FIREFIGHTERS How to Help Your Local PARAMEDICS and Help You
Regardless of your age, it's crucial to remember and practice safety tips. As a family, sharing and practicing these tips together can ensure everyone's safety in case of an emergency.
Dialing 911 in an Emergency
The 911 system, established in 1968, has significantly improved over the years. Here are some key points to remember when dialing 911:
• Speak Slowly and Remain Calm: Clear communication is essential in emergencies.
• Know Your Physical Address: Be familiar with your address or have solid landmarks to describe your location.
• Provide Concise Information: Answer questions with short, informative responses.
• Designate a Safe Meeting Place: Have a spot outdoors at a safe distance from your home where your family can gather. Practice this regularly to ensure everyone knows where to go.
• Have an Exit Plan: Create and practice an exit plan for all parts of your house, including at least two exits.
Fire Safety Tips
• Don't Hide from Firefighters: Remind children that firefighters are there to help, and not to hide from them. It will be hot, dark, and smoky during a fire, and the firefighters' search will be quick. Ensure everyone is easily found.
• Close Doors to Contain Fire: If you are certain no one is in
the room where the fire started, and it is safe to do so, close the door to that room. This helps slow the fire's spread and may provide extra time to exit safely.
• Stay Low and Crawl: Heat and smoke rise, so the air near the floor is safer to breathe.
• Stop, Drop, and Roll: If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop to the ground, and roll to extinguish the flames, covering your head with your arms to protect your head and airway.
• Keep Your Home Exterior Clear: For older family members, ensure the outside of your home is free of clutter, tall grass, and bushes to prevent fire spread.
Medical Emergencies
• When providing answers to medical questions, use as few words as possible:
• What Happened?
• Is the Person Breathing?
• Is the Person Bleeding?
Community Engagement
Visit your local fire department to learn more about their operations and how to make your home and family safer. Bringing cookies or waters and taking a tour can be a great way to engage with your local firefighters. They are always willing to help you understand more about staying safe.
Practicing these tips and engaging with your local fire department can make a significant difference in ensuring your family's safety in emergencies.
The foster care system is a complex network designed to provide safety and stability for children who have experienced neglect, abuse, or abandonment. However, the journey through this system can be particularly tumultuous for teenagers, often labeled as "undesirable" and "hard to place."
For years, one child bounced from one foster home to another, each placement ending in disappointment and rejection. Her label as an "undesirable teenager" was a heavy burden, shaping the perceptions of potential foster parents and making it nearly impossible to find a permanent home. Many believed she was too damaged to help, too late to save.
The turning point came during one particular pre-placement visit. This visit wasn't just about evaluating whether the home was willing to accept her; it was also about determining if she wanted to be there. For the
first time, she had a voice in the process. This two-way interview was new territory for her, a glimmer of hope in a world that had largely ignored her wishes and needs.
The conversation was meaningful. Talk about her experiences, her dreams, and her fears were a focal point. She was cautious, guarded by years of disappointment. But beneath that exterior was a glimmer of hope. By the end of the exchange, she said something that struck a chord: "I want this to be my last placement."
As she settled into her new home, she discovered her passion for weight lifting. What started as a casual interest quickly became a source of empowerment. With the unwavering support of a stable family environment, she began to excel. Her dedication and hard work paid off, and she qualified for the state weightlifting competition.
The newfound stability and support she re-
ceived at home played a crucial role in her success. For the first time, she experienced what it was like to have a family cheering her on, offering encouragement and celebrating her achievements. This sense of belonging and support was transformative.
Competing at such a high level was a testament to her resilience and determination. She had not only excelled in weight lifting but also in overcoming the emotional and psychological scars of her past.
Her story is a powerful reminder of the potential within every foster child, no matter how "undesirable" they may seem. With the right support and environment, they can achieve remarkable things. This young woman's journey from a cycle of rejection to triumph in the sport of weightlifting competition underscores the importance of giving every child a chance to succeed and the transformative power of a loving and supportive home.
Like many states, Texas is in a foster care capacity crisis right now. There is an abundance of children being placed in the system, yet a shortage of all things from foster parents to caseworkers and everything else in between. The State of the State 2023 Annual Report published by TexProtects confirms that (biological) families are not receiving the ongoing preventative support they need and that high staff turnover has led to unmanageable caseload sizes. I find the report both intriguing and enlightening to the harsh realities we are facing both internally and externally within the system. The statistics are staggering. Texas is (or tries to be) reactive to the problems of abuse and neglect, but prevention supports are severely lacking. There are countless children who need loving individuals to step into the role of foster parent and be willing to try and minimize the effects of unwelcome trauma.
https://www.texprotects.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ TexProtects-2023-State-of-the-State_4.4.2023.pdf
When I talk about foster parenting with other people they almost always have the same response, “Oh, I could never do that.” The words always grieve my heart a bit as I silently wonder, “Why not?” It seems to be a response rooted in fear. Fear of what could happen, fear of the unknown, fear of not having enough support, fear of lack of resources, fear of loving and losing, fear of a child’s “issues”, fear of the financial strain it could create, fear of the effects it will have on your biological children and family, fear of false allegations; the list could go on and on. Notice the common denominator in all the things listed: fear, and more specifically, fear of anything negative that could come from fostering.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
These are legitimate fears and certainly considerations that should be kept in mind, but as the verse above alludes to, immeasurable impact can be accomplished when we push fear aside and rise up in power, love, and self-discipline on behalf of a child in need. There may be some tribulation along the way, but truly, when you focus on the GOOD that can come from it, the voice of fear gets silenced quickly. Think of it this way…Childbirth is hard, bringing with it immense pain, but pain is rapidly replaced with joy when we lay
eyes on our new bundle of joy. Child rearing is hard, again with unimaginable challenges, but it doesn’t stop us parents from being overwhelmingly proud when our child triumphs over any of life’s hurdles. You’ll find the things you celebrate with your biological child really aren't all that different from what you’d celebrate with a foster child. So let’s talk about triumphs in the midst of tribulations that I have celebrated with my children, foster, adoptive ,and biological alike, over the years.
Tribulation: Major temper tantrums; the “throw yourself on the floor in public” kind.
Triumph: The first time my child went a whole week without having one.
Tribulation: Wetting the bed.
Triumph: Sleeping through the night without an accident.
Tribulation: Feeling like a true part of the family
Triumph: When each child (in their own time) called me “Mom”
Tribulation: Periods of time when at-home behaviors were tough
Triumph: Behaviors were excellent at school
Tribulation: Being at wit’s end; not knowing how to help my child with said behaviors
Triumph: Answers and resources that came with a long-awaited medical diagnosis.
Tribulation: Not being able to understand anything my child was saying at 4 years old.
Triumph: Speech impediment disappeared overnight with the right speech therapist.
Tribulation: Emotional struggles and mental health issues related to past traumas.
Triumph: Finding a counselor who “clicked” with my child.
Tribulation: Attachment disorders
Triumph: My child hugged me and said “I love you” (it took about 12 years)
Tribulation: Learning we have to work hard; money doesn’t grow on trees
Triumph: Seeing each child get a job and save money for special splurges
Tribulation: Single parenting 6 kids
Triumph: Seeing them complete each grade and graduate high school
Tribulation: Not having a dad around
Triumph: Seeing them be leaders of faith and hard work on the athletic and career fields
Tribulation: Being “wild as a March hare” as a teen/young adult
Triumph: Watching them get focused, start college, and go after their goals
I could go on and on forever. This activity was very therapeutic for myself so I’d encourage you to try it yourself if you find yourself in the thick of a storm. The truth is, in the 18+ years I have been raising kids, there have been a lot of struggles. Life has been hard with unexpected twists and turns; whose isn’t? As I think back over each of the tribulations, the triumphs far outweigh the struggles. There have been many times that I’ve felt desperate and alone as a mother. I’ve felt incapable and decided I was a failure on more than one occasion. God has always been faithful to send me encouraging reminders along the way.
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4
Rejoice in the little things: Like learning through an aptitude test that you and your most difficult child are actually very like-minded. Rejoice in the bigger things: Like receiving a text that says, “I helped a victim of sex-trafficking today. She truly believes it was all her fault and her mom told her it was because she flirts with her eyes. I passed along a saying to her, “I am not a victim; I am a
survivor.” She cried. I just wanted to say thank you and I love you. Thank you for believing me.”
