Ongoing activities available: visit the newly renovated Depot, farm animals and historic structures
The wind - this year's theme for Dallas Heritage Village's popular Spring Fling Week - is a powerful force for work and play.
“Early Texans used the wind to help settle the land, and we still use the wind today in much the same way,” said Melissa Prycer, president and executive director, Dallas Heritage Village. “Whether you’re trying to fly a kite, propel a sailboat or move a pinwheel, the wind can also be a very unpredictable playmate, which our special activities will demonstrate.”
Kids of all ages are invited to “Catch the Breeze!” on Tuesday, March 10 through Friday, March 13, 2015, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (activity times 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.), at Dallas Heritage Village, 1515 South Harwood Street, 75215.
Participants can have fun running with pinwheels near the windmill; making bubbles float through the air at the Van Cleave Bandstand; flying kites in the valley; and sailing boats in the fountain.
“These activities will not only be fun exercises in history but also in science and nature,” added Prycer. “Additionally there are many ongoing activities throughout the village and costumed interpreters to visit with at the historic structures. Be sure to explore our newly renovated Depot while visiting.”
The new Depot exhibit invites visitors to experience life on the railroad and learn about the important role the rail lines played in building Dallas. This KATY Depot (short for the Kansas, Missouri and Texas line) has been restored to look as good as it did when originally built in Fate, Rockwall County. Activities inside include a game for planning routes to far-off cities along the many lines which met at Dallas. Visitors can practice the premier communication technology of the frontier era on two working telegraph keys; calculate costs for shipping crates and barrels of goods in the freight room; and take a peek into travel trunks at the belongings of a young schoolteacher, Texas’ first African-American architect, and a local dentist.
Tour the Millermore and Sullivan homes throughout the week. Listen in on the party line and learn about the Village's history through the cell phone tour. Young shopkeepers, shoppers, and postal workers can have fun role playing at The Blum Brothers store. And everyone enjoys stopping by to see Mammoth Jack Donkeys Nip and Tuck, who will be busy giving their ever-popular surrey rides around the Village for 25 cents a person.
On Wednesday, March 11, at 11 a.m., Barnyard Buddies Story time for Preschoolers will feature “Windy Wonders” and a story titled Gilberto and the Wind by Marie Hall. Kids will enjoy thinking about playing in the wind and what can happen to a kite or wind-driven toy like a pinwheel. Cost is $5/participating child; 1 accompanying adult per child free, with additional adults: $9.
“March is an extremely busy time at Dallas Heritage Village, and we anticipate seeing a lot of families during the annual Spring Fling week,” added Prycer. “Join us for a fun week, and come see what’s new.”
Tickets are $9/ adults; $7/ seniors; $5 / kids 4-12, children 3 and under are free. All activities are free with admission. Exact schedules for Village characters vary. For more information, go to www.dallasheritagevillage.org or call 214-421-5141. Check in at Spring Fling via Facebook. Leave your tips and reviews and let others know about all the fun things happening. Come and enjoy a fun day with your family and Catch the Breeze!!