Discover Ennis Spring 2021

DISCOVER Ennis SPRING 2021

A Complete Guide to Spring in Ennis, TX The bluebonnet spirit of Texas.

WELCOMETOENNIS! Welcome to Ennis! You have just discovered a wonderful family community growing to meet the needs of its residents.

We are a community rich in heritage and traditions, which you will experience through our local festivals, parades, dances, theater and everyday living.

Beautiful homes and parks merge with our historic districts and new, modern residential communities.

Shopping opportunities continue to grow with new retail projects in the works, as well as new restaurants coming to the area.

You will be introduced to an impressive downtown array of shopping experiences offering a selection of Czech crystal, antiques, furniture, hardware, flower shops, gift shops and clothing.

Our state-of-the-art hospital offers a variety of medical services. An on-site doctors’ building houses a number of medical experts ready to diagnose or assist in any medical needs you may have.

The Ennis Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to the

expansion of the individual goals of its members as well as the businesses they represent. The officers of the Ennis Jeannette Patak Chamber, along with the board of President directors, offer a wealth of knowledge Ennis Chamber of Commerce and insight. Their knowledge and experience in the local community affairs can be a helpful aid in transitioning into the community.

At the chamber, we have maps, lists of churches, shops, service providers, phone books and numerous pamphlets about the city available to you. Information is readily available on our website along with information on our local events.

A high-quality, balanced, diverse community of happy families is the Ennis way. We are here to provide you with information about Ennis necessary to adjust to new surroundings, or brush up on changes in the business and professional world. Just stop by or give us a call.

Welcome to Ennis Y’all!

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The only media outlet dedicated to Ennis.

Special thanks to the City of Ennis, Ennis Welcome Center, Ennis Main Street, Ennis Chamber of Commerce, and Ennis Independent School District. Additional images courtesy of the City of Ennis and other contributors.

Discover Spring 2021 is a publication of The Ennis News.

Features by Mark Warde and Randy Bigham. Copyright 2021.

All rights reserved. For more copies, contact us at The Ennis News or go online to www.ennisdailynews.com.

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TEXASBLUEBONNETCITY BLUEBONNET BLUEBONNETCITY E

ach April, Ennis becomes the place to be in Texas. And it’s all on account of a beautiful blue flower that captures people’s imaginations, and is in turn captured in beautiful photos.

Ennis was designated by the 1997 State Legislature as the home of the “Official Texas Bluebonnet Trail” and was later designated the “Official Bluebonnet City of Texas.” While others have similar boasts, Ennis radiates the bluebonnet spirit like no one else.

From April 1-30, Ennis showcases more than 40 miles of mapped Bluebonnet Trails for driving and viewing, all sponsored by the Ennis Garden Club. They are the oldest such trails known in the state, and tens of thousands of visitors make the short trek to Ennis to view this wonderful wildflower show. The Ennis Garden Club drives the trails to check the bloom status each week starting in April. The Club then reports to the new Ennis Welcome Center (201 NW Main St) about the latest status of the bluebonnets so that visitors can be well informed where the best flowers are on the trails at the time of their visit. Each year the bluebonnets, the state flower, will appear on different trails as these are natural to the area.

In Ennis, the bluebonnets typically peak around the third week

of April, according to the Ennis Garden Club. This can vary year to year due to weather conditions and terrain, so please check the visitennis.org and bluebonnettrail.org websites or call 972-8784748 before your visit. The downtown Ennis Welcome Center is open seven days a week in April, except for Easter Sunday, April 4.

A highlight of the Bluebonnet Trails in April is the Bluebonnet Festival which will be held April 16-18, 2021 in downtown Ennis. It too is sponsored by The Ennis Garden Club.

The 2021 Bluebonnet Trails Festival will play host to three live bands. Le Freak, the greatest disco band in the world, will perform on Friday, April 16, 2021. Saturday, April 17, 2021, brings Infinite Journey, a Journey tribute band, to the stage. The Spazmatics, an 80s tribute band will be sure to bring high-energy entertainment to those in attendance on Sunday, April 18, 2021.

