[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6552407,"mediaKeyId","5118062-94577e5c7147f4a3fb70f857858874f3","parentId",5118062,"title","Lone Star Park readies spring racing season, novelty races and charitable grants to local nonprofits","audioSeconds",547,"startMs",975205,"endMs",1522660,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5118062-94577e5c7147f4a3fb70f857858874f3&start=975&end=1522","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5118062-94577e5c7147f4a3fb70f857858874f3/thumbnail_975205.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6552407/Grand-Prairie/Dallas-County/Texas/Lone-Star-Park-readies-spring-racing-season-novelty-races-and-charitable-grants-to-local-nonprofits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552407-3fde086faa793990d9944be4dfbac182/orig.mp4?Expires=1775159131&Signature=Dm6iWjOL6QGQA2wtzAeOCoRxebciHXd9cEPksBVV950dM2ojX6RXBSQT0S5pw9FyWI-vzs-MMF8GPMh96wHRYQB5yAfk0T-tuJrH01felz8Xibx9eLmpA7J3EBBkkLgy2CUp~H~3AZNE5FZ~0P9on8RkgBeFYGHwegtmDl~5eBeA3jWr7lt9Hxxqbiu49nP~QGr9ZvrLTUJ3TwJvXSP0ne72kTQFcVWi-KoTTY4Zfg7r4lWxO1G94lJ3X3Wj5lBz1BbfNQP2pcvXENLNs~Q7khbfqzhLBUS6brSF2jaLYaOMc7DyHmd~qrKi1gSO4giuNgI-c2O41J2XLlMtCkMglg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grand Prairie","date","2025-07-01T00:00:00Z","article","Lone Star Park will begin its spring thoroughbred racing season in April and will operate primarily on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through July, Rodney Nelson, marketing manager at Lone Star Park, said on the City of Grand Prairie program \"It’s Happening in Grand Prairie.\" Special-event highlights include novelty or “extreme” races featuring camels, ostriches and zebras on the weekend of April 26–27, Nelson said, and the track will host opening-night entertainment including an Elvis impersonator.

Nelson said the track will stage promotional events such as a “dollar day” (discounted admission and concessions) on a Sunday in April and that opening night will include giveaways for early arrivals. He described Silks, the track’s dining room, as an upgraded, all‑inclusive buffet option that requires tickets and reservations.

Lone Star Park’s charitable arm, the Lone Star Park Charitable Foundation, awarded more than $60,000 in grants this year and, according to Nelson, the foundation has given about $1,400,000 in grants to local charities since it was established. Nelson said the track partners with local nonprofits — for example, the Grand Prairie Paws shelter participates in on-site dog events and adoption activities.

Nelson recommended visitors consult the racetrack website for the official racing calendar and ticketing information: lonestarpark.com. He emphasized that some dates deviate from the standard Friday–Sunday schedule (for example Memorial Day and July fireworks events) and asked attendees to check the calendar before planning a visit.

“Find one that works for you and come on out and see us,” Nelson said. The interview included mentions of staff and operations leaders such as Merlinda Gonzalez (vice president of operations) and Soleil Nasr (food and beverage director).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Grand Prairie - Its Happening 0425 - Jul 01, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lone Star Park’s spring thoroughbred season will open in April and run mainly on weekends through July, with special novelty races and community events announced by the park’s marketing manager.","taxTitle","Grand Prairie, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2784,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552412,"Texas Country Reporter Fest to debut downtown Grand Prairie April 26; free family event expected to draw thousands",249,642865,892845,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5118062-94577e5c7147f4a3fb70f857858874f3&start=642&end=892","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5118062-94577e5c7147f4a3fb70f857858874f3/thumbnail_642865.jpg","/articles/6552412/Grand-Prairie/Dallas-County/Texas/Texas-Country-Reporter-Fest-to-debut-downtown-Grand-Prairie-April-26-free-family-event-expected-to-draw-thousands","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552412-9ab1073062cf630cb7c9bfba2334d835/orig.mp4?Expires=1775159131&Signature=QY-wqAbJAc29xUooMt4h7Bf5aaJHGoOJ93G~7Dg27VHcQnDD2pgmDarE8d3zfOyY5MaGbvj0bORWBoH5GIMgRZcq6iItB2TDKLx5rcKWOCru8N4R3U0QwBlI-3BVYGMajUiR6UevSSHM2WMCcQ-smnfQIFXQP-D5Wd3aXNqW9g3K4fjNYrXqYADmtuUlMzqhD-XeNju6pI-LH3ti4MmsZZDugGxeeDaNNRba~dAT2xFGa6qc226HLCf2hs7zJ3QkoHckTcy-Ye1v8kGd4AJgA7rfzrTyzvh9H4XMTV4ibJw-rkNQ~ChBLTY0IWEiHIKKIYjIiWr5q5LZMZMGons45A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Texas Country Reporter Fest, a one-day outdoor festival produced by Texas Country Reporter and Texas Monthly partners, will be held downtown in Grand Prairie on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Terrell Joyner, senior special events coordinator for the city, said on the city program \"It’s Happening in Grand Prairie.\" The event is free to attend.

