PARKER COUNTY BUCKET LIST

from Parker County LifeStyle Spring 2020

A CUT ABOVE

by Rick Mauch

We’ve all seen a Texas Bucket List that includes places to see and be seen across the state….here is our own local version! How many can YOU mark off your list:

There's a simple reason why Weatherford and Parker County is one of the fastest growing areas to be found. Folks come here for a visit, they love it, and they stay.

And the reasons they come to visit are plenty. Sure, it's a nice, peaceful commuwnity, despite the progress that brings in a new business almost daily it seems, with schools that offer some of the best education in the state.

But there is also a lot to simply enjoy in Weatherford and Parker County. From one of the best high school football teams in the nation at Aledo High School to top-notch community performances at Weatherford's Theatre Off The Square (TOTS) to numerous places to step back in time to staying in a haunted bed-andbreakfast, there's a little something for everyone.

So, whether it's a day, a week, or longer, there's plenty to do here. No need to be in a hurry. Come stay a bit - or permanently, if the mood strikes.

PARKER COUNTY SHERIFF'S POSSE FRONTIER DAYS AND RODEO

For five days each June Parker County comes alive with one of the most renowned local rodeos in the country. Not only does it feature competitors on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit, but the fun surrounding the rodeo is second to none.

Among the highlights are a street dance in the Weatherford Square the Saturday before and the annual rodeo parade. Those who want to rise early can join members of the Sheriff's posse for a chuckwagon breakfast, followed by a trail ride from Mineral Wells to Weatherford.

June 6 Trail ride, parade, street dance June 9-13 Rodeo and nightly concerts 2251 Mineral Wells Hwy., Weatherford 817-565-3950 www.pcsp.net

PARKER COUNTY PEACH FESTIVAL

Parker County is known for its peaches, and each July they are celebrated on a particular Saturday with a festival in their honor on and around the Weatherford Square. Vendors of all sorts will be on hand with their wares, and come hungry because there is more food - all peach-flavored in some variety - than you can throw a peach at. The weekend also includes the Peach Pedal bike ride and a 42 dominoes tournament.

July 11 Weatherford Square 817-596-3801, Weatherford Chamber of Commerce www.parkercountypeachfestival.org

FIRST MONDAY TRADE DAYS

Love looking for a bargain and wanting to spend some quality walking time? Weatherford has just what you are looking for with one of oldest open-air markets in the state.

The weekend before the first Monday of each month, vendors fill the area on Santa Fe Drive with all sorts of items ranging from clothing to food and a plethora in between. Need a lawnmower or a refrigerator? You can find those and a lot more. 317 Santa Fe Dr., Weatherford 817-598-4359 www.ci.weatherford.tx.us/883/First-Monday-Trade-Days Free admission

VINTAGE CAR MUSEUM/MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAS/DOSS HERITAGE AND CULTURAL CENTER

One can take in an entire day - or more - of culture, history, and see some cool classic vehicles in Weatherford.

The Vintage Car Museum offers visitors exactly what the name says. Many of the vehicles in the collection have a unique story behind them, including a 1964 Lincoln Continental convertible owned by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

The Museum of the Americas presents the colorful and diverse heritage of native Americans through a collection of artifacts, crafts, and folk art from the late 19th and 20th centuries.

The Doss Center is a Texas and Parker County history museum, featuring exhibits of early settlements in Texas, cattle drives, and native American life in Parker County. They also feature highlights of legends from the area, such as Mary Martin, the original Peter Pan, and her son Larry Hagman, who played the iconic character J.R. on the TV show "Dallas."

Vintage Car Museum 100 Fort Worth Hwy., Weatherford 817-550-6550 www.vintageweatherford.com Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free admission

Museum of the Americas 216 Fort Worth Hwy., Weatherford 817-341-8668 www.museumoftheamericas.com/ Hours: Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission

Doss Heritage and Cultural Center 1400 Texas Dr., Weatherford 817-599-6168 www.dosscenter.org Hours: Tuesday–Wednesday/Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Free admission, but a guided tour is $3 and must be scheduled in advance.