This year’s festival promises to be one you don’t want to miss!

Visit Ennis for the bluebonnets in April. Their beauty in person is well beyond what any photo can capture. Download the mobile app, Ennis Y’all, for the Trail Map and more.

Ennis Bluebonnet Trails April 1-30, 2021

Bluebonnet Trails Festival April 16-18, 2021

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www.bluebonnettrail.org | visitennis.org

*Events are subject to change

BLUEBONNETMARKET B

luebonnet Market, formerly known as the Ennis Farmers Market, is held on the newly renovated North Dallas Street.

Streets, sidewalks, lighting, new facades and buildings are being transformed into the future of Ennis with a taste of the now in the Bluebonnet Market. Offices, lofts, businesses and restaurants have materialized, and more are on the way, all part of the city’s Main Street national program.

One element that remains is the downtown Bluebonnet Market, which has endured the surrounding work in recent years. This will be its eighth, uninterrupted season, dating back to April of 2014.

Offering our neighbors garden and farm fresh produce and food products has returned once again.

Now a fixture in town, on any given Saturday, for seven months - April through October, from 8 a.m. until noon, there are 500 or more who shop the market where vendors provide a wide selection of fruits, vegetables, honey, meat, nuts, cottage and prepared food, clothing, crafts and interior products.

Special events are scheduled, including cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts for children at Make It at the Market, exhibitions, kids activities and special music.

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ENNISCZECHHERITAGE The Czech experience extends beyond the Polka Fest to the churches, civic groups and family-owned restaurants and other businesses that cater to life in Ennis. The Ennis News regularly features cultural and historical news items about Czech heritage. But the parade and accompanying activities and entertainment are the big attraction once May rolls around.

The National Polka Festival® in Ennis celebrates years of Czech heritage from Friday through Sunday, May 28-30, 2021.

Held annually on Memorial Day Weekend, the National Polka Festival offers activities for the whole family in the small town atmosphere of The Bluebonnet City.

The festival kicks off with a dance on Friday, featuring polka music and the King and Queen Dance Contest, in which participants and audiences are encouraged to wear traditional Czech kroj (costumes).

On Saturday morning, floats, bands and colorful costumes make up the famous parade that twists through

historic downtown. The festivities include attractions for visitors of all ages. Attendees can enjoy the music of polka bands on decorated floats or the sounds of the award winning Ennis High School Marching Band. The Shriners make their annual appearance, as well as celebrities, public officials, motorcyclists, horseback riders, clowns, kids and seniors.

Visitors experience Czech traditions, religious customs and dancing throughout historic downtown and at three spacious, air conditioned halls (KJT, Sokol and SPJST).

Attendees will enjoy a weekend of polka dancing, Czech foods, and numerous sensational live polka bands.

Polka Festival guests can also experience authentic Czech cuisine at what has become the city’s largest festival.

Today, Polka fans from across the country come to Ennis for Memorial Day weekend. Attendance continues growing, and by some counts, as many as 50,000 people come to town each year to enjoy events associated with the National Polka Festival. *Events are subject to change

National Polka Festival Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-30, 2021

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Museum and Library: Czech it out Ennis’ Czechoslovakian heritage is celebrated at the Sokol Hall Activity Center’s Czech Museum and Library. Exhibits include authentic Czech costumes, memorabilia, dolls, photographs, crystal and books.

The museum and library is open during special events and by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call Liz Moucka at 972-765-3733.

KATOLICKA JEDNOTA TEXASKA SOCIETY NO. 35 Members: Approximately 1,250 Community Outreach & Activities:

KJT youth program, scholarships for KJT members who are graduating seniors

History:

KJT Society began so that Czech immigrants could bond with each other after coming to the United States. The Ennis chapter was founded in 1900. KJT began accepting women members in 1980. Although it started out as an exclusively Catholic organization, in 2008, KJT opened membership to all Christians.

