Christmas Events

Electricritters
at River Bend Nature Center, 2200 3rd Street. On Fridays and Saturdays from Nov. 20 - Dec 19 from 6-8pm. Admission is $4.  For more information call 940-767-0843.
 
Kell House Museum - http://www.wichitaheritage.org/kellhouse.html 900 Bluff Street Wichita Falls, Texas 76301-  (940)723-2712

• Santa House 2009  - Tuesday, December 1, 2009- Friday, December 11, 2009 from 9am to 12:30pm.  Friday evenings 6-8pm.  Saturday 10am-3pm.  Sunday 1pm-3pm.  $3, 2 and under are free.
• Candlelight tours - Saturday, December 19, 2009 6-8pm.  $5 adults, $4 seniors, military, and $1 kids.

Santa's Mailbox  http://www.cwftx.net/index.aspx?NID=1023

Children can mail their letters to Santa in the colorful mailbox located next to the flagpole at the MSU Fantasy of Lights. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your letter to Santa, and he will answer your letter as soon as he can.

Ages: Children
Fee: FREE!!
When: November 23 - December 18
Where: MSU Fantasy of Lights
at 3400 Taft

Christmas in Scotland Park
http://www.cwftx.net/index.aspx?NID=1026

Free Holiday Fun for Everyone!!
Saturday, December 5, 2009, 1-3pm at Scotland Park
Santa's Great Candy Cane Scramble for ages 2 - 2nd grade, at 1:00 p.m. sharp. Candy canes will be scattered over a designated area in Scotland Park Softball Field. Over 10,000 Candy Canes!
See Santa arrive at 12:50 sharp!
Activities For The Entire Family
Talk with Santa indoors at the Scotland Park Gym.
Take Train Rides, Do Arts & Crafts indoors at the Scotland Park Gym.  FREE Carnival Games
In case of inclement weather, call 761-7495, press 3. Rain Date: December 12, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. for Candy Cane Scramble only at Scotland Park.

* Let me know of other events for Christmas and I will add it to this post (if you get the posts via email, you'll have to go to the website to find updates.

Christmas Shopping

Christmas Magic http://www.jlwf.org/?nd=christmas_magic&und=30


Vendors from all over the country with unique gift ideas. At the MPEC Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall, 1000 5th Street. Jr. League 940-692-9797

Friday, November 6, 2009 9am-7pm
Saturday, November 7, 2009 9am-7pm
Sunday November 8, 2009 12pm-5pm

Tickets: $5 advance purchase, $6 at the door, $10 pass good for all 3 days of Market!

Market Tickets available at all Union Square Federal Credit Union locations, Harvest Drug & Gift, Harvest Boutique, United Market Street, Finishing Touch and the Junior League Office.

Hangar Holiday Bazaar

Show dates: Nov 15 9am-6pm and Nov 16 12pm-5pm

Arts and Crafts, 220+ Vendors! Pictures with Santa. Free Admission! Event open to public. Held at Sheppard Air Force Base. Enter through Missile Rd. gate, Hangar 1045. For more information visit http://www.hangarholiday.org/

Wichita Falls Halloween Events

Riverbend Nature Center - Not-So-Scary Nature Night - Oct 24 - 6-9pm - 2200 3rd Street. Call 940-767-0843 for more information.  (Their website is currently under construction).  River Bend Nature Center is again hosting their not-so-scary halloween party this year on october 24th from 6 to 9 pm. it’s free for river bend members! otherwise it’s $4 for adults and kids in costume get in for only $1 with paid adult! we’ll have popcorn, hot dogs and s’mores of course! There will be a costume contest, face painting and cool games and crafts! we’ll also have the pumpkin patch and the scarecrow squareoff, along with storytelling! so dress up in your costume and come on out to not-so-scary on october 24th at river bend nature center from 6 to 9 pm and join in on all the fun! River Bend is located at 2200 3rd St. near the main entrance to Lucy Park.  Contact: Mindy Owen (940) 767-0843 ext 201

Kell House Museum -A Haunted Kell House.  Oct 31 - Victorian Halloween and haunted tours.  Please call for more information 940-723-2712 http://www.wichita-heritage.org/Tours%20Events.htm