CLARK GARDENS

Clark Gardens offers a variety of beauty highlighting horticulture and nature. From botanic gardens to white swans and blue herons, the beauty of nature takes the spotlight. Also, be sure and check out the g-scale model trains that run Labor Day through Thanksgiving weekend and the first weekend in March through July 4 weekend. Clark Gardens 567 Maddux Rd., Weatherford 940-682-4856 www.clarkgardens.org

Hours: Open season March 1-July 5 and Sept. 4-Nov. 29, Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 6-Sept. 3 by appointment only.

GREENWOOD CEMETERY

One of the oldest cemeteries in Parker County and the state, it was once known as "The Burial Grounds" and has been around for about a century and a half, with the oldest grave dated 1859. The cemetery also has soldiers buried from the War for Texas Independence, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, both World Wars, Korea and Vietnam.

Famous people buried there include Oliver Loving and Bose Ikard of the Goodnight-Loving Trail, Douglas Chandor, Mary Martin, and Governor Samuel T. Lanham, the last Civil War veteran elected as a Texas Governor. 400 E. Water St., Weatherford www.ci.weatherford.tx.us/471/City-Greenwood-Cemetery

CAPERNAUM STUDIOS

For a unique religious experience, take a drive north of Weatherford to the small town of Poolville. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities and experiences at various times of the year, including the Passover, Crimson, Apocolypse, and the Star of Bethlehem.

Capernaum has also been the site of several movie location filmings. And who knows, perhaps you'll find yourself cast in one of the experiences if you want to audition. 10700 FM 920, Poolville 800-489-1950 www.capernaumvillage.com Passover Experience, April 3-4, 10-11

THE MALT SHOP

Since opening in June of 1958, the pink building on Fort Worth Highway has become iconic and historic - along with being known as a place to get some delicious food - but not fast food.

Food preparation begins when an order is taken and never before. Sure, cars line up at the drive-thru sometimes, but it's always worth the wait.

Of course, they are best known for their malts and shakes. And when it's Peach Festival time, a peachflavored shake is a must. 2028 Fort Worth Highway 817-594-2524 Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

BRAZOS RIVER CATFISH CAFE

The restaurant on the banks of the Brazos River has a long history. It was open from the 1940s through the mid1960s, and then reopened in 1999 by James and Sandra Griffin. Now, folks come from all over for delicious food such as Cajun crawdads, fried frog legs, fried oysters,

grilled shrimp, grilled pork chops, chicken fried steak, gator tail - and of course, their famous catfish. For desert, try one of their delicious pies, with proceeds going to a memorial for their late son, Austin.

The inside of the restaurant features lots of nostalgic memorabilia. Outside, the atmosphere includes an oldfashioned metal bridge. There's also a campground for those who want to stay and come back a second day. 10771 Interstate 20, Millsap 817-596-2994 www.brazosrivercatfishcafetx.com Hours: Thursday-Saturday 5-9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

PIZZA PLACE

The famous restaurant started in Stephenville in 1968 and was the birthplace of Mr. Gatti's. It became legendary in Weatherford, however, where it opened in 1975. Late owner Roger Grizzard (who passed away last year in automobile accident) was often seen back in the kitchen, ready to make any specialty pizza a customer wanted, and that tradition continues today.

All hamburger meat and sausage is cooked at the restaurant and everything is made from scratch, including crust, sauces and toppings.

Along with the great food, the Pizza Place is one of the community's most popular hangouts for youths and adults alike. From an after-game celebration to an informal business meeting, folks often find themselves there.

They also deliver, but then you'd miss the special atmosphere. 1218 S. Main St., Weatherford 817-594-0591 www.rogerspizzaplace.com Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., `Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.