news briefs

DART Hidden Ridge Station in Irving is Open

The new Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Hidden Ridge Station at Carpenter Ranch, in Irving, is the 65th station in the network. Developed in partnership with the city of Irving and Verizon Communications, the new station is located on the Orange Line between North Lake College and Irving Convention Center stations.

Originally a part of the 3.9-mile Irving-2 opening of the Orange Line in December 2012, Hidden Ridge Station (formerly known as Carpenter Ranch Station) had been deferred in anticipation of Verizon Communications’ Hidden Ridge development, a planned 110-acre mixed-use project that will feature 1,200 apartments and residences; 80,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space; a hotel; and a two-acre green space with amenities.

The station provides a 136-space parking lot; six bus bays for making connections and transfers; five kiss-and-ride spaces for convenient drop-off and pickup, and a short trip to DFW Airport. See ad, page 5.

news briefs

Festival Celebrates Its 40th Season

The T-Mobile Scarborough Renaissance Festival will celebrate its 40th season on eight consecutive weekends through May 31, including Memorial Day, with new shows, new artisans and longtime favorites. All COVID-19 CDC protocols and guidelines will be followed.

Acrobats, comedians, instrumentalists, magicians, Scottish bagpipe and drums corps, a dancing weasel and even a sword swallower are just part of the festival fun. New shopping opportunities include unique jewelry, swords, wood art, chocolate, CBD, chainmail, sculpted fairies, teas and salts, maps and scrolls, apparel, accessories and more.

A Parakeet aviary is new this season, and the Scarborough Academy of Performing Arts has been working hard to bring the re-created 16th-century village alive. Visitors will enjoy full combat armored jousting, birds of prey exhibitions, the Mermaid Lagoon, knighting ceremonies, a 50+ member performing company and 25 stages of interactive and unique entertainment.

Themes include a Live the Fantasy and Spring Celebration; Chivalry Weekend on May 8 and 9; Celtic Weekend on May 15 and 16; Legends of the Seas on May 22 and 23; and the Last Huzzah on May 29, 30 and 31.

Admission is $37 for adults and $17 for children, ages 5 to12. Children age 4 and under are admitted free. View Safety protocols and detailed schedule at SRFestival.com.

Spring Market in the Garden

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden|Botanical Research Institute of Texas (FWBG|BRIT) will hold the inaugural Spring Market in the Garden from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 2, throughout the combined campus, including the annual Spring Sip and Shop, a new Tea and Coffee Festival, and a free Afternoon in the Garden from noon to 2 p.m. Visitors can observe pear, cherry, peach and crab apple trees blooming throughout while enjoying local artisans, food trucks, live music and more.

FWBG|BRIT Assistant Director Bob Byers says, “Spring Market in the Garden is the perfect place to shop, eat, and enjoy the blooming garden landscape. Support your local artisans, social distance and sip on a favorite beverage while exploring our other exhibits, such as Stickwork by Patrick Dougherty and Topiaries in the Garden.”

This event will follow Tarrant County and CDC guidelines for social distancing and sanitizing stations. Masks are required indoors.

Admission is $6 for children, $12 for adults and $10 for seniors. Location: 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd. and 1700 University Dr., Fort Worth. For more information, visit brit.org/ events.