As an educator, I taught many foster children over the years. I love watching them grow up and go on to use their story to impact and empower others. I find them the most inspiring kind of people.
So when you say, “Oh, I could never do that,” my question to you would be, “Why not?” You are stronger than the fear inside of you. With great tribulation will be even greater triumph. Consider helping the capacity crisis and become a foster parent.
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Philippians 4:4-5
About the author:
Melanie Webb is mom to six children, five of whom she adopted through the foster care system. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Mission Righteous Roots, a crisis resource center dedicated to providing free and confidential social services to individuals dealing with life crises as a result of past or present abuse. Melanie is passionate about family restoration and supporting individuals during their most vulnerable moments.
“I have dedicated my life to sharing our story so that others might know that they are not alone. Transparency is important to me. I will share my deepest joys, but I won’t tell you it was all rainbows and unicorns along the journey. The foster care and adoption road involves some steep and treacherous climbs, but when you reach the summit, the views are priceless! I look forward to sharing tips, tricks, and lessons learned for those families walking, or those who are considering embarking, on this same journey!” - Melanie Webb
Want to know more of the story? Check out the next edition of Our Hometown for information on the different types of foster care and adoption methods! Do you have questions related to foster-care or pre/post adoption? Submit them to melanie@righteousroots.org and maybe they’ll make it into the next publication!
RELEVANT REFLECTIONS
By Cheyenne Kizer Freedom
WDig Deeper
John 8 | Galatians 5:13-14 | Galatians 5:1 | Ephesians 3:12 https://www.almondblossomministries.com #freedom #grace #process #testimont #shift #righteousness
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
2 Corinthians 3:17
hen we ask the Lord to set us free from something we can rest assured that He hears us. If our children were tangled up in a mess of barbed wire wouldn't we rush to help them? Absolutely, but we can also understand that it would be a process to get them out of a mess like that. We wouldn't just jerk them out. We would carefully, layer by layer, remove the sharp wire. This is sometimes how our freedom comes about. God frees us layer by layer. Showing us small pieces of our wounded hearts so we can heal and be free from the lies of the enemy.
Have you ever asked the Lord to set you free from something? My favorite question of Jesus is when the blind man came to Him and He said, "What is it you want Me to do for you?" It was most likely obvious he was blind, but Jesus asked him so the man would have to say what he wanted. Sometimes we hesitate to ask for freedom because it is just how it has always been, it seems impossible, or we think we don't deserve the freedom our heart desires. I believe the Lord wants us to ask for freedom, and when we do, something shifts. We don't always see it right then, but in the Kingdom, something happens when we ask!
In the last year, I am learning to appreciate the process of how God answers us. I see that there is this moment of desperate surrender where we ask the Lord for help so He sends the help, but it takes a minute for this to happen. Our timing is not His, and our ways are not His. Last year my dear friend struggled fiercely, and after coming out on the other side I told the spouse that I am learning that we have to "trust the process". I must confess I am not unshakeable in this, but I am learning. It is so beautiful when we stand victoriously on the other side and are able to share what God has done for us. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36
Today I want to encourage you to ask for the thing that your heart desires. Ask for freedom from the addiction, the shame, the pride, the guilt, the regret, and the unworthiness. Whatever it is, ask Him my friend! Let Him begin the process of refining and setting you free. I pray today that you either are filled to fullness with hope of your freedom that He has for you or that you are able to worship ankle deep in His amazing grace, being clothed in His righteousness, and celebrating what our Lord and Savior has done for you! Love you my friend!
Felicia Inman's words about the author: This Relevant Reflections article is featured by my sister in Christ and dearest friend Cheyenne Kizer
Cheyenne is the founder of Almond Blossom Ministries; a dynamic women's ministry whose primary goal is to add value to women in the the church and community by planting seeds of hope and love so that they may know the unending, unlimited, and perfect love of God. The vision is to inspire women of all ages to live a life of excellence while providing connections so they have opportunities to grow in faith. Cheyenne is a native of Gatesville, Texas where she resides and serves alongside her husband, Ricky, and two precious kiddos, London & Rayce. She has a heart for women's ministry and has faithfully shared God's love with others through ministry for almost twenty years.
Each of these events listed is subject to cancelation by their own organizer. Look for a few familiar faces from some of the events that have happened over the course of the past few months. Copyright of photos go to the photographers and everyone who submitted them respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@ gmail.com to be included.
Belton
August 3-4: Bell County Comic Con at the Bell County Expo Center, 10AM. Cosplay, Venders, Panels, & More! Bell County Comic Con is a wholesome family friendly event for our community! BCCC focuses on bringing comics, pop culture, gaming, movies and fantasy together in one EPIC EXPO. There will be artists, superheroes, comic and toy exhibitors, games, cosplay contests, celebrity guests and much more! Come dressed up in your favorite costume, cosplay, or superhero tee and celebrate all that is amazing with us for two epic days!
August 9: Backroads Band LIVE at Fire Street Pizza, 6PM. The Backroads Band is an established country band based in the central Texas area with over 25 yrs. of experience providing dance music to venues from Waco to Brownwood and everywhere in between. The band plays a variety of music from classic to top 40 country, classic rock, and blues. An extensive song list ensures that the Backroads Band has something for everyone. Check out our upcoming shows and come see us. You'll be glad you did.
August 10: Ken Elliot as Elvis at The Beltonian Theatre, 5PM. Elvis will be BACK on the stage at The Beltonian Theatre and will SELL OUT. This concert will pay tribute to the King on the anniversary of his death in 1977!
August 17: Amanda Brown LIVE at Fire Street Pizza, 6PM. Some play music. Some entertain. Amanda does both and it's pure magic.
August 23: Kolby Cooper - Schoepf’s Texas Music Series at Schoepf’s BBQ, 6PM. Still hailing from East Texas, Kolby Cooper is raising his 3 children with his high school sweetheart and wife, Jillian. After releasing his critically acclaimed album “Boy from Anderson County To The Moon”, he made his Grand Ole Opry debut. Marking 4 years in the music business. In that time, he’s garnered millions of streams and sold out shows across the country. The prolific songwriter has an uncanny ability to turn his and his friends’ life stories into relatable songs his rabidly zealous fanbase can’t get enough of. Kolby’s latest release through BBR Music / Wheelhouse Records in partnership with Combustion Music “Kill Me” is an in your face anthem with epic vocals and fiery instruments. This is a new era of Kolby Cooper music.
August 24: Whitlee Casey LIVE at The Commonwealth Texas, 6PM. Mark your calendars! We are excited to announce Whitlee Casey’s first full band show back in 4 years happening Saturday Augustust 24th at The Commonwealth Texas in Belton, TX! Special guest Chris Webster will be kicking the night off at 6pm! Join us for a night of inspiring songs, stories, and fun for the whole family!
August 24: Dan Guevara LIVE at Off the Rails Wine Bar, 5PM. Dan Guevara is a proud native Texan, and a native of Georgetown. Dan’s original songs tell everyday stories, similar to those of Taylor Swift. Dan describes his own music as “universally relatable storytelling, generalized tales of growing up, as well as stories of love lost and passage of time.” He writes pop oriented love songs, performed with a laid back, light-hearted cool style, while sharing his baritone voice.
August 24: Charels Knickerbocker LIVE at Fire Street Pizza, 6PM. Born in New York and raised in Wyoming. This juxtaposition would be the story of singer songwriter Charles Knickerbocker. His musical influences span the decades and genres and can be heard in his take on the hits that he plays. Over his 20 plus-year music career, Charles was part of the songwriting teams for 5 original albums in the groups he performed with.
August 30: Kevin Fowler LIVE at the Central Texas State Fair at the Bell County Expo Center, 5PM. Kevin Fowler’s Southern rock-indebted sound covers hallowed country music bases like drinking, hardship, and family, as heard on 2007’s underdog anthem “Long Line of Losers.”
August 29-September 1: Central Texas State Fair at the Bell County Expo Center, 5PM. This 4 day fair is a must see event! With music and entertainment, world class performances daily, PBR, exciting rides, games, and attractions, the Central Texas State Fair is truly a place where families make memories and traditions begin. This Septemberember, Fair visitors will have the opportunity to discover "The Bulls & Bands" and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of Central Texas!