WICHITA FALLS YMCA HOSTS http://www.ymcawf.org/ PUMKIN PEDAL FAMILY BIKE RIDE
Come join us for a fun family bike ride through the Family YMCA neighborhood!
Saturday, October 31st  10:00-11:00 A.M. Bill Bartley Branch Family YMCA  5001 Bartley Dr.
Wear your costume! Lots of healthy treats! FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
For more information about this event, contact Jessica Walker at 940-761-1000



A Lucy Park Halloween http://www.cwftx.net/index.aspx?NID=1121

An Event For All Ages!!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
5:00 - 8:00 PM

FREE!! Costume Parade & Contest
All ages, groups or individuals. Registration will be from 4:30 - 5:00 p.m. at the Lucy Park Log Cabin. Parade & judging begins at 5:00 pm and there will be thirteen awards presented. (Groups constitute on entry).

FREE!! Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Decorating - Not Carving. For age 10 and under - boys and girls. Decorating, judging and awards from 6:00 - 6:45 pm. there will be a limited number of participants, so first come, first served.

General Activities:
All ages from 5:00 - 8:00 pm.

Some activities are FREE, others will require tickets. Moonwalk, McGruff, Face Painting, Balloon Sculptures, Pinata Break (ages 10 & under), and Cake Walk (every 1/2 hour, beginning at 6:00 pm)

Carnival Games:
Tickets required for participation. Tickets may be purchased at the event.
Basketball Toss, Ball Bingo Game, Ring Toss, Goblet Game, Balloon Dart, 7/11 Game, Chip Toss, Milk Bottle Game, Ball Bingo Game and Clinko.

Food and Drink concession will be available.

*If you know of other events happening in the area, please send me a comment and let me know!

Ft Sill Oktoberfest

Ft Sill Oktoberfest and carnival on Polo Field Oct. 9 & 10

Mark your calendars for the Oktoberfest and a carnival Oct. 9 through 10. On Friday, Oct. 9, gates will be open from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m., with the keg-tapping scheduled at 6 p.m. in the main fest tent. The Oktoberfest and Carnival will continue on Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. The Oktoberfest is open to the public and admission is free. There is a fee for carnival rides, food and beverage. Activities on Friday and Saturday include amusement rides, a pumpkin patch, games, face painting, Cuddly Critters Petting Zoo, inflatables and much more! Come out and experience a huge variety of games, music, German cuisine and beverage.

Cheer and Dance Camps

Looks like the local high schools are trying to raise some money by hosting cheer and dance camps.  Here's the info that I have:

Coyote "KIDS" Cheer Camp - The kids camp will be October 16th at Memorial Stadium at 4:45! Students in Kindergarten through 5th grade are welcome to come!

They will stretch and learn a cheer from the Varsity Cheerleaders!

Eat a small meal and take a picture with the Coyote Cheerleaders!

Run through the Coyote head after the Coyote Football Players.

Then the students will sit in the stands with the Coyote Dance Team until it is time for their half time performance.

The students will perform with the Coyote Cheerleaders at half time.

The students will also get a t-shirt to wear during the performance!  Questions, please call Steffanie at 940-235-1084

Rider Raiderette Dance Camp - For Girls K-6th Grade, Saturday, Oct 17, 9-12 in the Rider Gym.  Performance:  Friday, Oct 23 Rider Football Game.  Fee of $25 includes a t-shirt and pom poms.  They will perform a dance before the game starts and perform stand routines during the first two quarters and need to be picked up by their parents before halftime.  Questions, please call Lynn at 940-692-9335

YMCA Youth Basketball

For ages 5-14 years old.  Call 322-7816 to register between Sept 16 and Oct 5, 2009.  Season begins 1st week of December - games will be played on Friday nights and all day Saturdays.  For more information go to http://www.quickscores.com/.  Fees:  Members $30, Non-Members $45

Mother's Day Out (MDO) / Parents Day Out Programs

These are Mothers Day Out or Parents Day Out programs that I am aware of in Wichita Falls.  Please let me know of others that you are aware of!  Please check them out for yourself.

