Historic Park calendar: Halloween canceled, Branch Arts Live and holiday events move forward; volunteer needs noted
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Summary
Board and staff summarized a packed fall and winter calendar at the Oct. 23 meeting: Halloween activities were canceled due to weather, Branch Arts Live and other family events remain scheduled, and the board noted volunteer and liaison needs for cemetery and wreath-laying activities.
Board staff and members outlined upcoming events and operational notes for Farmers Branch Historic Park at the Oct. 23 meeting, including a canceled Halloween event, Branch Arts Live, Day of the Dead celebrations, fall photo sessions, Victorian fencing demonstrations, Mad Hatter ticket sales, holiday events and wreath-laying at Heumann Cemetery.
Staff reported that the publicly scheduled Halloween-in-the-park event for the weekend was canceled because of expected heavy rain; organizers plan to provide limited trick-or-treating resources at the recreation center on Oct. 31 instead. Branch Arts Live is scheduled for Sunday at Bessie Field Waterworth Park across from City Hall from 12:45 to 4 p.m., with dance performances and family activities; the event is free and family-friendly. The Day of the Dead celebration will be held Oct. 30 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., with a community altar in the church, crafts, folklorico, mariachi and face painting; volunteers were asked to sign up for station support.
Other items on the calendar include fall family mini photo shoots (limited slots available), a Victorian Fencing Society demonstration, Mad Hatter event ticket sales opening Dec. 1 at Venue 1842, and the multi–award-winning Rosemary History Camp (dates in July) and summer camps being made available for registration on Dec. 1. The board also announced a citywide Christmas carnival from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, Christmas teas (sold out) and lantern-led exhibit tours tied to the Christmas exhibit “From Prairie to Posh.”
Staff notified the board that Wreaths Across America will take place at Heumann Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 13, with a ceremony at 11 a.m. The board said all veterans buried at Heumann will have wreaths this year due to a donation that filled prior gaps. Flags for veterans’ graves will be placed on Nov. 4 and remain through Veterans Day on Nov. 11; the board said scouts and local lodges will assist and asked for volunteers to help with placement and delivery.
The board also announced the resignation of Anne Christman (residence and board affiliation noted in packet); Christman had served as liaison for the Kenan Cemetery subcommittee. The board requested volunteers to take over that liaison role and said staff will forward resignation paperwork to the city manager’s office.
Board members and staff asked to streamline Friends group communications and membership outreach; staff said a Friends Facebook page has been compromised and is being cleaned up. The board plans to coordinate posting and event notices to avoid inadvertent quorum issues when Friends group meetings include board members.
No formal policy changes or budget allocations were proposed during the event update; staff and board members requested volunteers and additional coordination for several upcoming dates.