September 1: PBR Challenger Series - Presented by Johnson Bros. Ford at the Bell County Expo Center, 7PM. True down-and-dirty, inyour-face, hard hitting PBR Challenger Series, brought to you by Johnson Bros. Ford, competi-
tion heads your way at the 2024 Central Texas State Fair! We have two great nights of bull riders fighting against the clock, trying to remain on a bucking bull for the coveted eight seconds. Professional Bull Riding by the PBR Challenger Series!
September 7: Soggy Doggy Day at Harris County Park’s Splash Pad, 10AM. Pups help end the Splash Pad Season in Belton. Right after Harris Community Park’s Splash Pad closes to humans for the season, we fence it off and let dogs in!
September 13-15: 13th Annual Central Texas Longbrow Tattoo Convention 2024 at the Cadence Bank Center, 12PM. Over 100 tattoo artists from all over the country will be tattooing during this event all weekend long!
September 14: Rock N Read with Kris and Gin at Blackbird Books & Spirits, 11AM. Join us for rock read! Music, reading, candy, pizza, name a better! Free book for the first 15. We are reading Hello Harvest Moon by Ralph Fletcher
September 15: Killeenest Whip Car show at the Cadence Bank Center, 2PM. This event will be held in the parking lot of the Cadence Bank Center during the CT Lowbrow Art & tattoo Convention. Admission is FREE for all ages and is open to the public. All custom cars are welcome! Lowriders, Slabs, Hot Rods, Classic Cars, Foreign, Domestic and more will all be competing for 2 GRAND PRIZES! $1000 of prizes awarded to the winners of The Killeenest Whip and the People's Choice! Vehicle registration is only $20. We'll begin parking the cars and regeneration at 12PM, the show will start at 2PM, voting will go on until 5PM, and the winner will be announced at 6PM.
September 15: Erik Stucky Unplugged at Esquire Office Suites, 2PM. Growing up in the rugged mountains of western Colorado, Erik Stucky picked up his first mandolin at the age of 8. Following the release of his debut album Stray Clouds in 2017, Stucky packed up his instruments and a single suitcase and pointed his pickup for Nashville. Influenced heavily by New Grass Revival and Lyle Lovett, the Americana artist proved his ability to cross genres from Country, to Soul, to Jazz, all the while keeping an unmistakable writing style and voice with his sophomore album, Good Vibrations (2021). Performing on the mandolin and guitar, Stucky combines his passion for lyric writing, folk instrumentation, and big band arrangements.
September 21: Charles Knickerbocker LIVE at Fire Street Pizza, 6PM. Born in New York and raised in Wyoming. This juxtaposition would be the story of singer songwriter Charles Knickerbocker. His musical influences span the decades and genres and can be heard in his take on the hits that he plays. Over his 20 plus-year music career, Charles was part of the songwriting teams for 5 original albums in the groups he performed with.
September 27-28: Belton’s Bacon, Blues, & Brews Kickoff Party! at 119 N East St, 5PM. A festival that features a bacon cook-off, local craft beer selections and music ranging from Fort Hood's talented soldiers to The Damn Torpedoes! (a Tribute to Tom Petty!) to Texas blues artists. Visit Belton's Historic Courthouse Square on September. 27 for the kickoff party and prepare to stimulate your senses with the aroma, tastes, sights and sounds of this unique festival! The festival continues on September. 28 with the bacon cook-off, local selections of brew and great blues music from some great Texas musicians!
September 28: Zach Williams Revival Nights Tour at the Cadence Bank Center, 7PM. Get ready to experience a revival! Zach Williams is hitting the road this fall with friends CAIN, Matt Maher, and Ben Fuller for the Revival Nights Tour! This is more than just a concert — it’s a night of revival and renewal. Come as you are and experience the transforming power of music, worship, and community. Whether you’re seeking hope, healing, or simply a night of incredible music, Zach Williams’ Revival Nights Tour is sure to be an experience like no other. Get your tickets now!
October 5: Bell County Farmers Market at 411 E Central Ave, 7AM. Come help support our local farmers and get a chance to buy locallygrown produce and goods!
October 12: Bell County Farmers Market at 411 E Central Ave, 7AM. Come help support our local farmers and get a chance to buy locallygrown produce and goods!
October 12-13: Back alley Bootleggers Fest at Blackbird Books & Spirits, 6PM. Live music, food fit for the trailer park and brews all around! Admission for adults is $10 and includes a sampler & is $5 for the little 'uns.
Copyright of photos go to the photographers and everyone who submitted them respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
October 12: NPC Texas Cup Championships at Cadence Bank Center in the Garth Arena, 8:30AM. National Qualifier Bodybuilding Contest. Men’s show prejudging starts at 830AM and finals starts at 5PM. The Women’s Show Prejudging starts at 12PM with finals at 730PM. The All Day Pass for Adults is $100, children’s is $30 and includes general seating for all Men’s & Women’s Shows.
October 19: Fall Specialty Show by the Red River Standard Schnauzer Club of Texas at Cadence Bank Center, 6AM. This event is an OPNC. An Open Show is an informal American Kennel Club sanctioned conformation event at which Championship points are not earned but rather Certificate of Merit (CM) points are awarded to this introductory AKC conformation suffix title. The Open Shows are events at which dog clubs, judges, stewards, and exhibitors and their dogs gain experience needed for licensed events.
October 25: Dan Whitaker LIVE at Fire Street Pizza, 6PM. Dan Whitaker plays a show with his trio at Fire Street Pizza! Songwriter Dan Whitaker is a lifelong musician with over 30 years of performing and 14 albums of original songs to his name. Noted for his “smooth world-wise voice” and well-crafted tunes, he recently moved from his longtime home Chicago to start a new chapter in Texas, where his outsider ways seem to fit right in. Whitaker’s kind of country music is shot through with blues, jazz, and folk, a freewheeling style that takes you on a journey through life’s ups and downs with humor and insight.
Comanche
August 2: JC Mize LIVE at Stone Eagle Beer Garden, 830PM. Mark your calendars for Augustust 2nd because we're coming back to Stone Eagle Beer Garden in Comanche, Texas! Get ready for another night of sensational music, amazing beer, and the best crowd ever.
August 17: The Remedy LIVE at Stone Eagle Beer Garden, 830PM. Join The Remedy at Stone Eagle Beer Garden in Comanche! Admission is $10. The Remedy is a Brownwood TX based cover band. The Remedy focuses on Pop, Rock, & a little Country. There's sure to be something for everyone!
August 30: Pat Waters LIVE at Stone Eagle Beer Garden, 830PM. Male country music performer of the year at the 2018 Producer's Choice Awards,
Pat Waters is the true definition of country music. He's shared the stage with country legends and has graced the Texas Music Charts Top 20 multiple times. Whether in front of thousands or an intimate show of a few, his genuine classic honky-tonk style will catch your eye every time. His big Texas personality has earned him countless friends along the trail and a spot on a new TV show titled "Drive Across Texas with Pat Waters". Saddle up friends, you don't want to miss this ride.
September 28: Luke Prater at Melody Oaks Ranch, 12PM. A Texas native, Prater has been playing the guitar since he was in diapers and began singing at church as soon as they would let him on stage. His music is uniquely melodic, and guitar focused, reminiscent of the great guitar trios from the 90’s. Prater first came onto the music scene in 2018 with the independent release of a self-titled EP that introduced fans to his authentic sound and style of delivering music. Since then, he has cut his teeth touring and playing upwards of 100 shows a year. Although he is still fresh to the music scene, the country crooner has been honing his craft with the tenacity of a seasoned veteran for years and the possibilities for this young artist are endless.
September 28: Zak Webb at Melody Oaks Ranch, 7PM. Zak Webb is an Americana Soul Sensation known for captivating crowds with astounding talent & powerful performances.
Copperas Cove
August 3: Cove & Coffee NAPA at 234 Cove Terrace Shopping Ctr, 8AM. Come and enjoy free coffee and donuts!
August 3: HEB Plus Summer Run to Fun at the Copperas Cove South Park Pool, 8AM. What better way to kick off the summer than with our Summer Run to Fun 5k! The Summer Run to Fun 5k is a chip-timed event that starts at South Park found at 2602 Dennis Dr. in Copperas Cove. You will start at South Park, travel down the walking trail, turn right at the playground and left onto Dennis; turn left on Hughes; left on Boland St.; left on Mattie, follow turn right on Dennis travel down Dennis till you reach the South Park Pool turn right into the parking lot of the swimming pool, follow the trail into the park, turn right onto the walking trail to the loop, loop back around and backtrack down the trail till you reach the bridge, turn right and go over the bridge, continue to follow the walking
Copyright of photos go to the photographers and everyone who submitted them respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
trail to the finish line. The first 100 participants receive a shirt. You must select size when registering. If there is not an option to select a size, then they have already been claimed.