SOKOL Members: Approximately 300 Community Outreach & Activities:

Sokol provides gymnastics and fitness classes for all, and a twirling program. Facilities can be used for community functions, weddings, and other parties.

History:

Sokol, which means falcon in Czech, was founded in 1862 in Prague, and brought to the United States by Czech immigrants to preserve their heritage.

The Ennis unit was formed in 1908.

SPJST LODGE #25 Members: Approximately 700 Community Outreach & Activities:

SPJST #25 Youth Program; Scholarships for SPJST Members who are graduating seniors; SPJST Lodge #25 Bar open every Wednesday Night from 5pm-10pm; Kitchen/Dining Room, Bar, and Hall available for bookings for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, holiday parties and special occasions. New Year’s Eve Party with live music featuring The Moravians and a Balloon Drop. Facebook / Instagram: @spjstennistx

History:

SPJST stands for Slovanska Podporujici Jednota Statu Texas which translates to Slavonic Benefit Order of the State of Texas. SPJST Lodge #25 was established in 1897.

Visit the Ennis Welcome Center at 201 NW Main St. for more information on events and festivals.

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THEATRELIVESHERE executive director and oversees every aspect of production.

TR seeks to honor the Master Artist and Creator by loving and encouraging artists, serving audiences and giving back to the region. Located just a few blocks north of Ennis Avenue at 505 NW Main Street, the ambiance on the set works for adoring audiences. Visit their Facebook page, www.TheatreRocks.com or call 972-878-5126.

Tickets are very affordable, as are season passes.

Ennis is home to two local theater organizations, which is very rare for a small town. Both have approximately six productions annually as well as other entertainment on their stage during the calendar season. Ennis residents and those in the local area offer great shows at Ennis Public Theatre and Theatre Rocks!

Those inclined can try out for parts in various productions – as a cast member or as part of the crew.

Ennis Public Theatre, a community treasure

One of the first community playhouses in Ennis since the 1940s, the Ennis Public Theatre (EPT) delivers superb live entertainment at a reasonable cost.

Since it first opened its doors in 2002, The Ennis Public Theatre has offered up plays of all genres to delight its audiences, from laugh out loud comedies to heartwarming dramas. Musicals are a specialty and they have audiences singing in their seats. In addition, “K.I.D.S.” productions that delight the whole family are a mainstay at EPT. It’s located in downtown Ennis at 113 N. Dallas St. One of the gems of the Main Street revitalization program, the Ennis Public Theatre looks forward to many more years to entertain and delight Ennis and surrounding areas. For more information log on to www.ennispublictheatre.com or call 972-878-PLAY.

Theatre Rocks! the house

This non-profit 501c3 charitable arts organization serves eastern Ellis County and the surrounding region, presenting high quality, mainstream theatre in an intimate setting. Shows are done by providing a great environment for actors and related theatre artists that fosters growth and achievement.

Artistic Director Bill Rhoten, who originally was the director at EPT, has decades of acting, writing and directing experience. Bill is exceptional at editing Broadway plays into one or two acts as well as creating and writing original dramas. His wife, Suzanne, serves as 10 - DISCOVER ENNIS SPRING 2021

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TEXASMOTORPLEX Texas Motorplex hosts a National Hot Rod Event each racing season which draws fans from across the globe.

The Texas Motorplex is known

nationwide for being the host of the prestigious NHRA Fall Nationals (Oct. 7-10, 2021) event each fall, but it’s also a year-round racing center, located about two miles west of Ennis.

Events start in February and run through November, among them National Hot Rod Diesel Association events, Import Face Offs, car shows, and Fast Fridays.

Fast Fridays give people a chance to take their own cars to the strip to

give drag racing a try. It’s a way for people to legally satisfy their need for speed, and for a very reasonable fee.

Anyone can head to the track and race unlimited times.

Home of the world speed record of 333.95 mph, the Texas Motorplex is considered one of the finest onequarter mile drag racing facilities in the nation.