Floral Heights UMC - Tu/Th 9am-3pm - (940) 723-7151 - 2214 Tenth Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76309

Faith Lutheran Church - Tu/Th 7:30am-5pm - $3 per hour - ages 6 weeks to Kindergarten - 940-766-1009 - 1437 Southwest Parkway Wichita Falls, Texas 76302 -

Faith Baptist Church - Th - 9:30am-2:30pm - $60/month - 6 weeks through 4 years old - 940-692-4220 - 3001 Southwest Parkway Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 -

First Christian Wichita Falls - offers both hourly ($3.15per hour - 2 hour minimum - $25 enrollment fee) and full time care for ages 3 months to 5 years - (940) 687-2231 - 3701 Taft Blvd. Wichita Falls, Texas 76308

Sacred Heart Catholic Church - preschool for children ages 1-5. We will have early care and extended care this year. Our hours will be 8-5. "Preschool Time" is 9-12. The cost is $3 per hour. If you are interested please email Brandy Gentry at bgentry@sacredheartwf.org.

Colonial Church - Our programs runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from September to May. We are open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Children must be 1 year old by September 1 to register.

Football Punt, Pass & Kick Competition

The City of Wichita Falls Parks & Recre­ation Department will host a local NFL Punt, Pass & Kick Competition Sept. 27, at Memorial Stadium.

Registration will start at 1:30 p.m. and end promptly at 2 p.m. The competition will begin at 2 p. m. Participants should enter the west side of the stadium and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Each participant will also need a copy of their birth certificate to participate. Age is determined as of December 31 of the current year. First place winners in each age division will be eligible to advance to the sectional competition in Abilene. Age divisions include girls and boys in the follow­ing groups: 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15.

For more information, please call the Rec­reation Department at 761-7490

Burkburnett Friendship Festival

The Ninth Annual Friendship Festival will fill Friendship Park with music, games, and booths featuring everything from arts and crafts and jewelry to food such as turkey legs and cotton candy. The festival is scheduled for Oct. 3 and will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.


The day’s events will begin with a fun walk/run event. The one-mile walk will begin at 7 a.m., with the 5K run starting at 7:30 a.m. All proceeds from the run will benefit the Burkburnett Cross Country Booster Club.

There will be musical entertainment in the amphitheater throughout the day. A free car seat check sponsored by United Regional will be held in the parking lot next to the baseball fields from 10-12.

The children’s area in Permian Park adjacent to Friendship Park will feature inflatables with all-day play for $5. Burkburnett Middle School and high school students will also compete in the annual mud volleyball tournament.

The Community Center will host a quilt show as a way to celebrate local quilt artists. There will be over one hundred quilts on display, and local quilts are invited to enter. The special guest for this year’s event is celebrity quilt artist Ricky Tims, who will be signing his book.

A special opportunity quilt will be given away and the money raised will be donated to Burkburnett Meals on Wheels. Entry fee to the event is $1 or two canned food items to be donated to Grace Ministries of Burkburnett.


http://www.yourehomenow.org/commdev/default.aspx
 
http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2009/sep/16/friendship-festival-coming-in-october/

Clay County Pioneer Reunion

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out the Clay County Pioneer Reunion in Henrietta, Texas (just 20 minutes from Wichita Falls). The schedule is listed below, but you can check out their website at http://www.claycountypioneerreunion.com/ if you need more information.

Thursday, 9/17
4:00 PM-KICKOFF COWBOY PARADE
5:30pm-J.T. & HELEN LYLES' MEMORIAL RODEO QUEEN DINNER
7:00pm-Presentation of CLAY COUNTY PIONEER ASSOCIATION PIONEER QUEEN AND DUCHESSES in the Tex Rickard Memorial Arena Prior to TCRA SANCTIONED RODEO

Friday. 9/18
9am - 3pm-Registration of Pioneers in Courthouse.
10:00 a.m.-LOAT PARADE
11:00 a.m.-ROG & TERRAPIN RACES, north side of Courthouse, Pam Roberson, Chairman
11:30 a.m.-Barbeque lunch honoring ALL REGISTERED CLAY COUNTY PIONEERS at VFW Building
1:00 p.m.-Special entertainment on the Courthouse Lawn
7:00 p.m.-CLAY COUNTY RODEO QUEEN and JUNIOR QUEEN crowned. GRAND ENTRY afterwards also in the arena. TCRA SANCTIONED RODEO immediately following Grand Entry in the arena. DANCE after rodeo in Pioneer Hall.
9:00 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT -HERE IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO DANCE EVERY DANCE! MUSIC BY THE LONE STAR TROUBADOURS

