Plus, the rankings are out for the South's best barbecue.
 
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Today’s Forecast

79º | Rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:10 a.m. | Sunset 7:40 p.m.

 
🍇 It’s wine o’clock somewhere
FTWtoday-GrapeFest-SEPT
Tickets are now on sale for the 37th Annual GrapeFest in Grapevine | Photo by GrapeFest
Get ready for a grape weekend — the 37th Annual GrapeFest kicks off today in downtown Grapevine, ~25 minutes from Fort Worth.

The four-day event is the largest wine festival in the Southwest + the largest consumer-judged wine competition in the nation. Here’s what you need to know before you merlot.

Stop and smell the rosé

More than 400 wineries and 4,400 acres of vineyards produce nearly three million gallons of Texas wine each year + this year’s festival will feature the very best Lone Star State-grown wines.

Guests can enjoy experiences like the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, the Liberty Park Plaza Wine Experience, the award-winning tasting rooms on Grapevine’s Urban Wine Trail, and a charcuterie board workshop.

As the days wine down, there also will be live music performances from local artists like Joshua Ingram and Carnie and Wendy Wilson of Wilson Phillips.

Fun for the whole family

Let the little ones explore the KidZone entertainment area featuring yard games, an inflatable obstacle course, a scavenger hunt + arts and crafts. If you’re a thrill seeker, head to the Midway — at the intersection of Jenkins and East Wall Streets — for a ride on the Ferris wheel and merry-go-round.

Be responsible

Avoid the parking fees by taking the Trinity Metro TEXRail from Fort Worth to downtown Grapevine. Riders can download the GoPass mobile app and use our code FTWT23A to get a $1 roundtrip ticket.

If you want to save even more, purchase your Grapefest ticket at the door and present your TEXRail pass for $2 off a general admission ticket.

If you’d prefer to drive, there are several places to park — find the best option for your family using this guide.

Tickets to the fun

The event kicks off today and runs through Sunday, Sept. 17. Admission is free all day today and tomorrow, Sept. 15 until 5 p.m. If you can’t make it until this weekend, several ticket options are still available.
 
 
Events
 
Thursday, Sept. 14
  • Subcontractor Outreach Event | Thursday, Sept. 14 | 2:30-4 p.m. | Fort Worth Convention Center, 1201 Houston St., Fort Worth | Free | Local subcontractors are invited for a meet-and-greet to learn more about the convention center renovation project.
  • Public Meeting for Panther Island | Thursday, Sept. 14 | 6 p.m. | Tarrant County College — Trinity River Campus, 300 Campus Cir., Fort Worth | Free | Residents and business owners are invited to learn more about the $1.16 billion Panther Island project.
Friday, Sept. 15
  • ¡Celebramos! | Friday, Sept. 15-Sunday, Oct. 15 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth | $12-$25 | ¡Celebramos! A Celebration of Latin American Culture & Heritage will feature a variety of performances, art, and new experiences.
Saturday, Sept. 16
  • Shaq’s Bass All-Stars Festival | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 4 p.m. | Panther Island Pavilion, 395 Purcey St., Fort Worth | $77-$900 | NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal will debut his inaugural electronic music festival with 15 entertainers across two stages.
  • Texas Wesleyan University Football | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 7-10 p.m. | Crowley ISD Sports Complex, 9900 Hemphill St., Fort Worth | $0-$15 | Cheer on the Rams as they play Oklahoma Panhandle State in their third game of the 2023 season.
Sunday, Sept. 17
  • Dallas Cowboys | Sunday, Sept. 17 | 3:25 p.m. | AT&T Stadium, 1 AT&T Way, Arlington | $61-$775 | Watch the Cowboys take on the New York Jets at Jerry World.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Development
  • City leaders approved $5 million in funding to help support the construction of the new Omni Digital Dome at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Once complete, it will be the first LED digital dome of its size in North America. Construction is expected to cost about $20 million and wrap up next summer.
Announced
  • The kickoff time for the Iron Skillet rivalry game between TCU and SMU football will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23. The Family Weekend game will be played on the Horned Frogs turf at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Standing Room tickets are still available for $50.
Community
  • The city is considering renaming Rosedale Plaza Park to Historic Stop Six Park. Share your thoughts on the name change via email or in writing by Monday, Sept. 18. An official decision will be made on Wednesday, Oct. 25.
Travel
  • Heads up travelers — beginning today, Dallas Love Field will relocate the pick-up area for rideshares and taxis. The rideshare area will move from the airport’s lower-level roadway to the adjacent Garage B Level One. (Dallas CultureMap)
Ranked
  • Two Tarrant County barbecue restaurants topped Southern Living’s list of the South’s Top 50 Barbecue Joints of 2023. Fort Worth’s Goldee’s Barbecue made it in the top 10, ranking No. 9 for its tender meats and delicious sides. Meanwhile, Arlington’s Hurtado Barbecue came in at No. 45.
Sports
  • The Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships will return to Dickies Arena next spring from May 30 to June 2. More than 150 male and female athletes will compete to be named national gymnastics champions. The competition will set the National Team lineups for the US Olympic Team Trials.
Festival
  • A film festival celebrating Latino cinema will return to Fort Worth next week. The three-day festival will take place Friday, Sept. 22-Sunday, Sept. 24 at Artes de la Rosa. Guests can expect Latino film screenings, panel discussions, and master classes.
Featured Deal
  • Ensemble Coworking is offering Three for Free Coworking with no expiration date. Snag a free three-day pass to experience an inspiring workspace, community + connections at their mission-driven space in the Near Southside. Claim your Three for Free pass. *
 
Plan Ahead
 
Taking fun to new heights
FTW-Plano Balloon Festival
Plano Balloon Festival is brought to you by H-E-B/Central Market. | Photo via Visit Plano
It’s a mesmerizing sight you have to see to believe — dozens of hot air balloons will fly sky-high over Collin County during the annual Plano Balloon Festival.

The family-friendly event will kick off Thursday, Sept. 21, and run through Sunday, Sept. 23 at Oak Point Park (2801 E. Spring Creek Pkwy.) in Plano, ~50 minutes northeast of Fort Worth.

🎈 The main event
Every morning at 6 a.m. and evening at 7 p.m., 40 colorful balloons will light up and take off over the festival grounds. A parachute team will also perform Friday-Sunday at 5:30 p.m., weather permitting.

🎟️ Save your spot
Tickets can be pre-purchased online or at the door for $5-$10. Free tickets are available for kids under 36 inches tall and all military and first responders.

🚗 Parking options
On-site parking will cost $15, or guests can park off-site at Plano Center for $10. Find the best spot.
 
Question
 
What are your favorite types of events to attend?

A. Food and drink
B. Art and musical festivals
C. Philanthropic
D. Sports
E. Kid-friendly
 
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The Wrap
 
Rebecca McRobbie Today’s edition by:
Rebecca
From the editor
I’ll be taking full advantage of the free admission at Grapefest today. Be sure to follow us on Instagram to see an inside look at the festival + what we’re indulging in at this foodie event.
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