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Summer Activities in Tyler for 2012

May 30th, 2012

UntitledNearly every summer we, here at Tyler TX Directory, put out a list of summer activities as suggestions for East Texas parents. Keeping the kids busy and maybe even learning a little something, during the summer months can be a challenge. Family vacations are generally more difficult than years past, due to financial concerns, so the trick is making the summer fun and memorable without going overboard on expenses. So our suggestions are as follows:                 

The Caldwell Zoo is always on the list, but hey it’s always fun educational and is ever improving. It remains an area favorite. The Brookshire’s Wildlife Museum looks from the outside like an odd place for a family museum, but trust us, it’s a great stop. (It’s graced our site on numerous occasions already, so feel free to scroll through the attractions column on the right for more info).  Discovery Science Place is located in downtown Tyler and is a growing attraction in our area. Admittedly it’s been a while since I’ve checked it out but I’m hearing it mentioned more and more by local parents. This summer the museum is welcoming a traveling exhibit called Predator and Prey. And here are the summer activities schedule for the Caldwell Zoo:

ZOO MEMBERS’ ONLY EVENING AT THE ZOO

Come enjoy a special evening at the zoo! ZooMembers are welcome to bring a picnic supper or enjoy food from our Chakula Cafe. There will be behind-the-scenes looks at our newly refurbished cat enclosures as well as keeper chats throughout the evening. Of course, you will want to stop by the concession stands for a complimentary small sno-cone and have fun feeding the birds at Wild Bird Walkabout with a complimentary seed stick

June 8 5:00-8:00 p.m.

RED, WHITE AND BLUE AT THE ZOO

Celebrate our country’s birthday! Caldwell Zoo appreciates our country’s military personnel! On July 4th, the zoo will give one free admission with a valid military ID.

DON’T STEP ON A BEE DAY

July 10th is set aside each year as “Don’t Step on a Bee Day.” Don’t bee left out–make a beeline for the African Huts where we’ll have a hive-full of fun activi-bees.

July 7 1:30-4:00 p.m.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Bring your small fry to the African Huts for some swimming-good fishy fun.

August 25 1:30-4:00 p.m.

ELEPHANT APPRECIATION DAY

There will be a trunk-load of elephant fun on the African Overlook.

September 22 1:30-4:00 p.m.

One area attraction that is often overlooked in our area is the Hudnall Planetarium. The Planetarium is located at Tyler Junior College, and to my surprise, has actually begun advertising on local television. Hudnall has really great programs running this summer, including IMAX films. Visit their web page for more information. http://www.tjc.edu/cesse/  I love making trips to the Gulf Coast, in fact I hope visit the beach at some point this summer. Now I may or may not be able to make that happen, but I know a visit to Tyler State Park,is always a possibility. Great campsites and a sandy beach are never more than an hour away for most Tylerites. For older students and or children, The Historical Aviation Memorial Museum, and The American Freedom Museum,are two of my documented favs.

The popular Faulkner Park splash park is a great free option for the summer time. This is a small water based park inside of Faulkner park which is known for mainly being a softball and tennis court park with some biking and hiking trails. I think you will find the splash park to be a fun place to bring the kids and there are two playgrounds at this park as well when the kids want to do something not water based.

Many local churches are holding Vacation Bible School programs this summer as well. Most use a standardized curriculum which allows potential students multiple opportunities to get on board at some point over the break.  Christ Episcopal Church is holding theirs from June, 25ththrough the 29th. https://www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/CEC/gpgs/Home.aspx, www.christchurchtyler.org I’m no doubt leaving off some good stops and events, but for those of us wanting to fill the kids summer days with something other than Xbox and Boomerang, I think these are a good start. As a parting note I should also remind readers that we are living through a golden age of Ranger’s Baseball, so if the cost is affordable, what better summer memory then a family outing at the ball park?

Event: 1952 La France Firetruck at Brookshires Wildlife Museum

April 10th, 2012

1952 La France FiretruckThe Brookshires Wildlife Museum is having a big event of family fun Wednesday April 11at 10am.

There will be a free concert, free ice cream, and a free T-shirt for each person who comes.

The event is in celebration of the dedication of the 1952 La France Firetruck. You’ve probably seen the firetruck in the playground.

It has been given a fresh coat of paint and looks nice. If your children are interested in firefighting like my son, you will want to bring them.

The actual original firefighters that drove this firetruck are dedicating it in person.

They are from the Dallas fire department. They will be telling some personal stories from when they went to fight fires in this 1952 firetruck.

I can imagine that it will be quite inspirational and educational. Come visit the Tyler Brookshires Museum tomorrow. Admission is free.

Announcing PIONEER DAY Parrott Park Saturday April 7th 2012 10am – 4pm

March 23rd, 2012

Parrott Park in Lindale Texas is beginning their second year of annual events and they are kicking it off right with the bigger and better. They asked us to publish this for anyone in East Texas to see. This is a great park and event, I highly recommend you bring out the whole family for this truly unique park and day!

2nd Annual
PIONEER  DAY
Parrott Park
Saturday April 7th 2012
10am – 4pm
2900 S. Main St.
Lindale, TX

Including:

  • Petting Zoo “Country Critters from Shawnee Creek Ranch” featuring all your favorite furry friends!

 

  • Easter Egg Hunt @ 1pm for Children age 12 and under! Hosted by local celebrity Bryan Houston

 

  • The EASTER BUNNY will be here!

 

  • Brookshires Wildlife Museum & Smith County Historical Society will be on site with displays!

 

  • Blacksmith Demonstrations by Shadowhawk Blades!

 

  • Character actors in period costumes give tours!

 

  • Equipment demonstrations!

 

  • Doc Wilkes wandering magician!

