Since the Kentucky Derby first ran in 1875, the traditional beverage associated with the 10-furlong race has been the mint julep. And there is no better place in North Texas to sip that bourbon-infused libation than Barrel & Bones, the North Texas craft barbecue specialists with an exceptional bourbon collection.

In honor of the Run for the Roses, all four Barrel & Bones locations will be offering mint juleps for only $5 all day long on Saturday, May 4. Of course, you can stay and watch the race, but the outlandish hats associated with the event are purely optional.

For more information on Barrel & Bones, visit barrelandbonestx.com.

LOCATIONS

Dallas

12300 Inwood Road, Suite 130

Dallas, TX 75244

469-324-4862

Carrollton

1011 S. Main, Suite 110

Carrollton, TX 75006

 469-848-8333

The Colony

2801 Plano Parkway, Suite 140

The Colony, TX, 75056

469-353-8810

Farmers Branch

1980 LBJ Freeway

Farmers Branch, TX 75234

214-778-3769

About Barrel & Bones

Barrel & Bones Craft Bar & Smokehouse celebrates the art of in-house smoked barbecue. The restaurant, with locations in Dallas, The Colony, Carrollton and Farmers Branch, is renowned for its mouthwatering smoked brisket, tender turkey, savory sausages and more. Barrel & Bones’ menu extends beyond the classics to feature chef-driven interpretations of classics that better appeal to today’s discerning diner. In addition to its extraordinary menu, Barrel & Bones offers one of the largest selections of bourbon and whiskey in Dallas/Fort Worth, along with a wide range of craft beers and cocktails.

Get ready to shake your maracas and join the ultimate Cinco de Mayo celebration at Blue Goose Cantina, complete with a day filled with delicious drinks, lively entertainment, and irresistible Mexican cuisine. The Sunday, May 5th fiesta will take place at all seven Blue Goose Cantina locations in Frisco, Plano, Highland Village, McKinney, Grapevine, Fort Worth, and Grand Prairie.

To mark the occasion, sip on Blue Goose’s signature Bloody Marias or enjoy refreshing frozen and on-the-rocks house margaritas and mimosas for just $5 all day long. In addition to delectable drinks, indulge your taste buds with Blue Goose's famous fajitas, top shelf queso, homemade tortillas, enchiladas, tacos, and more. And for the little ones – and the young at heart – all locations will feature paletero carts offering fruity popsicles for the kids and boozy popsicles for the adults, adding an extra touch of sweetness to the festivities. Blue Goose Cantina even puts a spin – literally – on the holiday with blender bikes at the McKinney, Grand Prairie, Frisco, and Fort Worth locations. Margarita lovers who want to keep in shape while having fun will be able to pedal their way to making a great Goose margarita and then quench their thirst afterwards. Whether you're craving savory, spicy or sweet, Blue Goose’s menu has something to satisfy every craving.

But that's not all – prepare to unleash your inner piñata master as Blue Goose Cantina hosts piñata smashing sessions at all seven locations! Swing for sweet victory as custom-made piñatas burst with candy, gum, and even gift cards. Piñata sessions will be held at 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 6:00 PM, ensuring plenty of chances to join in on the fun.

Experience the vibrant sounds of Cinco de Mayo with live mariachi bands performing at Blue Goose locations throughout the day. From Grapevine to Grand Prairie, immerse yourself in the rhythmic melodies of mariachi music while savoring mouthwatering Mexican fare. Mariachi bands will be playing at the Grapevine restaurant during 12:30 - 1:30 PM and 5:30 – 8:30 PM, and at Frisco from 12:00 – 2:00 PM and 4:30 – 6:30 PM. Mariachis will be at Highland Village from 2:00 – 6:00 PM while Grand Prairie will have bands at 12:00 – 3:00 PM. Mariachis will also be at the Fort Worth location from 12:00 – 3:00 PM, at McKinney  from 1:00 – 3:00 PM, and at the Plano restaurant from 2:00 – 6:00 PM.