Constructed in 1986 by Billy Meyer, the Texas Motorplex is known across the country as “the ultimate

FUNINJUNE

drag racing facility” both by drivers and the fans alike. The Motorplex hosts over 90 events each year, with 500,000 fans visiting the race track annually. Ennis welcomes the racers and race fans with open arms.

If you are just visiting or planning to come back, be sure to get your hotel reservations early. Ennis is blessed with great lodging, and accommodations fill up as fast as a dragster on the strip.

ENNISFREEDOMFEST&BLUESONMAIN

Saturday, June 12, Blues on Main

hits downtown Ennis, featuring The Legendary Creators, an amazing vocal group performing hits from the late 60s through the 90s. New this year, Sunday Brunch!

Saturday, June 26, begins downtown with

the annual Red, White and Bike Parade.

Come see hundreds of people in patriotic garb, showcasing their decorated rides.

The festival then moves west to Veterans Park, 2301 Ennis Parkway, where families will find music, vendors and fun activities.

2021 Ennis Freedom Fest culminates with a spectacular fireworks display after sundown. *Events are subject to change

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ENNISEVENTSCALENDAR April - October April 1-30 April 10 April 16 - May 2 April 16-18 April 23 - May 8 May 28-30 June 4-20 June 11-27 June 12 June 26 July 15-25 Aug 20 - Sept 5 October 1-31

Bluebonnet Market (formerly the Farmers Market), 100 N Dallas St., Sat. 8am – noon Ennis Bluebonnet Trails, www.bluebonnettrail.org Don’t Mess with Texas Trash Off, litter cleanup event, www.KeepEnnisBeautiful.com Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner at Ennis Public Theatre Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival, www.bluebonnettrail.org Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Priory School at Theatre Rocks National Polka Festival, www.nationalpolkafestival.com Walking Across Egypt at Ennis Public Theatre Theatre Rocks National Playwright Competition Winner Blues on Main Festival downtown Ennis, www.VisitEnnis.org Ennis Freedom Fest, www.VisitEnnis.org Disney’s Frozen Jr. at Ennis Public Theatre The Red Velvet Cake War at Ennis Public Theatre Hay Maze & Pumpkin Patch FREE! North Plaza Parking, 302 N Dallas St.

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October 9 October 7-10 October 8-24 October 30 November 27 December 2 December 1-31

December 3-12 December 4 December 12

Annual Lion Pride Fall Sweep, litter cleanup event, www.KeepEnnisBeautiful.com NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex www.texasmotorplex.com The Sound of Music at Ennis Public Theatre Ennis Autumn Daze fall festival, www.VisitEnnis.org Small Business Saturday downtown Ennis Lights of Ennis Parade & Block Party in downtown Ennis Lights of Ennis events in downtown Ennis include cookies with Mrs. Claus, horse drawn carriage and wagon rides, Elf Seek and Find game, a giant snow hill, photo ops, and more! Details TBA Beasley’s Christmas Party at Ennis Public Theatre Lucky’s Car Club Car Show & Toy Drive in downtown Ennis Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration in downtown Ennis

**Events are subject to change. Please confirm before driving long distances. Follow Visit Ennis, Texas AND Ennis Tx: A Main Street City on Facebook and Twitter. Download the mobile app Ennis Y’all. Visit the website www.VisitEnnis.org. Call 972-878-4748.