August 10: Cove House Classic at the Copperas Cove City Park, 7AM. The Cove House Classic, featuring the Hill Country 100K, is one of the major fund raisers for our shelter and free clinic. All proceeds will go to support our efforts to provide quality housing and medical care to those in need. We have Several routes from 26-63 miles. On site registration will start at 6 am and the race will start at 7 am. There will be several water and fruit stations on the route with several routes to choose from. All routes will be marked with roadside signage at each turn. Protein bars, water and Gatorade available at the finish.
August 17: Gallop or Trot 5K at the Copperas Cove City Park, 8AM. Whether you want to Gallop or Trot, come join the fun! About This Event at the Gallop or Trot 5K you'll run through the city park and the gently rolling hills in Copperas Coves residential area. This race is part of the Cen-Tex Race Points Series! The Course The Gallop or Trot 5K starts at the Copperas Cove Civic Center in City Park, turns left on West Avenue B, then left onto Courtney Lane, right onto Dekort Circle, left on North 23rd Street, left on Fairbanks, then right onto Courtney Lane, turn around at marked spot, right onto West Avenue B, right into City Park, winding around back to the finish line at the Civic Center.
August 24: Copperas Cove Food Truck 5K at Taste of Cove Food Truck Park, 8AM. The Entry Fee is $35, registration closes at midnight on Augustust 21st, 2019. Race starts at 8:00 AM at the Copperas Cove Civic Center. Shirts not guaranteed after Augustust 9th, 2019. NO same day registration. Race bag pick up is on race day Includes T-Shirt, Parking Pass for Food Truck Festival, Beer Voucher (21+) & more!
September 8: Tea Party at Grill Country Texas BBQ, 1PM. Join us for a delightful afternoon filled with tea, cakes, and good company at Grill Country Texas BBQ. Get ready to sip on a variety of teas, indulge in scrumptious cakes, and enjoy the charming ambiance of our event. Whether you're a tea aficionado or just looking for a relaxing time, this event is perfect for you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to unwind and socialize with fellow tea lovers. We can't wait to see you there!
September 21: Tupelo to Vegas - A Tribute to the King of Rock & Roll at The Cove Theater, 6PM. Dubbed the "Prince of Rock 'n' Roll," David Allen has been performing his tribute to the "King of Rock 'n' Roll," Elvis Presley, since the year 2000. David has been ranked in the Top Ten in the World by Elvis Presley Enterprises since 2011. David has a great passion for enriching his tribute to Elvis so that he may provide top-notch performances for Elvis' fans every time. David has honed his craft of performing Elvis’ 50’s start-up career, his movie years, the ’68 comeback special, and the concert years. As part of David's shows, he enjoys educating his audience about Elvis. “I like to teach my audience things that they may not know about Elvis or that they would be surprised to know." From the hand gestures, to the quivering lip, to the swiveling hips, and of course the powerful voice, David rocks the socks off of his audience and keeps them begging for more. David’s fans have dubbed him the “Prince of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” “In each one of my performances, I like to stay as authentic as possible. I like to make sure that I do the moves the way he did them, lift my lip the way he did." Opening for David Allen will be 50’s Elvis Tribute Sensation Hunter Cole!!!! All tickets include access to our exclusive after party at San Miguel’s!
September 28: 10th Annual Pink Warrior Dash at Copperas Cove City Park, 430PM. Join us for the 10th annual Pink Warrior Dash in partnership with Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful.
October 5: 2nd Annual OSDCT Vet-Fest at Copperas Cove City Park Complex, 10AM. OSDCT’s Vet Fest brings a community event to celebrate Veteran Owned Businesses, Veteran Owned Food Trucks, and Veteran Service Organizations in Central Texas to raise awareness and funds for OSDCT’s mission to aid homeless veterans and their families.
October 5: Oscar’s Market at Taste of Cove Food Truck Park, 3PM. Oscar's Market is an outdoor market created for young entrepreneurs to help brand, market, and sell their products. People aged 6-20 years old are invited to register for Oscar's Market for a chance to compete for the top three awards. Our top 3 Winners will receive individual scholarships, and our top 2 winners will be awarded a 10x10' spot at our upcoming Rabbit Fest, which brings in over 40,000 visitors to Copperas Cove.
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October 12: 3rd Annual Day for Kids - Car Show at Boys & Girls Club of Copperas Cove, 10AM. Join us for a day of family fun as we celebrate our 3rd Annual Day for Kids & enjoy some of Copperas Cove's finest cars!
October 19: Altrusa of Copperas Cove Fall Golf Classic - Aiming for Literacy at hills of Cove Golf Course, 8AM. The 22nd Annual Altrusa International of Copperas Cove, TX, Inc. We expect a minimum participation of approximately 100 people, made up of avid golfers, community leaders, business sponsors, and volunteers. On behalf of Altrusa of Copperas Cove, TX, we invite you to partner with us in this year’s Fall Golf Classic. Proceeds from this event are used to sponsor service projects, with a focus on literacy, throughout the Copperas Cove community. These service projects include purchasing and distributing books to all local Head Start children as well as other primary grade level students in the Copperas Cove Independent School District, collecting and distributing new clothing for students in need, providing recreation and large print reading material for local nursing home residents and awarding scholarships to graduating seniors. Come join us for a fun-filled day!
October 26-27: 2024 Copperas Cove Fall-OWeen Festival at Copperas Cove City Park Complex. The event is free, however, there is a $5 parking fee. Come join us for an evening full of free kids activities to include bounce houses, trick or treating, games, and tons of arts/crafts with pumpkin decorating! Food trucks will be on site and a small pop up vendor market as well. Costume Contest will take place at the Fester's Stage (by the duck pond) at 6:00 pm. Online registration only starting on Octoberober 1st and will end on Octoberober 25th. There will be no onsite registration. Prizes given to contest winners!
Canfills Gap
October 19: 2024 Bacon Bash at Horny Toad Bar & Grill, 4PM. Get your ticket now for the biggest Bacon Fest in the nation, benefitting children with Type One Diabetes and Niki Warms the Cold! Bacon Bash Texas has been able to raise over $839,000 for our supported charities since 2012! Your Bacon Bash Texas ticket includes everything listed below, and the satisfaction that you partied for a cause!
Dublin
August 31: Andrea Goodman at Lucky Vines
Vineyard & Winery, 4PM. Andrea Goodman is an artist/songwriter from the Bluegrass. She lives in Texas and writes and plays country music.
October 5: Ryder Grimes at Red Barrel Bar and Grill, 1PM. Born and raised in the rural Northeast Texas town of Poetry (Population 2,069), Ryder Grimes was raised doing things the country way. On stage, since he was 11 years old, Ryder grew up with burning love and passion for country music. Whether it was his mom playing it in the kitchen or his dad playing it on stage, Ryder fell in love with it from the start.
October 5-6: Wheels of Hope 3rd Annual Car and Bike Show at Red Barrel Bar and Grill, 11AM. Join us for the third annual car and bike show! Car and Bike registration is $20 + a $0.50 service fee. Vendor registration is $50 + a $1.25 service fee. Concert tickets are $20 + a $0.50 service fee.
October 12: Andrea Goodman at Lucky Vines Vineyard & Winery, 4PM. Andrea Goodman is an artist/songwriter from the Bluegrass. She lives in Texas and writes and plays country music.
Early
September 28: CFLR 10th Annual Color Run 5K - 80’s Vibes at Early Town Center, 9AM. Entries received before Septemberember 7th are guaranteed a T-Shirt. The race fee is $30 but will increase to $40 after Septemberember 27th. Be sure to bring the family to help support Suicide Prevention Month! Runners and walkers of all fitness levels welcome!
October 26: Have a Monster of a Time with Love is Blind at the Los Trece Halloween Bash! at Los Trece, 9PM. Love Is Blind will be rocking all the monster hits you love from the 80's, 90's, and 2000's for your twisted Halloween Entertainment!!
Evant
October 20: Farm & Market Day at Evant City Square, 9AM. Evant Market Days are open to unique vendors from across Texas. This event is free to the public.
Gatesville
August 3: Gary P. Nunn with Texas Connection at Bare Bones BBQ, 8PM. The classic hitmakers return to Bare Bones BBQ on Augustust 3rd. Presale tickets are $22, VIP tickets are $70.