Established in 1984, Blue Goose Cantina brings together fantastic made-from-scratch Mexican food, legendary cocktails, top-notch service, a fun atmosphere, and a kick-ass attitude. A division of Peterson Management Group, a family-owned and operated restaurant management company, For more information, including menu and locations, visit BlueGooseCantina.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and promotions. #bluegoosecantina

ABOUT PETERSON MANAGEMENT GROUP

Peterson Management Group is a family-owned and operated restaurant management company with 12 restaurants located across North Texas. Founded by Bob Peterson and Scott Holyfield, two guys with larger-than-life personalities, it all started in 1983 with eclectic seafood shack restaurants, Aw Shucks and Big Shucks Oyster Bar. They are the best places in North Texas to get raw oysters, shrimp, catfish, crab legs, po'boy boy sandwiches, a nice cold beer, and  tasty crawfish when in season. In addition to Aw Shucks and Big Shucks, Peterson Management Group opened Blue Goose Cantina in 1984, where fantastic made-from-scratch Mexican food, legendary cocktails, top-notch service, a fun atmosphere and a kick-ass attitude come together. The restaurant chain has repeatedly been voted the best in North Texas for its winning combination of food, fun, and signature margaritas. Today, Nick Peterson, son of Bob, leads the family business, serving as its CEO. For more information, visit PetersonManagementGroup.net.

ROAD TRIP! Book it to Winnsboro for the town’s Annual Festival of Books

Only 2 hours from DFW, it’s literally the best weekend get-away!

Winnsboro Center for the Arts is excited to announce its 6th Annual Festival of Books on Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event allows guests to meet and chat with a number of authors from all over Texas, partake in a novel array of literary activities for all ages and leisurely stroll the picturesque streets of Winnsboro’s downtown Cultural Arts District. The event, on The Bowery in downtown Winnsboro, is FREE for guests and just a quick two-hour drive from Dallas-Fort Worth.

This year’s event features emcee Michael Guinn, a talented Texas poet, author and actor. Mr. Guinn will lead a captivating workshop on instant poetry followed by an open mic poetry slam where participants can showcase their talents. Guinn, an East Texas native, is a two-time National Poetry Slam finalist, a five-time Austin Poetry Slam winner, six-time Fort Worth Poetry Slam winner and a winner at the Toronto Poetry Slam.

Attendees at the festival will have the chance to peruse and purchase books from a selection of published authors from all over Texas who will be available for signings.

For younger guests, there will be a variety of engaging children’s literacy events to enjoy throughout the day. Activities include arts & crafts, story time and an enrollment station for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Throughout the event, book festival guests can meander in and out of downtown Winnsboro’s nine blocks of unique galleries, delightful restaurants and eclectic shops. Stop in for a morning latte at Backstage Coffee or a full breakfast at Haven’s Café. Do lunch at Barrel House Bar & Grill, Maria’s Taqueria, Sinclair Market or Z’s Main Street. Try one of Winnsboro’s barbeque joints recently featured in Texas Monthly, or if you feel like a cold beer, walk over to Cypress Creek Southern Ales brewery, “just behind the old train depot on the south side of the tracks.”

Pick up some handmade soaps and Texas teas at Elm Street Apothecary and admire stunning estate jewelry at The Edison Exchange. Find incredible art, unique gifts and women’s and men’s apparel for the modern country lifestyle at Modern Country Living. Check out one-of-a-kind treasures at Wood County Antique Mall or stop by the Farmer’s Market for locally grown produce, baked goods, fresh jams and jellies.

“We are excited to bring writers and readers to Winnsboro for a day that will have imaginations soaring and words coming to life,” said Tona Blizzard, Winnsboro Center for the Arts festival chair. “This event is a celebration of literature, creativity and community, and a delight for all ages.”

In 2009, Winnsboro was one of the first Texas towns chosen by the Texas Commission for the Arts (TCA) for its Cultural Arts District pilot program, making it the ideal setting for this annual event. The TCA program supports communities with thriving cultural and artistic resources.

Winnsboro’s Cultural Arts District is anchored by Winnsboro Center for the Arts, whose goal is to bring educational programming, cultural experiences and entertainment to the people of Winnsboro and surrounding East Texas communities. The center is a vibrant venue that hosts concerts, theater productions, art exhibits, classes and workshops, and literary events. Its Bowery Stage has attracted well-known performers such as Michael Martin Murphey and Sara Hickman. Winnsboro is also part of the Texas Historical Commission’s Main Street Texas program which supports the preservation of the town’s unique characteristics.

For more information about the Festival of Books event, visit the website.

