The Dusty Biscuit is offering mini and regular King Cakes. | Photo by @thedustybiscuit
Welcome back to FTWtoday’s Plan Ahead. February is shaping up to be a big one, with Black History Month events, Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, and more setting the tone for this month.
Here’s what to know — and what to plan — for next month.
Bill Pickett Rodeo + Black History Month Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 1:30 + 7:30 p.m. | Cowtown Coliseum | $31+ | The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo celebrates and honors Black Cowboys and Cowgirls and their contributions to building the West.
Oak Cliff 2026 Mardi Gras Parade | Sunday, Feb. 15 | 1 p.m.| Oak Cliff, Dallas | Free | The largest Mardi Gras celebration in North Texas is family-friendly and filled with floats, music, and colorful costumes.
“Hairspray” | Saturday, Feb. 28-Sunday, March 8 | Times vary | Casa Manana | $49+ | You can’t stop the beat of this high-energy Broadway favorite packed with big hair and even bigger dance numbers.
A friendly reminder — The 2026 Winter Olympics kick off next Friday, Feb. 6, while Super Bowl LX is on Sunday, Feb. 8.
On Thursday, Feb. 5, the Fort Worth Opera will help wrap up the 2026 FWSSR with “Cowboys & Culture” — a one-hour, multimedia concert at the Kimbell. The headliner is none other than Clifton Forbis — who first joined the Fort Worth Opera in 1990.
Plan Ahead
Willow Park Palooza is returning for its seventh year on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The celebration is a free, family-friendly event featuring food trucks, games, a balloon artist, and face painting. They are scouting local vendors until Monday, March 23.
Try This
There are four athletes from Texas representing Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with two from the DFW area. See if you can add to their ranks in four years’ time with a few lessons at Ice at the Parks. (NBC)
Community
This month, TCU officials and nearby residents met to discuss reviving the former Neighbor to Neighbor program. Late last year, the Safe Neighborhood Alliance formed to address similar concerns. Will the two groups come together to improve student-and-neighbor relations? Stay tuned. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Tech
Fort Worth’s Elbit Systems of America is part of a $16 million program, installing tech that will project digital flight data directly onto pilots’ visors. These helmets are projected to be tested starting next year + eventually be used by the US Navy. (Hoodline Dallas + Fort Worth Report)
Watch
From sunrise to sunset, Fort Worth shows off. WFAA’s Pete Delkus shared a picture of a stunning sunrise this week. It looks like a painting.
Listen
Why does the SEC have some of the best quarterbacks this year? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the SEC with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Real Estate
Big news: This cozy and contemporary downtown community is now open to everyone. We’re loving the stylish spaces with quartz countertops and walk-in closets, but our favorite part has to be the suite of on-site amenities. See for yourself.*
Finance
You’re smart — but your spending can still be dumb. From overpaying when online shopping to sticking with a car insurance plan instead of shopping for a lower rate, here are 11 of the dumbest things smart people waste money on.*
Read
Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440, where 4.5 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. It’s free to subscribe.*
The Buy
The countdown to Valentine’s Day has begun. Discover our favorite gifts for loved ones, perfect for any kind of Valentine:
🧳 Gift them this premium leather toiletry bag that’s top rated for style and function.
👣 You can never go wrong with a heated foot massager that was designed with insights from real massage therapists.
🌹 Instead of a bouquet that only lasts a week, opt for these forever roses that will stay beautiful for years to come.
🧥 Keep them warm with this 4.6-star rated sherpa-lined flannel that’s both dapper + durable.
⛳ The golf lover in your life will appreciate this accessory case for storing their gloves, balls, tees, and markers.
Looks like we’ve got some undercover meteorologists in the comment section. About 28% of our readers predicted that Fort Worth would receive 2-6 inches of snow last weekend. Over 50% of readers guessed less than two inches.
So, what were the actual totals? According to WFAA, Fort Worth got 0.04" of ice and 2.5" of snow.
Hey look — it’s Mo in the snow. Mo is a rare albino buffalo, who will be making an appearance at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo tomorrow, Jan. 31. So if you’ve never seen an albino buffalo up close and personal before — well, here is your chance. Head to the northwest corner of Rip Johnson Road and Burnett Tandy Drive.
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