August 23: Hayden Haddock with Bellamy Bros at Bare Bones BBQ, 7PM. Country Music sing-
Copyright of photos go to the photographers and everyone who submitted them respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
er/songwriter Hayden Haddock is headed back to the one and only Bare Bones BBQ with the living legends, The Bellamy Brothers!
October 26: Gatesville Halloween Boozaar Celebration at the Courthouse Square, 6PM. This annual event is free and open to the public! Come dress up for Halloween and bring your little ones to Trick or Treat around Gatesville’s courthouse square. Enjoy food, games, costume contests, candy, and more!
Hamilton
August 2: 2nd Annual Youth Super Bowl & Open 5D, Circle T Arena, 10AM. Open 5D (TO ALL AGES): $1,000 Added Money with three race sessions; contestants may enter all three sessions. We even have a Night OWL session at 9 PM on Saturday!
August 3-4: Heart of Texas Showdown - Xtreme Roping at Circle T Arena, 8AM. The Heart of Texas Showdown is the place to rope. Come join us in Hamilton, Texas at the Circle T Arena.
August 31: 2024 Dove Run 5K in front of El Jardin Mexican Restaurant, 8AM. Join us on opening weekend of Dove season for the annual Hamilton Dove Run 5K! Starting on Bell St. in downtown Hamilton. The Dove Run begins at 8:00 am. The Fun Run begins at 8:10 am. Entries in the 5K are $25. T-shirt deadline is Augustust 16th. Cross Country runners are $10. Race day registration is on Bell St in front of El Jardin (200 North Bell Street) from 6:45-7:45 am. The 5K race begins at 8:00am.
August 31: Ed Vargas and his ‘Positively Country’ Band at Circle T Arena, 9PM. Eat, drink, dance, repeat!
September 28-29: Texas Cloud Climbers 77th Annual & Texas Scale Champs at Hamilton Municipal Airport. Texas Cloud Climbers is a free flight model airplane club.
September 27-29: Women’s GLOW Conference at Living Waters Worship Center, 6PM. Come in and register at Living Waters Worship Center in Hamilton, Texas at 6pm on Friday, Septemberember 27th. The conference starts at 7pm. Saturday, join us early in the morning at 7:30am for breakfast and stay with us all day long for worship, lessons, food, and fellowship as we grow spiritually through learning from the Word of God from Karen Porter (author/speaker),
Kris King (author/speaker), and Donna Smith (speaker/LWWC Women’s Pastor). The conference lasts from 9am - 9pm on Saturday. On Sunday, come join us at Living Waters Worship Center for a recap and worship at 10:30am! Cost for registration is $85, which includes all meals Saturday, snacks Friday, T-Shirts, and attendance to the conference. There will be a boutique open during the conference hours in the foyer of the church with proceeds to help support different ministries. Please, come and join us! We welcome any and all women from any and all walks of life as well as from any point in their faith walk.
October 2: Mona Gloff Invitational at Perry Country Club, 9AM. A race with teams consisting of groups from junior high and high school cross country teams. You can have combined or separate teams, but if you combine you must run up a division. This meet is on a golf course that provides rolling terrain, excellent spectator viewpoints, and superb running surfaces. The Top 10 individuals will receive medals.
October 9-13: Prime Finals Team Roping at Circle T Arena, 5PM. A Texas Team Roping event.
October 12: Hooves & Hearts Fall Workshop at Southern Twang Second Chance Ranch, 4PM. Join us for "Hooves & Hearts," a special event dedicated to empowering first-time horse owners with responsible ownership practices. Learn essential skills for caring for your equine companion, including hoof health and recognizing common illnesses. Meanwhile, your children can enjoy a range of fun and educational activities tailored just for them. As a token of our appreciation, each junior rescuer will receive a backpack gift filled with items essential for a day at the horse rescue. Plus, indulge in delicious snow cones, take part in sack races and horseshoe games, and much more! Don't miss this opportunity to bond with horses, learn valuable skills, and create lasting memories for the whole family.
Hico
August 10: Red Shahan at HiCo Hall - Wedding & Event Venue, 7PM. Red Shahan is a future American Legend with a potential to conquer the world… at least his wife, three kids, and close friends know so. Born in Bluff Dale, Texas back sometime in the early 80s, Red is an avid outdoors person and dedicated Leatherman owner. He loves a good Pachanga and can do several jumping jacks in a row. He used to rodeo at
Copyright of photos go to the photographers and everyone who submitted them respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
Western Texas College and got his start singing Country songs in Lubbock, Texas. Heavily influenced by AC/DC and The Indigo Girls, his new songs and record sound nothing like them at all. Red is the real deal. Only a fool would miss an opportunity to dive into his songs.
September 7: Summer Dean at HiCo HallWedding & Event Venue, 7PM. Texas-based recording artist Summer Dean is as authentic as they come. The acclaimed singer-songwriter owns the stage from the moment she struts into the spotlight, captivating audiences across the country with her sly wit, Southern charm, and soulful songcraft.
September 7: Blake Dagley at Green Canoe Outfitters and Beer Garden, 7PM. Blake Dagley is a singer/songwriter that does a little bit of country and a little bit of southern rock. Think of it if Matchbox Twenty was a country band.
September 15: Ryan Glenn at HiCo Hall - Wedding & Event Venue, 2PM. North Texas singersongwriter Ryan Glenn's unique style and sound has been compared to a wide range of music icons, spanning from Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly to Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. His live show is an experience that is anything but typical. Blending the best of Rockabilly, Texas Blues and Country, Ryan Glenn and his band The Honky Tonk Heat has a unique sound, presented with energy and precision. The band's original approach to classic styles has landed them on stages all over Texas from Gruene Hall to the State Fair of Texas, where audiences are surprised to learn that this accomplished entertainer is merely 22 years old. Though, Ryan is a third-generation full-time musician and was raised in live music, his musical journey truly began at the age of 16, when he was discovered by his mentor, Texas music icon Kevin Geill (Two Tons of Steel). The friendship prompted Ryan to begin writing and recording his own music and presented opportunities for support spots and eventually headlining shows across Texas.
October 13: Mary-Charlotte Young at HiCo Hall - Wedding & Event Venue, 3PM. MaryCharlotte Young is an Appalachia-born, Low Country-raised Texas-based song maker adept at the dark arts of Murder Ballads & Southern Gothic Americana. The music has the bones of traditional country & folk but the spirit of vintage rock and soul. Whether it's your feet or your heart, Young's songs are built to move
you. While this dAugusthter of the South pens the stories of everyday misfits, she squeezes the beauty out of ugliness. She finds the profound in the mundane. Borrowing from the American musical landscape to capture a sense of nostalgia, beauty, and grit makes her sound equal parts familiar+fresh+unabashed+raw. Mary-Charlotte Young will pull on your heartstrings ...and maybe cuss a little.
October 25: Pickin’ & Thriftin’ at HiCo Hall - Wedding & Event Venue, 1PM. Octoberober 25th will be two whole years since they've opened their doors to the public and this year, they're doing something snazzy! If you are a vendor interested in being a part of this event, email us at jody@hicohall.com. This event will have Antiques, Vintage, Jewelry, Thrifting, and Music! If that doesn't do it for ya... Imagine grabbing a delicious cocktail and listening to some live tunes while shoppin' around the Hall!
Killeen
August 2-4: Caribbean Afr’am Festival at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center, 9AM. Get ready for a weekend explosion! Augustust 2nd starts things off with A Taste of the Caribbean & International Food Contest - a family friendly tasting contest, dominos tournament, spades, chess, checkers, and more! Augustust 3rd moves the celebration outdoors with paint & powder. This event is being hosted by Songhai Bamboo roots Cultural Association.
August 3: Pop Up & Eat at Killeen Civic and Conference Center, 2PM. Events with Amey will be hosting her 14th pop-up shop. We want all Small Businesses to join us. We are looking for vendors to set up for customers…Display your work!!! This is a BIG pop-up shop and networking event. Each pop-up shop and we're doing it again bigger and better. We have spaces available to be a Vendor at Events with Amey Venue. This event is to bring small businesses together to network and showcase their work. We invite business owners, vendors, children’s activity vendors, food trucks, and entertainers to join us to present your skills. We are excited to have you and your family come out!