ABOUT WINNSBORO CENTER FOR THE ARTS: Winnsboro Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Winnsboro, Texas. As a multi-disciplinary arts center, it serves communities throughout Northeast Texas, engaging people in educational programming, cultural experiences, and entertainment.

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that celebrates Mexico's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. And while it's not really a popular holiday in Mexico, across Texas and much of the U.S. it has become a massive celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. North Texas’ most acclaimed new Mexican-inspired restaurant, Black Agave at Mercer Boardwalk in Farmers Branch, will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a two-day fiesta on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5.

Throughout the weekend bash, Black Agave will offer a full array of cocktail and beer specials. The restaurant’s Frozen Margarita Flight, regularly $15.99, offers servings of Key Lime, Mango, Strawberry and Guava margaritas. For Cinco de Mayo, this flight will be offered for $9.99. Plus, the restaurant’s popular House Margarita will be $5 all weekend, along with Mexican beers Tecate, Victoria and El Jalisco. Guests will enjoy sounds by DJ Leo Mix from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 4.

On Sunday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Black Agave will serve a Cinco de Mayo brunch featuring live mariachi music from Mariachi Arraigo de America from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and tunes from DJ Leo Mix from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Brunch favorites include chilaquiles, guisada sopes benedict and torrejas.

Black Agave’s smoking sister restaurant Barrel & Bones is joining the party from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday with a food truck full of fun Tex Mex snacks for sale. Featured treats include:

$5 Elotes - tres chiles, cilantro, cotija cheese and Takis, drizzled with crema and chamoy and served on a stick.

$5 Sandia Fria - chilled watermelon on a stick served with Tajin, cotija cheese and mint.

$2 each or 3 for $5 Suadero Street Tacos - –served with onion, cilantro, queso fresco, avocado cream and on a corn tortilla.

The newly remodeled patio at Black Agave is the perfect place to celebrate a fiesta with a few amigos, and the restaurant has recently opened a new patio bar with fun specialty cocktails perfect for Dallas’ patio season.

Black Agave gives guests an elevated, contemporary Mexican dining experience. Black Agave serves beloved heritage recipes with bold flavors created by Chef Thomas Archer, who uses only the highest-quality ingredients. The restaurant also prides itself on its unique cocktail program, with flavors that complement the restaurant’s food.

For more information on and to RSVP, visit https://www.mercerboardwalk.com/cinco-de-mayo.

Location

Black Agave Cocina y Cantina

1980 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway

Farmers Branch, Texas 75234

469-850-6501

blackagavetx.com

About Black Agave

Black Agave Cocina y Cantina celebrates a taste of Mexican tradition. Guests will indulge in the vibrant flavors and festive ambience at Black Agave, where every moment becomes a reason to celebrate. From the moment you step through our doors, you’ll be immersed in an atmosphere that captures the essence of Mexican culture, while our authentic and delicious meals take your taste buds on a journey of pure delight. Whether you’re savoring a good day, reconnecting with friends, or bidding farewell to the work week, your perfect celebration starts at our table.

Dallas Academy School, nestled in the heart of White Rock Lake, will soon have a new addition to campus. Life-long friends of Head of School, Elizabeth Murski from the Jesuit and Ursuline Class of 1983 have gifted $250,000 towards the creation of a new sensory playground at Dallas Academy in East Dallas. The playground will feature a shade structure, new ground covering, and all new playground equipment, including a special sensory wall for students to enjoy. 

"We are thrilled about the new state-of the art playground and looking forward to having a new fun area where our students can run around and play,” said Elizabeth Murski. "Thanks to the fundraising efforts by high school friends, our students will soon have a safe, shaded and engaging outdoor space to explore.”  

In addition to the playground upgrades, Dallas Academy will be hosting a naming contest for students and staff to participate in. The winning name will be proudly displayed at the entrance of the playground for all to see. 

Construction on the playground is expected to begin during the summer months and is planned to be completed in time for the fall school year. The new sensory playground will provide a valuable resource for students to engage in active play and sensory exploration. 

Founded in 1965, Dallas Academy is the oldest school in Texas to work exclusively with students with learning differences and offers a structured, multisensory program for students to achieve success both in and out of the classroom. Every student on campus is known by all teachers, making it easy for students to be encouraged, praised, and guided toward achieving their goals. 

For more information on the new sensory playground at Dallas Academy, please contact Lisa Loera, Director of Community Relations.