THE LATEST NEWS & UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF ALLEN, TEXAS
ALLEN USA IS BACK! MUSIC, FOOD, FIREWORKS
COMMUNITY INPUT: REIMAGINE KIDMANIA
SIMPLE TIPS FOR SUMMER WATER CONSERVATION
UPCOMING EVENTS: FUN THINGS TO DO IN ALLEN
Allen USA is back! Live music, food and fireworks on June 28
Mark your calendars and round up your friends for Allen's biggest event of the year! Market Street Allen USA presented by Credit Union of Texas returns on Saturday, June 28, bringing an unforgettable night of live music, delicious food and one of the largest fireworks displays in North Texas.
Free Entry Ticket Required
For the second year in a row, free tickets are required for entry. Reservations open on Monday, June 2. All attendees, including infants and children, will need a ticket to enter the park.
» For ticket and event information, please visit AllenUSA.org
At A Glance: Know Before You Go to Allen USA
Starting June 2
Reserve Your Entry Ticket
Event & Stage Schedule
5:00 p.m. Gates Open Entry Ticket Required
6:00 p.m. Event Begins Food Trucks Open
6:30 p.m. Waterloo ABBA Tribute Band
8:00 p.m. Emerald City Band DFW Party Band
9:30 p.m. Fireworks Finale
Ask Allen's Experts
This month's expert: David Cannaday,
Assistant Fire Chief for Allen Fire Department
“My family loves to grill, but flames make me nervous. How do I prevent our summer cookouts from ending in a 911 call?”
Great question! Grilling can be fun and safe with a little prep. Keep your grill at least three feet away from your house, deck railings and trees—always outside, never in garages or enclosed patios.
Clean off grease before firing up the grill, and open the lid on gas grills before lighting. For charcoal grills, use only charcoal starter fluid—never gasoline.
Stay with the grill while cooking and keep kids and pets out of the area.
When you’re done, turn off burners (on gas grills) and let coals cool completely (on charcoal grills) before disposing them in a metal container.
As always, if you smell gas or have a grill emergency, step away and call 911. We're always here to help keep you safe, so never hesitate to call us!
Ask Allen’s Experts is your monthly inside scoop from the people who know Allen best: our City staff! We’ll tap into the knowledge of our subject matter experts to bring you timely updates, helpful tips and answers to questions that matter most to residents.
Spring Into Savings! Get Your Irrigation System Summer-Ready
Before summer sizzles in, take a few minutes to inspect your sprinkler system. A leaky line or misaligned sprinkler heads can waste thousands of gallons of water before you even notice!
To help your lawn thrive, look for broken sprinkler heads, clogged nozzles or water spraying onto sidewalks instead of your yard.
Need a hand? The City of Allen offers free sprinkler evaluations to the first 40 residents who sign up each month. Experts will check for leaks and other problems so you can water wisely and lower your bill.
Simple Water Conservation Tips for Spring and Summer
• Water only when necessary, once per week is usually sufficient.
• From April 1 to October 31, water only before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• Choose Texas-friendly native plants that require less water and maintenance.
• Program your sprinklers settings for efficient use or set them to "manual" to prevent overwatering.
• Use WaterSmart (AllenTX.gov/WaterSmart) to track water use and get alerts about possible leaks.
» Learn more about water conservation and sign up for your free sprinkler evaluation at AllenTX.gov/WaterEducation
Sunny Days and Splashy Plays at Ford Pool in Allen
Summer fun is heating up—and Ford Pool is the best place to cool down! Allen's outdoor community pool opens on Memorial Day weekend (May 24) and offers seasonal hours through Labor Day.
Zoom down the 20-foot slide, splash through playful water features or swim a few laps in the sun. Members of any Allen recreation facility get unlimited access. Not a member? No problem—day passes are available and cost just $3 per person for Allen residents! » More info at LifeinAllen.org/FordPool
Hours of Operation
M-TH 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
F 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
SA 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
SU 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Days of Operation
Open daily: May 24-Aug. 11
Weekends & Holidays: Aug. 16-17, Aug. 23-24, Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Community Input Opportunity: Reimagine KidMania
After more than two decades of fun-filled memories, the KidMania playground and sprayground at Celebration Park are due for major upgrades and equipment replacement coming late in 2026.
To prepare for this significant overhaul, Allen Parks and Recreation wants to hear your ideas and input on designs for the revamped playground and splash pad areas. Help reimagine this beloved community amenity by sharing your feedback online through the end of June on Engage Allen. » Learn more and get involved: Engage.CityofAllen.org
Summer Reading Challenge: Color Your World with APL
Get ready to color your world with stories this summer! From May 27 to July 25, the Allen Public Library (APL) invites bookworms of all ages to join the Color Our World Summer Reading Challenge. Dive into stories, explore new ideas and earn exciting prizes along the way.