BY THE #’S

OFFICIALS CITY OF ENNIS

20,357

Census Bureau Est. Population in 2019 Angeline Juenemann Mayor

Jake Holland Mayor Pro-Tem

Rowdy Pruitt

Ward 1 Commissioner

Bruce Jones

Ward 2 Commissioner

39

Miles from Ennis to downtown Dallas

5

State Football Championships

27.6

Percentage of homes with children under 18 Scott Hejny

Ward 3 Commissioner

Shirley Watson

Ward 4 Commissioner

Bill Honza

Ward 5 Commissioner

INFORMATION

David Anthony Interim Chief of Police

City of Ennis, 972-875-1234 Ennis Police Department, 972-875-4462 Ennis Fire Department / Ambulance Service, 972-875-3473 Ennis Fire Station #2, 972-875-6151 Ennis Fire Station #3, 972-895-3313 Ennis Regional Medical Center, 972-875-0900 Ennis Chamber of Commerce, 972-878-2625 Ennis Welcome Center, 972-878-4748 City of Ennis Economic Development, 972-878-4748 City of Ennis Health & Inspections, 972-878-6442 Ennis Independent School District, 972-872-7000 The Ennis News, 972-875-3801 Ennis Main Street Program, 972-878-4748 Ennis Public Library, 972-875-5360 Go to www.visitennis.org or download the ENNISY’ALL Ennis Municipal Airport, 972-875-4279 app for event times and dates.

Ennis Cares, 972-695-3524 Do you need information for your visit? Go to www.visitennis.org, or contact the Ennis Chamber of Commerce at 972-878-2625 or www. ennis-chamber.com. Download the free mobile app, Ennis Y’all, for Ennis information and where to shop, stay, do and see!

57,619

Median family income in dollars

11

Number of Ennis Independent School District instructional facilities

2021 & 69th

Bluebonnet Trails Festival will celebrate its 69th in April 2021

1/4

Length in miles of drag races at Texas Motorplex

2

Number of Operating Stage Theaters

40

Miles of Bluebonnet Trails

ENNIS:HISTORYLIVESHERE The Ennis Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum is located on Northeast Main Street, along the railroad tracks, on Ennis Avenue.

The City of Ennis was established as a town in 1872 and was named after Cornelius Ennis, director of the Houston & Texas Central (H&TC) Railroad. Much of its history can be found at the museum.

Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays 1-4 p.m. Mondays are open only by appointment for group tours. Please call 972-875-1901 or 972878-4748 at least 48 hours in advance for reservations.

The museum is housed in a former Van Noy restaurant building built in 1915.

The restaurant served customers from the 10 passenger trains a day that once stopped in Ennis. The yellow wood-frame building to the north of the museum served as the ticket office and baggage building after the original two-story depot was destroyed by fire in the late 1930s. Located to the south of the museum is the former Wells Fargo freight office.

The City of Ennis acquired the museum building from the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1991.

In 1871, the Houston and Texas Central Railroad, a forerunner of the Southern Pacific Railroad, purchased 647 acres of land in Ellis County at a price of $5.00 per acre, establishing the line’s northern terminus. It was on June 8, 1872 that the site was established as the City of Ennis.

Ennis was the banking and agricultural center of east Ellis County by the 1880s. Ennis National Bank, with capital of $100,000, held the title of the largest bank in the county in 1883. Many of the early settlers of this area were people from the East and South who were attracted by the rich Blackland Prairie soil, the railroad, and other business opportunities. In 1873, Jacob Shebasta, an immigrant from Czechoslovakia, was the first of many Eastern Europeans to make this area his home. Ennis retains a strong Czechoslovakian influence, and today is home to four Czech social halls as well as the annual National Polka Festival each May. In 1891, the Texas & New Orleans Railroad, a part of the Southern Pacific system, established a division point in Ennis, leading to the construction of shops and a roundhouse. The citizens of Ennis contributed $25,000, 90 acres of land, and a 43 acre lake toward the project. A contract 16 - DISCOVER ENNIS SPRING 2021

was drawn up stating that the railroad could not move its shops out of town as long as the City of Ennis was able to provide water for the railroad’s use. The railroad was the key to the development of Ennis as an agricultural, commercial, and later, an industrial center. According to early resident Joseph Baldridge, “If Ennis had not obtained the shops and the superintendent’s offices, it would have remained only a small agricultural center.” Ennis was able to successfully combine the natural resources of its rich farm land with the transportation advantages offered by the railroad.

In May 1930, Ennis had become known as the place “Where Railroads and Cotton Fields Meet.” From its founding, various cultures have shaped the development of the City. In its earlier days, Ennis was a settlement town with a “wild west” reputation. At one time, the City had 13 saloons and six beer halls. The town also served as a stopping place for outlaw gangs including those of Cole Younger and Sam Bass; and the family of gunfighter John Wesley Hardin was among the city’s pioneers.