August 16-17: Joe Torry & Guy Torry LIVE at Twice as Funny Comedy Lounge, 930PM. Don't miss the Torry Brothers, Joe Torry and Guy Torry live on stage this fall at the number one comedy lounge in Texas! Early Bird tickets on sale now online at TwiceAsFunnyComedyLounge.
Copyright of photos go to the photographers and everyone who submitted them respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
com. This will be a once in a lifetime event you DON"T WANT TO MISS!
August 24: Killeen Poetry Slam/Rythm & Vibes Showcase at Killeen Civic and Conference Center, 5PM. Back by popular demand, it is the Killeen Poetry Slam. KILLEEN POETRY SLAM presents WORD FEST. Join National Poets as they bless the mic with words that will leave the audience spellbound and clinging to the edge of your seats. Your hosts are Poet Slam Artist Shake the Poet and KAS Poetess. Before the POETRY SLAM, enjoy a PRESHOW that will bring a fresh and unique tone of blending melodies produced by our local musical artists, Rhythm & Vibes. Doors open at 5PM, the preshow starts at 530PM, Poetry slam begins at 6PM.
August 31: Reel Rhythm Music & Film Fest at Killeen Civic and Conference Center, 11AM. Welcome to the Reel Rhythm Music & Film Fest! Join us on Sat, August 31, 2024, at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center for a day filled with music and film. Get ready to groove to live performances from talented artists and enjoy screenings of independent films. Did we mention the Foodapalooza?! 15+ Food Trucks AND 20+ Vendors? This will be a night to remember! This event is perfect for music and film enthusiasts looking for a fun day out. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to experience the magic of Reel Rhythm! See you there!
September 14: Frozen, Jr. Audition Workshop at Central Texas Theatre at Vive Les Arts Societe, 9AM. This is an audition workshop for ages 5-18. There are two sessions of this workshop (9:00am11:00am & 11:30am-1:30pm). This workshop costs $10 to attend.
September 15: Sunday Jazz Extravaganza at Killeen Arts and Activities Center, 1230PM. You asked for the return of the Gospel Brunch and now you have a Jazz Extravaganza!!! Enjoy the vendor shopping, awesome catered dinner, and romantic soothing entertainment. A part of the proceeds will be donated to a chosen nonprofit organization.
September 23: Sip & Chat - Parent Support Group at 3120 W Stan Schlueter Loop (Starbucks), 10AM. For Parents and Caregivers of Individuals with Special Needs. Join us! Let's learn, talk, relax, and lAugusth with others who "get it."
October 5-6: Giganticon 2024 at Killeen Civic and Conference Center, 10AM. Giganticon is
a celebration of HEROES, from ones that jump off the page of your favorite comic book to those everyday heroes that serve our Country and protect our Freedoms! Come Celebrate with us during the best weekend of the year and throw on your favorite costume, you won't want to miss out!
October 19-20: Operation Overlord II at Airsoft Texas 10, 10AM. Welcome to OPERATION: OVERLORD II! Get ready for an epic airsoft battle happening at Airsoft Texas 10 on Sat October 19, 2024, starting at 10:00 AM. Grab your gear, round up your squad, and prepare for an adrenaline-pumping day of tactical gameplay. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newbie looking to dive into the action, this event is perfect for all skill levels. Don't miss out on the chance to test your skills, make new friends, and experience the thrill of intense airsoft combat. See you on the battlefield!
Lampasas
August 17: Music at the Museum at Lampasas County Museum, 6PM. The Lampasas County Museum invites you to join them for Music at the Museum on Augustust 17th! They will be featuring some of your local favorites and introduce you to artists you haven’t yet heard. We hope you can attend and thank you for your support of the Lampasas County Museum.
August 31: Casey Donahew at Putters & Gutters Fun Center, 8PM. Over the last 18 years, Casey Donahew has risen from a favorite on the local Texas music scene, racking up 21 #1 singles, to a nationally hot touring act who consistently sells out venues all across the country.
September 7: Sam Riggs at Putters & Gutters Fun Center, 7PM. Sam Riggs was flying a singleengine plane from Austin, Texas, to San Angelo in the spring of 2017 when he heard the oddest sound: Nothing. Catastrophic engine failure. He’d lost all power and had about 6,500 feet to figure out how to escape a potentially fatal problem. “There was,” he admits, “a moment of panic, a moment that felt very surreal.” But Riggs pulled it together. With the help of air traffic control, he found an abandoned airstrip on a Lone Star cattle ranch and touched down without a scratch. One of his most perilous moments ended up becoming one of his smoothest landings as a pilot. It’s something of a metaphor for Riggs’ life. He’s a wild live performer, an inveterate risk-taker and an enthusiastic adventurer. As a self-sustaining, independent singer/songwriter, he’s taken a
Copyright of photos go to the photographers and everyone who submitted them respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
leap of faith on more than one occasion, always willing to back up his plunges with a voracious amount of work. So, he shrugs it off a bit when he thinks about how close he came to the edge in his aviation exercise. “That’s just how my life has always gone,” Riggs says with a lAugusth. “I’ve sort of become used to it.” The sense of daring is a key element in Riggs’ brand of country, a rockinfused sound with a chip on its sonic shoulder from a guy who counts Garth Brooks, Foo Fighters, George Jones and Blink-182 among his influences. Between the swampy, thumping hardrock crunch of “Angola’s Lament,” the mysterious darkness of “Long Shot” and the feverish snarl of “High On A Country Song,” all of those raucous, rebellious elements find their place inside the boundary-pushing attitude on the two albums and two EPs Riggs has created on his own dime since 2010. The music has become an essential piece of the red-dirt scene in Texas, though it’s earning a distinct spot in the national consciousness as well. Riggs’ last album – the 2016 release Breathless, distributed by indie Thirty Tigers –debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard Country Albums chart.
September 21: Western Night on Western Street Dance at the Lampasas County Museum, 6PM. Save the date for Lampasas County’s annual street dance!
October 5: 6th Annual Puerto Rican Hog Roast at Texas Legato Winery, 5PM. Texas Legato Winery is putting the hog on a spit and roasting it on the grounds. Come out and enjoy live music and great food!
McGregor
September 21: McGregor Founder’s Day 5K at 500 Main St, 730AM. This is a competitive and fun 5K in McGregor to kick off the festivities at Founder's Day. It will start on McGregor's Madison Avenue (just off the main street) between 5th and 6th streets. The race will start at 7:30 AM on Saturday, Septemberember 21st, 2023. There will be medals awarded to the top 3 competitors in each age division. "Goody bags" and a t-shirt will be available to all competitors that register by Septemberember 11th. Age divisions will be 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 and up. The entry fee is $27.50 per runner. We will have an awards ceremony after the race at about 8:40 PM. Come to kick off Founder's Day with a fun run through town. All division winners will be announced at the Founder's Day Stage at 10:15 am. Please join us
there if you are a winner, or just want to celebrate Founder's Day in McGregor!
September 21: Founder’s Day Car Show at The Exchange Event Center, 11AM. Welcome to this year’s McGregor Founders Day Car Show! This year will be outstanding as we will be having trophies and cash prizes and more! Come on down to this year’s car show, the entry fee will be $10 cash only and all entries will be donated to the McGregor Movement!
Stephenville
August 5-9: AWOMMA at First United Methodist Church, 9AM. A Week of Making Music and Art. AWOMMA '24 will be a week to focus on worshipping God through our various gifts. There will be lots of opportunities to explore your gifts and talents, and how those gifts can be used by God. Children will learn how to sing in a group, how dance can be used in worship, make AMAZING artwork, ring hand chimes and handbells, and more!!! The camp is free and open to children who have entering Kindergarten through 6th grade.
August 23-24: Keaton Kyzar at Blackies Gas Stop, 6PM. Keaton Kyzar is a part of a Texas Country Band in the Texas music circuit, marking their brand wherever they go. Their shows consist of a focus on original songs but also mix it up with cover songs the crowds love! Come check them out and you’ll be sure to have a good time!
September 6-8: Western Swing Festival at Stephenville City Park, 4PM. Saddle up and swing into history! Join us in honoring the Father of Western Swing, Milton Brown, at our Western Swing Festival in Stephenville City Park!
