From racing to shopping to ballooning and horsing around, there are plenty of events going on in North Texas this weekend that are Worth the Drive.
NASCAR Weekend at TMS
Thousands of NASCAR faithful will pack the track at Texas Motor Speedway Friday through Sunday. Friday night it's the WinStar World Casino 350 part of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Austin Dillon is the championship leader going into Saturday afternoon's featured 200 lap O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge. Sunday is the biggest race of all, the AAA Texas 500, 334 laps of pure speed. TMS calls it "the most pivotal race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup." Tony Stewart will try to catch current points leader Carl Edwards who is ahead by a razor-thin 8 points going into Sunday's race. Interesting statistic - the points leader following the AAA Texas 500 race has gone on to win the championship five of the previous six seasons. Race fans can find out everything they need to know about race weekend by downloading the free official TMS App for Android and iPhone. It includes maps, schedules and information about vendors and concessions. Visit TexasMotorSpeedway.com
Dallas Sample Sale
The once-a-year Dallas Sample Sale at Dallas Market Hall is a shopper's dream. You can get a head start on your holiday shopping at what it could be called the sale of the year. Thursday through Sunday you'll find the best wholesale merchandise including everything from holiday decor, gourmet foods and home furnishings to clothing, accessories and unique gifts. Article & Video: Deals Come Early at the Dallas Sample Sale
Celina Balloon Festival
A short drive to Celina on the border of Collin and Denton counties will get you to the 6th Annual Celina Balloon Festival on Friday and Saturday. On the ground or in the air, it's two days of family fun. Admission is just $5 per person and children 5 and under get in free. Launch of the hot air balloons will be early Saturday, weather permitting. You can stay all day for live local music, kites and helicopter rides as well as a classic car show, petting zoo, balloon glow and laser light show. Oh, and don't forget the fine festival food. Visit CelinaBalloonFestival.com
Fall Plant Safari and Sale
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park in Dallas is home to the Fall Plant Safari and Fall Plant Sale. The safari is a pre-sale tour from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday. The Director of Horticulture Randy Johnson, shows you native plants and adapted plants that will do well in your North Texas landscape. The Fall Sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. offers plants from the spring sale as well as hard-to-find native trees and shrubs. Visit TexasDiscoveryGardens.org
APHA World Championship Show
Geldings, stallions and mares fill the Will Rogers Memorial Center this weekend for The American Paint Horse Association's World Championship Show. While the show will be in Fort Worth through Saturday, Nov. 12, this weekend features barrel racing, stake racing, pole bending and steer stopping. Just a few of the many events featuring beautiful horses. Visit APHA.com
Farmersville Farmers & Flea Market
The Farmersville Farmers & Flea Market features produce, plants, crafts, food and more at the historic Onion Shed on Main Street. Held on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this year man's best friend is invited for the first Doggie Day Festival. The "Mutt Strut" parade at 10 a.m. will be the featured attraction and just might be worth the drive to Collin County. Visit FarmersvilleTX.com