Other cultures have also contributed to the history of Ennis. For example, Robert Martinez drove 3,200 head of cattle from Ennis to Montana along the Chisolm Trail in the late 19th century. Also, during the 1920s, Ennis resident Dr. Armour Rogers became one of the first practicing African American doctors in Ellis County.

About our history: • The City of Ennis was established in 1872.

• A record-making Texas League game with 8 homeruns was played in Ennis in 1902.

• Author and educator Katie Daffan, the first woman to head a state agency in Texas, lived in Ennis.

• In 1920 a total of 152,601 bales of cotton were ginned in Ellis County, the most of any county in America.

• Ennis is known as the Bluebonnet City because of the springtime beauty and abundance of the state flower in and around the city.

• U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Jack Lummus, born in Ennis, posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery in World War II. Lummus, a former Baylor University and New York Giants football star, was one of only two National Football League players to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, and he was inducted into the New York Giants Ring of Honor in 2015.

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OLDTIMEFUN!

A five-day carnival-ride event with some of the same attractions one might find at the Texas State Fair.

Typically held annually at North Plaza in downtown Ennis.

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ENNIS ENNISVETERANS MEMORIAL Ennis Veterans Memorial Park, located at 2301 Ennis Pkwy, was dedicated to those who gave their lives to protect American freedom.

The Veterans Memorial monuments honor veterans from each 20th and 21st Century U.S. military conflict.

In addition to the memorial site, there are three lighted competition football /soccer fields for league play and six youth soccer fields, available for use by reservation.

There is also a building for concession and restroom facilities, a 0.4 mile of walking paths, picnic tables and a children’s playground.

Veterans Memorial Park has been open to the public since August 2011, and many have enjoyed its recreational amenities since then.

A salute in brick and mortar to the men and women of America’s Armed Forces, the memorial has been the backdrop for many local patriotic events.

The memorial is now known nationally as in his campaign to secure better medical care for fellow sufferers of Agent Orange (AO), Vietnam War veteran Gerry Wright has referenced how the AO monument erected at the Ennis site inspired him in his work to change the law governing health coverage for AO survivors.

The memorial takes the form of a circular promenade with a centerpiece devoted to veterans and surrounding sections dedicated to specific conflicts, from World War I to the current War on Terror. Larry Fincher, chairman of the committee that supervised the building of the monument, stressed the main objective is to pay homage to all enlisted personnel.

“We want to honor all U.S. veterans,” he said, “whether they served in a war or not, whether dead or alive and whether they are from Ennis or not.”

For more information, contact City of Ennis Parks Department at 972-875-1234.

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LAKEBARDWELLRESERVOIR Ellis County is home to one of the largest

recreational facilities in North Texas – Lake Bardwell Reservoir. It is one of the most visited tourist spots in the county.

Thousands of residents and tourists visit the 3,500-acre lake each year, enjoying fishing, boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, hiking, biking, and just about any other outdoor activity within and along its 25 miles of shoreline. It is more than 5 miles long and more than 1 mile wide at its largest point.

Both the lake and surrounding campgrounds are maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which features a marina and several boat ramps. You can reach the marina at 972-646-5330.

Camping reservations or additional information is available at 972-875-5711 or recreation.gov. Congress authorized construction of the reservoir of the Bardwell Reservoir on March 31, 1960. Construction began in September 1963. Impoundment of water at the lake, which provides flood control and conservation platform for area water, began in November 1965. It cost more than $12 million to build.

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Bardwell is known for its fishing, with bass, catfish and crappie the most-targeted catches.

FUN&GAMESGALORE • Bluebonnet Park: On Ennis Parkway, west of Hwy 287, and follow the signs. Facility includes eight lighted ball fields, 10 acres of recreational open space, a two-acre fishing lake, and a 0.7-mile jogging path. This facility is available for softball and baseball tournaments and attracts teams from all across the State of Texas.