Joyner said organizers expect about 20,000 attendees in the festival’s first year in Grand Prairie and that more than 100 vendors and food trucks will participate. “They used to have about 50,000 attendees in Waxahachie and within its first year here in Grand Prairie, we expect about 20,000 attendees,” Joyner said.

The festival will feature free live music on a main stage with headliner Silverado and local opening acts including the band Double Ace. Joyner said JB Saceda, the program’s new host, has visited downtown and covered local businesses such as Zavala’s Barbecue.

Joyner described the event as family friendly, with children’s activities and free live-music programming while vendors sell food and goods. Joyner said the event will be free but suggested attendees bring money for purchases from vendors and food trucks.

Organizers expect downtown Main Street restaurants and retailers to remain open during the festival. Joyner said parking will follow the pattern used for previous downtown events such as Main Street Fest; attendees should plan accordingly.

For full event details and updates, the city recommended checking event announcements from the City of Grand Prairie and festival organizers.","Texas Country Reporter Fest moves to downtown Grand Prairie for a one-day, family-focused festival Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., city events coordinator Terrell Joyner said. Organizers expect roughly 20,000 attendees in year one, with more than 100 vendors and live music including headliner Silverado.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552416,"Grand Prairie Library to open remodeled main entrance May 31; mobile libraries begin in April",531,45785,577240,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5118062-94577e5c7147f4a3fb70f857858874f3&start=45&end=577","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5118062-94577e5c7147f4a3fb70f857858874f3/thumbnail_45785.jpg","/articles/6552416/Grand-Prairie/Dallas-County/Texas/Grand-Prairie-Library-to-open-remodeled-main-entrance-May-31-mobile-libraries-begin-in-April","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552416-bd70b73e83acb2d6b7de577d794f7370/orig.mp4?Expires=1775159131&Signature=UQrRRZovssEpgXLqRNBdvyD~SjDE~HoHtc8ahp2SuO8EL12KFUGPt5gODZlgzcnYW79xi4YdEydrUW~PjjVQ6cKX4YozKE2kHbxmu~RYvQKYD-gPj6E6hNaLlqncrVrqYbKNxsTUEgWceokUIb0IMX1mbfmYRLFS0Oq1MutBlF2SSGn2dQSV34XkzFEeYh8rivOtttNKtoJEQnGGOpkjvjsTAIZAIT26QGOh5d3tL1PszzOU9fF94gvhRKz5I1O~R1mi9i8LQk-OtQk3tJj2Dp5Q7L~ucc~6J-ZUfqlK5tf9qlGrmxZCTc0-BwEsZLaXs7Mk5ho6xqiDBLLuPenfIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Prairie Library plans to open a remodeled front entrance and lobby to the public on May 31, the day of the library’s summer reading kickoff, library representative Peter Seim said on the City of Grand Prairie program \"It’s Happening in Grand Prairie.\" The library also will deploy two mobile-library RVs with scheduled neighborhood stops beginning April 21–22, Seim said.

Seim said the lobby renovation removes interior walls to create a more open, colorful entrance and replaces skylights. “The planned open to the public date is for summer reading kickoff, which is May 31,” Seim said. He described new teal trim on the building’s coping and said the lobby “is going to be much brighter” with new skylights and more open circulation.

The library’s main location is at 901 Conover near Jefferson and 161, Seim said. Grand Prairie also operates the Tony Shotwell Library (inside the Tony Shotwell Life Center), the Betty Wermack branch, an Epic Reads location at the Epic Life Center, and a book locker at Joe Pool Lake for hold pickup. Seim said the library’s facilities and services include free programs, public computers, printing, scanning and fax services at the main and Wermack branches, and mobile access to digital collections through Hoopla and Libby.