Saturday, 9/19
9am - 3pm -Registration of Pioneers in Courthouse.
10:00 a.m.-FLOAT PARADE
11:30 a.m.-Barbeque lunch honoring ALL REGISTERED CLAY COUNTY PIONEERS at VFW Building
12:30 a.m.-PLAY-DAY at Tex Rickard Memorial Arena
1:00 p.m.-INTRODUCTION OF CLAY COUNTY PIONEER ASSOCIATION PIONEER QUEEN AND DUCHESSES; Awarding of Prizes for Oldest Native Son, Daughter, etc. on Courthouse lawn.
7:00 p.m.-PARADE OF AWARD WINNING FLOATS in Tex Rickard Memorial Arena followed by Grand Entry and Awarding of Play Day trophies immediately following Grand Entry. Dance following the TCRA SANCTIONED RODEO
9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.-SATURDAY NIGHT DANCE Music by BRAZOS STONE

For Event Information (940)-538-5111 Vicky Hodges (940)-691-6811 Cinda Seabourn (940)-691-1281

Pumpkin Patch and Painted Pony Rides

Starting Oct 1, you can take your kids to pick pumpkins and ride ponies. http://www.paintedponyrides.com/ They will also have a Pony Carousel, Hay Rides, Pony Cart Rides and more. $5-$7 per pumpkin. Open Mon-Fri 9-1pm and 4-7pm, Sat 9am-5pm, and Sun 9am-7pm. Painted Pony Rides 4376 Airport Drive, Wichita Falls (940) 781-4949.  Please call first to make sure they are open.

We just went out there and Larry, the owner, is so nice.  They had a small patch of pumpkins to choose from $5-$10.  And even though we were the only ones there, he still got his minature horse, Captain, out for a ride (free with the purchase of a pumpkin).  He said with bigger parties he gets 5 of his horses out for rides and has a bouncy house, hay rides, and the kids can paint mini pumpkins.  They offer birthday parties for great prices (see their website).   Go check it out, we really enjoyed it!

Ace Sewing Center Classes

They offer classes for pre-teen (ages 8-12), teens (ages 13-18), and adults (ages 18 and up). Check out their website for when their classes are offered - http://www.acesewingcenter.com/.

Lowe's and Home Depot and Michael's Crafts for Kids

Lowe's Build and Grow Program Recommended age for attendees: Grades 1st - 5th. (940) 692-9955 Register online at https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/

Drum - Saturday September 12, 2009 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Fire Truck - Saturday September 26, 2009 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Home Depot Kids Workshop - First Saturday of the Month between 9 and noon. Ages 5-12. For more info, go to http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?pn=Kids_Workshops&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Sat, Oct 3 - Firehouse Bank
Michael's - http://michaels.com/art/online/static?page=store_events (940) 696-8238
Sat, Sept 19 American Girl Project - Free - 10am-2pm
Sat, Sept 26 Wilton Halloween Treats Demo - 1-3pm

Volleyball

Youngest team is 10&Under. For more information, go to http://www.tornadovolleyballclub.org/

Stroller Strides

Although I've never done Stroller Strides myself, I have a lot of friends that have taught or or gone and loved it. It looks like there is a new one starting in Wichita Falls - http://classes.strollerstrides.net/wichitafalls/location/index.aspx. Mon, Wed, Fri at 9:30am at Lucy Park. Should be a good work out!

Grand Opening is September 16, 2009. Meet in Lucy Park at the basketball court past the Log Cabin and Swimming Pool. It will start at 9:00 a.m. with a preview class beginning at 9:30 a.m. It's sure to be a fun event you won't want to miss. Raffles, discounts on membership and so much more!!

Homeschool Group

There are many families in the Texoma Area who work together to support each other in our efforts to homeschool. They have many classes, clubs, sports and opportunities for parents to meet and support one another while our students learn and meet friends. The local homeschool support group, which has been active for many years, is Home Educators Around Texoma (H.E.A.T.). For more information, go to http://www.wfheat.com/.