• Community theaters – Ennis Public Theatre and Theatre Rocks! See story elsewhere in this edition.

• Disc golf located adjacent to the dam on the south end of Lake Clark, at 3000 W. Ennis Ave. • Big O Speedway: Located east of Ennis, the facility offers dirt track racing on weekends March-October.

• E.I.S.D. Tennis Center: 9 championship quality tennis courts (4 indoors), snack bar, and pro shop.

• Ennis All-Star Bowl – 2313 W. Ennis Ave. • Galaxy Drive-In Theatre features seven screens.

• The Gameroom - 807 W. Lake Bardwell Dr., 469-8811022 , www.ennisgameroom.com • Golf is open to the public at Red Oak Valley Golf Club in Red Oak and at the Old Brickyard course in Ferris.

• Highview Park at Lake Bardwell: Picnic and/or swim.

This park requires a facility use fee per carload. For camping reservations, please call 972-875-5711 or go to recreation.gov.

• Highview Marina at Lake Bardwell: 972-646-5330.

• Lake Clark Park: Found on the west end of Baldridge Street, it is a perfect place to have a picnic, to fish, to play on the playground, or to take a walk with a lake view.

Check out Kachina Prairie and the bison statue there.

• Lions Park: Corner of Hall and Lampasas streets.

• Meadow View Nature Area: 972-878-4748 for hours.

• Minnie McDowal Park is a unique gathering spot for families located at 119 N. Dallas featuring a gazebo, art wall and water feature.

• Opry: Located in the old Bristol School, about 15 minutes east of Ennis, the Opry features local talent performing live on stage. The show goes on the fourth Saturday of each month at 7 p.m., except in December.

The Bardwell Opry, located in the Bardwell Community Center, is every fifth Saturday.

• Puppy Patch Dog Park: 302 N. Dallas St., is sure to be a favorite stop for the dog in your family!

• Railroad & Cultural Heritage Museum: 972-875-1901.

• Sugar Ridge Winery in Bristol offers local wines, a private tasting room, and reception area.

• Texas Motorplex: 972-878-2641.

• Veterans Memorial Park at 2301 Ennis Parkway features a veterans memorial and athletic fields. Youth soccer is a favorite.

• Xtreme Raceway Park Ferris: Info on Facebook.

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DISCOVERNEWDOWNTOWNENNIS F or years the hopes of a city whose downtown was seriously damaged and, faced with the likelihood of never coming back, had a fresh vision born in the hearts of people. Pacing back and forth like a new father, the revitalization of the Bluebonnet City came to blooming life. Nearly 20,000 residents have witnessed the growth of new housing sectors and incoming businesses. They have sprung up along the I-45 corridor and in downtown, a mile west of the interstate.

May 13, 2013 was the date when 13 local twisters ravaged the area, including one that strolled down midtown toward the east on Ennis Avenue. Once the effects, which included the loss of vitality between McKinney and Main, had taken their toll, what rose from the collapsed heap of bricks was a new-found purpose. Ideas of rebuilding and restoring began to outnumber thoughts of vacating and starting over elsewhere.

Right in the middle of it all the Historical Society

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helped foster a desire to parlay seeming defeat into a spirit of revival.

Even old buildings that had perhaps outlived their usefulness have seen investors step in to do much more than a face-lift. Work has largely been completed on Dallas Street, including a huge undertaking beneath the five blocks of North and South Dallas.

Minnie McDowal Park, formerly a theatre downtown, has been a huge benefactor. So have plans for new restaurants and night life, retail, offices, apartments and lofts, banking and a fenced in dog park at North Plaza.

The city’s heartbeat is alive and well.

Festivals and wholesome events that fill the calendar make Ennis a growing destination for families. A multicultural mesh give credence to sustaining that life for years to come. Most of the venues bring thousands of people, and then there are the 40,000 that flock to Memorial Weekend’s National Polka Festival.

The magnetic appeal of Ennis is related directly to the vibrant life of this community. It’s alive, and contagious.