How The Summer Reading Challenge Works
Starting May 27, pick up your reading log at the Allen Public Library or download one at AllenLibrary.org/SummerReading. The challenge is simple: read books, log your progress and claim your rewards!
• Kids & Teens can track either books read or minutes spent reading. Hit 50 books or 500 minutes to be eligible to earn a free book, coupons and a surprise (prizes available starting June 9—while supplies last).
• Adults who read five books or 500 minutes can enter to win a themed prize basket—Movie Night, Art, Games, Books or Gardening—and everyone who turns in a log gets a small prize.
Allen City Council Update
Meet Your Newly-Elected Councilmembers
After candidates Amy Gnadt (Place 4) and Ben Trahan (Place 6) ran unopposed, Allen City Council canceled the May 3 election and, per state law, declared both officially elected; they will be seated on May 13.
Incoming Place 4 Councilmember
Amy Gnadt, a longtime Allen resident and former Allen ISD trustee, brings over a decade of educational and nonprofit leadership to the Council.
Returning to serve Place 6, Ben Trahan brings 28 years of banking experience and a strong record of civic involvement, including service on local boards, school committees, and regional leadership groups.
Council Term Ending
Outgoing Councilmember
Chris Schulmeister terms out on May 13. He has served on Allen City Council since 2019, and previously contributed decades of volunteer service and leadership on City boards.
Curl up with a book and color your world with adventure! » For full details and to download your reading log, visit AllenLibrary.org/SummerReading
Allen Trails Spotlight
Hit the Trails: Molson Farm Trailhead is Now Open for Adventure!
Just in time for National Trails Day on June 7, the brand-new Molson Farm Trailhead is open and waiting for you! This isn’t just any trailhead—it’s your connector to the Rowlett Creek Trail and a gateway to even more outdoor fun into Plano.
With more parking, restrooms and easy access to Allen’s 80+ miles of trails, there’s no excuse to stay indoors!
Location (Address): Molsen Farm Trailhead 1550 S. Greenville Avenue
Pick up an Allen parks and trails map!
Pick up a pocket-sized folding map of the Allen’s parks and trails at any recreation center (while supplies last). Use #NoPlaceLikeAllen when posting your adventures!
Upcoming Events: Find Fun Things To Do In Allen
» Get more details about the events listed below and view more upcoming events at AllenTX.gov/Events .
THURSDAY, MAY 1
Sprayground Opens at Celebration Park (701 N. Angel Parkway)
This free, family-friendly spot features interactive water elements on a slipresistant surface—offering a safe but enjoyable way to beat the Texas heat. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a later opening time of 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. »Details: LifeInAllen.org
MONDAYS: JUN. 2, 9, 16
NETSCOUT Summer Sounds Concert Series presented by Credit Union of Texas at Bethany Lakes Park (745 S. Allen Heights Drive)
Get ready for summer nights filled with music and fun! Pack your picnic blanket, gather your friends and enjoy FREE live concerts during this year's NETSCOUT Summer Sounds Concert Series.
»Details: LifeInAllen.org/SummerSounds
MONDAYS IN JUN. & JUL. Monday Night Open Chess
at Allen Public Library Temporary Location (800 E. Main Street)
Join fellow chess lovers of all skill levels for an evening of chess and snacks! This is not an instructional program.
» More info: AllenLibrary.org
THURSDAY, JUN. 19
Juneteenth Celebration Concert presented by Phillips Home Improvements at Stephen G. Terrell Community Park (1680 W. Exchange Parkway)
Grab some lawn chairs and gather your friends for Allen's Juneteenth Celebration Concert! Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the day enslaved African Americans in Texas were told of their emancipation in 1865. Everyone is welcome to attend this celebration of unity and freedom.
» Details: LifeInAllen.org/Juneteenth
TUESDAY, JUN. 24SATURDAY, JUN. 28
Theatre On Ice is a form of competitive figure skating that combines the grace of figure skating with the excitement of theatre and dance.
» More info: CUTXEventCenter.com
SUNDAY, JUL. 20
National Ice Cream Day Social
U.S. Figure Skating National Theatre On Ice at Allen Heritage Village (450 St Mary Drive) at Credit Union of Texas Event Center (200 E. Stacy Road, #1350)
Celebrate with a sweet afternoon! Enjoy ice cream, yard games, music and a chance to explore historic buildings. Free registration—fun for the whole family.
