinosaurs. The exhibit also offers interesting facts about both herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs. Children and the young at heart will also have the opportunity to play on stationary baby dinosaurs, a photoop Tyrannosaurus Rex and a photo op Pachyrhinosaurus. Get more information on www.heard-
museum.org. Photo by StePhAnie JenninGS
During the clear, crisp nights of winter, there is no better time to bundle up and head outdoors to take in the spectacular star-dotted skies of the Upper East Side of Texas.
Because the atmosphere during colder weather is usually calm, the stars at night appear even brighter than normally seen during the more turbulent summer.
While stargazing in just about any rural backyard is a prime seat, those who enjoy exploring the night sky with seasoned astronomers have a few choices.
One group of devoted star gazers is the Astronomical Society of East Texas (ASET). They regularly hold free activities including family-friendly star gazing parties around the region. Find their schedule and learn more about them on www.asetexas.com.
The Center for Earth and Space Science Education (CESSE) at Tyler Junior College features monthly Star Party Saturdays on February 4, March 4, and April 1. Guests can join their experts at telescopes for viewing and find astronomy buffs to help them navigate their way through the starry night. The CESSE planetarium also has sky talks during the events. Admission requires adanced online reservations through their website.
Events Honor Martin Luther King Jr.
Special events honoring civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. are planned for Saturday, January 14 and on the official federal holiday Monday, January 16. Born on January 15, 1929, King sacrificed his life for justice, human rights, and dignity, and stood for love, compassion, non-violent change, and freedom for all.
A march is planned in downtown Sherman on Saturday.
Dallas is holding a week’s worth of events culminating with an annual scholarship and awards gala. Other towns that traditionally hold MLK events include Tyler, Longview, Nacogdoches, Marshall, Mineola, Gladewater, Kilgore, Crockett, Palestine, Winnsboro, and Jacksonville.
Contact city offices for details for these towns and others throughout the Upper East Side of Texas.
Those wanting to honor King and his message of peace for humanity from home can tune in to numerous online events including the Day of Humanity Zoom taking place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Find notifications on their Facebook page.