September 12: Coleman Jennings at Twisted J Live, 7PM. Characterized by seamless vibrato, narrative-driven lyrics, and melodic arrangements, Austin-based Coleman Jennings has created a vigorous and distinct sound. Resembling that of traditional outlaw country paired with the upbeat progressions of classic rock, folk, and blues - Coleman has managed to fashion a sound that is inherently familiar, yet undeniably fresh. Before releasing a first album, Coleman had already managed to develop a dedicated fanbase thanks to his unique sound and wise-beyondhis-years songwriting. 2024 will see the release of Coleman’s first solo EP, Wildflowers & Tears, as well as tour dates and more.
Copyright of photos go to the photographers and everyone who submitted them respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
September 14: Ole 60 at Twisted J Live, 9PM. Kentucky-based Ole 60 jumped from obscurity to success when their debut release, 20203’s foursong Three Twenty Four EP, suddenly topped the charts of several music streaming services, outstripping the plays of many major acts on the strength of their single “Smoke and a Light.” The group, who describe themselves as “Not your father’s country band,” play a hard-edged, emotionally powerful blend of classic country, southern rock, contemporary folk, and grungeera rock. As word spread about the downbeat yet anthemic “Smoke and a light,” the three Twenty Four EP made Ole 60 rising stars in independent country, with the single “Brother Joe” showing they had more stories to tell.
October 5: Nature fest 2024 at Bosque River Trail Nature Center, 10AM. Enjoy booths and activities for kids and adults! Learn about reptiles, skins & skulls, bluebirds, fishing, butterflies, pottery, painting, groundwater, rain, telescopes and microscopes and more! This year's event includes the participating organizations of Texas Parks & Wildlife, Erath County Master Gardeners, Fossil Rim, Lake Brownwood State Park, Lake Minerals State Park, Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, NRCS / USDA, Ranger College, Tarleton Student Wildlife Society, the Texas Bluebird Society, and the Prairie Oaks Chapter Members.
October 24-26: Keith Sykes Songwriter Festival 2024 at Melody Mountain Ranch, 5PM. Melody Mountain Ranch is proud to host Keith Sykes songwriter weekend once again this coming Octoberober. Last year was a huge success and we couldn't be more excited to bring this event back! Keith Sykes, the Memphis singersongwriter whose compositions have been recorded by Jimmy Buffett, John Prine, the Judds, Jerry Jeff Walker and George Thorogood. Sykes co-wrote "Volcano," a major Buffett hit, and has performed on "Saturday Night Live" and "Austin City Limits". Keith will bring some of his favorite songwriters over three days to Melody Mountain Ranch. Shows will include Bloody Mary morning sets, afternoon songwriter interviews, nightly songwriter performances followed by afterhours campfire jams.
October 26: Stephenville Lions Club Spooktacular at Stephenville City Park, 8AM. The Stephenville Lions Club is proud to announce our 15th annual Spooktacular, a multi race event
including a Fun Run, 5K, 10K and a half marathon - appropriately named, given the date, the Halloween Half. Proceeds will help local youth & vision projects, scholarships and the Texas Lions Camp. All Half, 10K & 5K finishers will receive a participation medal. We also award medals for men's and women's overall and age group placers (we do not allow "double dipping"). The start/ finish line, along with food, fun and festivities, will be headquartered at the Stephenville City Park. Entries received on or before Octoberober 4, 2024, are guaranteed a t-shirt. We will try to provide shirts to all participants, but entries received after Octoberober 4 are not guaranteed a shirt.
Temple
August 2-4: Mean Girls Jr. at Temple Civic Theater, 730PM. The Plastics have considered Broadway Junior worthy of their presence in Mean Girls JR! This “fetch” musical from book writer Tina Fey (30 Rock), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and composer Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) is packed with keen wit, an undeniably catchy score, and a sincere message for everyone. Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. How will this naïve newbie rise to the top of the popularity pecking order? By taking on The Plastics, a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. Cady and her friends devise a “Revenge Party” to end Regina’s reign with Cady going undercover as an aspiring Plastic. When the lines between the real Cady and her Plastic self-get blurred, she must find her way back to herself and her true friends. For ages 11-18. Tuition is $250 and includes 2 tickets and a T-Shirt.
August 4: Santa Fe Jazz Jam - Norm Bergeron at Treno Pizzeria & Taproom, 1PM. The Santa Fe Jazz Jam brings an opportunity for middle school, high school, college, or amateur instrumentalists and singers to jam on stage with a professional jazz rhythm section arranged by Temple College’s own Norm Bergeron. This is a FREE event, so bring your talent and instrument to show off. If you don’t play but want to enjoy some incredible music over a wood fired zaa, show up on the lawn and kick back!
August 7: Kid’s Night - Wonka at Treno Pizzeria & Taproom, 6PM. Kids get a FREE kid pizza with each adult entree purchase. This week we are watching Wonka. Movie starts at 6PM!
Copyright of photos go to the photographers and everyone who submitted them respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
August 24: Whitlee Casey at The Commonwealth Texas, 6PM. Mark your calendars! We are excited to announce Whitlee Casey’s first full band show back in 4 years happening Saturday Augustust 24th at The Commonwealth Texas in Belton, TX! Special guest Chris Webster will be kicking the night off at 6pm! Join us for a night of inspiring songs, stories, and fun for the whole family!
August 28: Kid’s Night - Diary of a Wimpy Kid at treno Pizzeria & Taproom, 6PM. Kids get a FREE kid pizza with each adult entree purchase. This week we are watching Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Movie starts at 6PM!
September 1: Santa Fe Jazz Jam - Norm Bergeron at Treno Pizzeria & Taproom, 1PM. The Santa Fe Jazz Jam brings an opportunity for middle school, high school, college, or amateur instrumentalists and singers to jam on stage with a professional jazz rhythm section arranged by Temple College’s own Norm Bergeron. This is a FREE event, so bring your talent and instrument to show off. If you don’t play but want to enjoy some incredible music over a wood fired zaa, show up on the lawn and kick back!
September 7: KAFR Day Party at horny toad Harley Davidson, 12PM. Day Party with Killeen All Female Riders.
October 1: Bell County Farmers Market at 8420 W Adams Ave, 12PM. Come help support our local farmers and get a chance to buy locallygrown produce and goods!
October 4-5: Ribs and Rods at Bend of the River Ranch, 5PM. A Family friendly car show and BBQ cookoff presented by Don Ringler Chevrolet and Toyota. Live music, local vendors, food trucks and great people supporting the Ronald McDonald House!!!
October 5: 2nd Annual Czech Heritage 5K at Bold Republic Brewing Company, 8AM. Don't miss out on the opportunity to kick off Czech Heritage Month and Octoberober Fest with the 2nd Annual Czech Heritage 5k. The community is invited to join the race and come celebrate the deep Czech heritage that has been rooted in Central Texas since the 1850s. The race will start and end at Bold Republic Brewing again this year and all participants over 21 will get a free pint of one of our special Czech brews!!! Come for the run and stay for the fun as Bold Republic kicks
off Octoberoberfest with vendors, live music, and new Czech brews! All proceeds from this event help the Central Texas Czech Heritage Museum in Downtown Temple. Be sure to register by Octoberober 4th to guarantee your T-shirt!
October 6: Santa Fe Jazz Jam - Norm Bergeron at Treno Pizzeria & Taproom, 1PM. The Santa Fe Jazz Jam brings an opportunity for middle school, high school, college, or amateur instrumentalists and singers to jam on stage with a professional jazz rhythm section arranged by Temple College’s own Norm Bergeron. This is a FREE event, so bring your talent and instrument to show off. If you don’t play but want to enjoy some incredible music over a wood fired zaa, show up on the lawn and kick back!
October 12: Central Texas Soul fest 2024 at 301 S 4th St, 3PM. Come join us for a day filled with soulful music, delicious food, and good vibes at 301 S 4th St. Get ready to groove to the beats of talented National Recording Artist: Calvin Richardson, West Love, Jaye Hammer, Arthur Young, 803 FRESH, S DOTT, Toia Jones, Cecily Wilborn, Donnie Ray and enjoy a variety of Food Trucks & Vendors serving up mouth-watering treats. This event will be hosted by Dem Grannie. Whether you're a fan of R&B, Blues, or Soul music, this event has something for everyone. Grab your friends and family for a memorable day of live performances and community spirit. Don't miss out on Central Texas Soul Fest 2024 - mark your calendars and get ready to experience the heart and soul of our vibrant community!