Seim described the mobile libraries as RVs equipped with books, computers, a printer and Wi‑Fi that will stop in each city district weekly and appear at outreach events such as Earth Day and Main Street Fest. “They're basically two new locations. It's just that they're on wheels,” he said. The program will allow patrons to place holds and pick them up at a mobile stop and to drop off returns there.

On obtaining a library card, Seim advised residents to bring a driver's license to any library building: “We get you a library card in 2 minutes, and then you're all set to go.” He also encouraged residents to check programs and hours at the library website: www.gptx.org/library.

The interview included two different start dates for scheduled mobile stops: Seim first said scheduled stops begin April 22 and later corrected to April 21. The library provided both dates during the segment; residents should confirm the exact start date and weekly stop schedule on the library’s website.

The library emphasized that the small decorative bubble veil at the entrance will remain, though it was shifted during construction. Seim said the lobby work follows an earlier, more extensive renovation in 2016 that did not address the front lobby area.

For more information about hours, programs and the mobile-library schedule, the library directs residents to www.gptx.org/library.","City of Grand Prairie’s main library will reopen its newly remodeled front entrance and lobby to the public at the summer reading kickoff on May 31, and the library will also launch two mobile-library RVs with scheduled neighborhood stops starting April 21–22, officials said.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552402,"City of Grand Prairie urges residents to sign up for Alert GP and stops accepting recyclables in plastic bags",383,582365,965500,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5118062-94577e5c7147f4a3fb70f857858874f3&start=582&end=965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5118062-94577e5c7147f4a3fb70f857858874f3/thumbnail_582365.jpg","/articles/6552402/Grand-Prairie/Dallas-County/Texas/City-of-Grand-Prairie-urges-residents-to-sign-up-for-Alert-GP-and-stops-accepting-recyclables-in-plastic-bags","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552402-5995e9cfc06a017a1daa5600a18b7c94/orig.mp4?Expires=1775159131&Signature=e5kEfHI16tdALHiMtA6Y1RkzJq5L0Lw~29iEubzzpdakO4XkZXXg0vAlBRAFNa1iDJ1I97oySk-KH3q7SqwkGEpN3Q0EeercgjP5Zduc97qaxZtMavEqZXXbhjRHlVH0LzY61RO-koUeJHUkgunbohF1hS7FvIi0awd33rMUClfAcDLXSKZT6QYqNoutqqjA4dLt7kvaSyFVJDkD8YMUE3lGqusONT~VTtEXtwzZLOxZYCUzagrisgbidroBtiSctfvDq4Ay0MZ0XDMOQFXN4-XyKQ61ujW4WobARtzhFLq2JYLvaJAfFBbDuunP8S~CSVke4cwf3e26BrfnsOdyhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Grand Prairie urged residents to sign up for Alert GP, the city’s emergency-notification service, and reminded the public that recycling collection crews will no longer accept recyclables placed inside plastic bags because the bags damage processing equipment.

A city announcement on the program “It’s Happening in Grand Prairie” said Alert GP provides high‑speed emergency notifications from the Grand Prairie Emergency Management Team and can target either the entire city or specific areas for critical alerts. The city said residents should sign up at gptx.org/alertgp to receive notifications.

On recycling, city staff said plastic bags should not be used to hold recyclables for curbside pickup because the bags can damage processing equipment. The city advised residents to place acceptable recyclables — glass bottles and jars, metal cans and paper products — loose in the recycling bin and directed readers to gptx.org/recycle for more information.

Both announcements were presented as city informational notices; no formal actions or policy votes were recorded in the broadcast segment.","City officials reminded residents to enroll in Alert GP for emergency notifications and announced that recyclables will no longer be accepted in plastic bags because the bags damage processing equipment; residents should place acceptable recyclables loosely in the bin and visit gptx.org for details.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lone Star Park readies spring racing season, novelty races and charitable grants to local nonprofits

Texas Country Reporter Fest to debut downtown Grand Prairie April 26; free family event expected to draw thousands

Grand Prairie Library to open remodeled main entrance May 31; mobile libraries begin in April

City of Grand Prairie urges residents to sign up for Alert GP and stops accepting recyclables in plastic bags