 

  • Wild West Shoot out! Performed by “The Outsiders” of Crossbrand Cowboy Church !

 

  • Cowboy Poet Larry Sheppard- entertaining with poetry and stories!

 

  • Food & Drink Vendors on Site! & Picnic tables available!

 

  • Face Painting and Carnival style Games for the kids to enjoy!

 

  • Gift Shop will be open with new items!

 

  • Live Music to sing along or dance to!
  • LIVE BANDS:

Dulcimer in Praise – Celtic/Mountain/Gospel Band – 10am to 12noon
Bongo & The Point – Oldies & Goodies – 10am to 11:45am at the chapel
Percy Wang – Violinist Extraordinaire – 12noon to 2pm
Joyful Noise – Mountain Bluegrass Band – 2pm to 4pm
Sharon Gehring – Mountain Dulcimer Artist – various times ALL DAY!

FREE! To attend!

And for an additional Hoot & Holler….check out our sister museum….

THE HISTORIC McCLENDON HOUSE LIVING HISTORY TOURS!
806 W. HOUSTON ST.
TYLER, TX 75701

Saturday, March 24, 31, & April 7, 2012
6:30pm until 9:30pm
Guided tours and short performed skits by actors in period costumes bring history alive as they portray influential historic residents of the 130 year old famous home including White House correspondent Sarah McClendon. Tours last about 45min and begin every 15min. Blacksmith demonstrations on the lawn and more! $10 adults, children 12 and under FREE! Bring your camera! All proceeds go towards repair and upkeep of the home. Thank you for your support! And please help spread the word!
Also look forward to our 1st ever Arts & Crafts day Saturday May 19th!

And last our friends at …

Hollywood Theaters asked us to let you know about their new “Half Off Tuesdays!”  Where ticket prices are just $3.00 before 3pm, only $2.25 between 3pm and 6pm, and $4.00 after 6pm!  And hot dogs are $1.50 all day!

Thanks!
George Jones
Parrott Park
Hollywood Theaters
McClendon House
Jericho’s Books

Like a Date Show Cooking Class for Two, Have an Awesome Date Night!

March 2nd, 2012

Japanese Night: March 21st 6:30-8:30: sushi, udon soup, shrimp and vegetable tempura. $75 per person

Tyler has a very unique date night idea with the new addition of the business, Let’s Cook. This business specializes in teaching couples and singles how to cook meals in a large romantic kitchen setting.

Have you ever seen one of those late night date shows where people who have never met before go to a unique date night destination.

Think of Let’s Cook as a unique date night destination that is sure to leave a memorable impression that will stay with you for a long time.

My wife and I really had no idea what to expect but ended up having a really good time, food to eat throughout the cooking session, as well as food to take home.

When my wife and I did it each couple had a cooking station in front of them as well as many different cooking ingredients. We cooked several different Italian courses and had a blast with our chef and teacher, Chef Al.

I want to recommend this place because it really is one of those unique off the beaten path ideas that is worth doing at least once.

 

Cooking for One or Two – Series of 4 Classes

Thursday Mar 8 Time: 6:30-9:30 PM $200/Person Open
Thursday Mar15 Time: 6:30-9:30 PM Open

Japanese Night: March 21st 6:30-8:30: sushi, udon soup, shrimp and vegetable tempura. $75 per person

Thursday Mar 22 Time: 6:30-9:30 PM Open
Thursday Mar 29 Time: 6:30-9:30 PM Open
Do you find it difficult to prepare inviting and healthy meals for just yourself and/or another? Sometimes recipes are not easy to scale down and leftovers are boring. Let Kathleen Stanfill teach you how to make dining exciting, nutritious, and easy whether you, are single, empty-nesters, or just want to cook for a friend.

“Having cooked for a family of four for 30 years, it was difficult to learn to cook for one! I consider myself a pretty good cook, but was AMAZED by how much I learned in Kathleen’s class on Cooking for One or Two. In addition to phenomenal tips and systems, it was lots of FUN! I especially liked her ideas on how we can always have fresh, delicious homemade meals. Can’t wait for the class on Soups!”
– Shelley Judd

Blast Ball Like Tee-Ball But For 2 1/2 through 4 Year Olds

March 2nd, 2012

Blast Ball is like pre Tee Ball for ages 2 1/2 – 4 years old. Looking at the site you would not think it was that big of a deal: website as there is simply not a lot on display on the site to draw much attention to the league.

This league however is huge. We enrolled our son in Blast Ball two seasons ago and there are a ton of teams and lots of little 2 – 4 years olds both girls and boys playing.

Blast Ball is great because there are not a lot of rules to worry about as it is more about teaching your kid about being on a team and the experience of baseball/Tee-Ball.

What your kid will get out of it is a lot of fun, a sense of team effort, and the excitement of hearing their parents and grandparents cheering them on from behind the back stop.

Now most 2 1/2 – 3 year olds will need a little assistance and so it is not uncommon for parents to assist their children out on the field, at the Tee, and anywhere needed throughout the entire game.

The game consists of all the kids standing out in the infield wherever they feel comfortable. When the ball is hit most of the kids run at it all at once and it is pretty funny to see just how basic of a game we are talking about here.

The whole experience for the kids is low key and fun for all.

Everyone gets a chance at batting and there is no emphasis at this stage placed on throwing the ball anywhere other than back to the pitchers mound.

Your child will get a chance to understand being on a team, and maybe decide if baseball is the type of sport they like at an early age.

The cheering they get from behind the back stop may make up most of the fun they have as they run from first to home.

Blast Ball is fun for kids and the whole family, definitely check it out. Last day to register is March 18th from 2 – 4 pm at Faulkner Park.

You can register anytime before then online using their online registration website located here.