Waco
August 2: Lover - Taylor Swift tribute Experience at Waco Hippodrome Theatre, 7PM. Taylor Swift’s unquestionably iconic Eras Tour has become a cultural and economic phenomenon— the highest-grossing tour of all time, domination of news cycles and social media, tributes from governments—and has captured the attention and created obsession in fans and non-fans alike in a way that has never been seen before in the modern era. After going to the Eras Tour when Taylor Swift came to Dallas, Charity (lead singer of Lover) was so wonderstruck by Taylor’s performance that she felt completely inspired to create an opportunity for more people to be able to experience the Eras Tour. For the countless many who were not able to get tickets, or even for those who were lucky enough to attend the tour, we all still can’t get enough. Swifties have been following every highlight from the Eras Tour like it’s
Copyright of photos go to the photographers and everyone who submitted them respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
our favorite football team! When you see Lover live, the hope is that you have an unbelievable Eras Tour experience that you will never forget. Get your tour outfits ready and let’s make the whole place shimmer!
August 4: Electric Gold at Waco Surf, 2PM. Join us Surfside for free live music from one of our favorite Sunday Session sets - Electric Gold. Waco Surf offers waves, lazy river, lemurs, and tunes… what more could you need? Electric Gold consists of members of Foxmoor Express and Crypt Trip aided by bassist/angelic vocalist, Emily Kellar. The powerful trio’s 3-part harmonies rightfully emulate the psychedelic sounds of the late 60’s in their own original fashion with a range of genres including rock, country, psychedelic, blues, new wave, etc.
August 11: Short Jake at Waco Surf, 2PM. Enjoy an afternoon of jokes and jazz with Short Jake at Waco Surf’s Sunday Sessions.
August 16-18: Island Oasis Weeks at Camp Fimfo Waco, 12PM. A ukelele orchestra, hula hoop contest and other luau-themed activities and events!
August 17: 3rd Annual Billy Joe Shaver memorial Concert at The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, 6PM. Join us in honoring Billy Joe Shaver’s memory on Augustust 18th at the Backyard Bar.
August 18: Fooligan at Waco Surf, 2PM. Join Waco-borne band Fooligan along with Nate Joy of OKAY LOVE Surfside at 2pm for some chill live tunes. Make sure to grab your Water Park and Beach Pass and get ready to Slide, Float and chill the afternoon away with live tunes and the relaxing sound of lapping waves on the shoreline. Ahhhhh, Monday seems so far away...
August 24: Retro Radio 2024 at BASE at Extraco Events Center, 630PM. Get ready to rewind to the best decades in music! Join Archway of Hope for Retro Radio 2024, an epic night of music, video, and dazzling lights - all presided over by the world's biggest boombox! Dust off your finest threads from the 70s, 80s, or 90s and compete for the best-dressed title! (Dressing up is encouraged, but not needed) Show off your moves in the dance competition, fuel up with a delicious dinner buffet, and keep the party flowing with an open bar. But that's not all! Test your skills on the mechanical bull, capture memories in the 360 photobooth, and score amazing prizes in the raf-
fle and wine pull. Join us for a night of pure fun, nostalgia, and good vibes - all for a great cause!
August 29-31: Texas Elvis Weekend at the Waco Convention Center, 2PM. An action-packed weekend for the Texas Elvis Fans!
September 7: Luck of the Draw at Extraco Event Center, 6PM. A Private VIP Concert, a Casino, a Reverse Drawing, Silent Auction, a Steak Dinner, and a Host Bar. (MUST BE 21 YEARS OLD TO ATTEND) All proceeds from this event help the Heart O' Texas Fair & Rodeo Scholarship Fund. Purchase a ticket or a table through any of our Heart O' Texas Volunteers and come enjoy yourself while also helping to support our Youth and the future of Texas.
September 13-14: Unashamed Waco at Waco Convention Center, 6PM. Girls Weekend Getaway in Waco, TX!! Join Speakers Denise Bowens, BJ Garrett, Leslie James, and Pam Mitchael, for a super fun women's conference, featuring Katie Ashcraft who will be leading us in worship! Come worship and get encouraged to be a Bold, UNASHAMED Warrior Woman for Christ!
September 14: josh Weathers at the Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, 6PM. Josh Weathers has been thrilling Texas dancehalls with his powerful, heart-grabbing voice for 20 years. Blending the classic country vibe of George Strait with the electrifying stage presence of Bruce Springsteen, Josh's live show is a one-of-a-kind experience. Long before his recent explosion on social media he was a true road warrior. Josh honed his craft the old-school way, playing countless shows in bars and honky-tonks across the Lone Star State. As a devoted family person and musician, Josh's character shines through in every aspect of his music. If you're looking for an authentic country artist to root for, look no further than Josh Weathers."
September 14: The Oak Ridge Boys at Waco Hippodrome Theatre, 730PM. Going strong since 1940, this gospel and country quartet (composed of Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban) were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. Celebrated for songs such as 'Elvira', 'Bobbie Sue', 'Touch a Hand, and Make a Friend', 'Gonna Take a Lot of River' and 'American Made', the group continually tour and perform, even collaborating with newer artists, as they did in 2015 with a new recording of Elvira with 2013 Sing-Off winners,
Copyright of photos go to the photographers and everyone who submitted them respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
acapella group Home Free. Catch this legendary quartet with their killer harmonies as they perform classics old and new!
September 18: Bobby Dean & Timeless Country at Taqueria Mexicano Bar & Grill, 630PM. Bobby Dean & Timeless Country are a Traditional Classic Country Band. Come listen to some tasty tunes and enjoy tasty food at Taqueria Mexicano Bar & Grill!
October 3-13: Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo 2024 at Extraco Events Center, 6PM. Enjoy Live Music, Livestock shows, One HOT Rodeo, HOT Shops Marketplace, and a Carnival! HOT Fair and Rodeo’s Scholarship program has donated more than $4.5 million scholarship dollars, to date, to deserving youth. $280,000 has been awarded to 52 Texas students for the 23-24 academic year. Students from over 58 counties have been represented.
October 10-12: Silobration 2024 at Magnolia Market, 9AM. Silobration is free and open to all guests throughout the day! Select events during the weekend will require a ticket. The evening lineup is set! On Friday, Octoberober 11, Ben Rector will perform live from the Silos stage with opener Amistat. On Saturday, join Chip and Jo for an evening with special musical guests Johnnyswim.
October 11-12: Camp Fimfo Concert SeriesFall 2024 at Camp Fimfo Waco, 4PM. The Camp Fimfo Concert Series is back this fall, Octoberober 11-12! A 2-day concert at Camp Fimfo Waco celebrating music, friends, family, and the Great Outside. Start the weekend early and enjoy a bonus weekend kickoff celebration on Thursday, Octoberober 10 with live music from local artists.
October 12-13: Clint Black at Extraco Events Center, 10PM. It is one of the most storied careers in modern music. Clint Black surged to superstardom as part of the fabled Class of '89,
reaching #1 with five consecutive singles from his triple-platinum debut, Killin' Time. He followed that with the triple-platinum Put Yourself in My Shoes, and then a string of platinum and gold albums throughout the '90s. Perhaps most impressively, Clint wrote or co-wrote every one of his more than three dozen chart hits, including "A Better Man," "Where Are You Now," "When My Ship Comes In," "A Good Run of Bad Luck," "Summer's Comin'," "Like the Rain" and "Nothin' But the Taillights," part of a catalog that produced 22 #1 singles and made him one of the most successful singer/songwriters of the modern era. Along the way, Clint has sold over 20 million records, earned more than a dozen gold and platinum awards in the U.S. and Canada, landed nearly two dozen major awards and nominations, including more than a dozen GRAMMY nominations, and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
October 19: Live Music - Oktoberfest at Southern Roots Brewing Co., 12PM. Come celebrate our anniversary/Oktoberfest with great beer, live music, and traditional German food.
October 24-27: “Dracula” - Silent House Theatre Company at Jubilee Theatre, 730PM. An adaptation by Waco’s own Jamie Coblentz.
October 26: The Official Halloween Bar Crawl at Twisted Sisters Patio Bar, 4PM. This isn't just any bar crawl—it's the ultimate Halloween party where you and your friends can dress up in your most creative costumes and hit the town for a night you won't forget. Meet tons of new people, explore some of the best bars in Waco, and enjoy an electric atmosphere that only Halloween can provide. Our events are always packed with energy and excitement, making them the perfect way to celebrate the spooky season. Don’t miss out on the hottest Halloween event of the year! Get your tickets now, dress to scare, and let the hauntingly good times roll!
