Fall isn't just a season in Somervell County, it is a state of mind. Starting in early October you will see just how festive our little town can be. With decorated storefronts, pumpkins-a-plenty and the Historic Glen Rose Courthouse Square ROARING with excitement, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Beginning on Thursday, October 28th with our first ever Roars & Gourds Grub Crawl, locals and visitors alike are invited to enjoy weekend-long dining deals from our featured eateries while entering to win a treat simply for eating out!
Kicking off the weekend we have one of our most anticipated events, Fossilmania, at the Somervell County Expo Center. This is a weekend-long, free, family-friendly event put on by the Dallas Paleontological Society showcasing amazing finds, fossil collectors and vendors, activities, and auction.
The fall season tends to bring some much-needed cooler temperatures to our neck of the woods and to celebrate we welcome families to bring their little ones and even those of us who may just still be a kid at heart to one of our best kept secrets, Heritage Park on the Paluxy, for a drive-in style movie. With a food truck serving on site, holiday movie on the screen and a playground for the kiddos not quite ready to sit still, all you need to bring is a lawn chair and yourself.
Now that the weekend is in full swing you can head over to Dinosaur Valley State Park and help them track down a dinosaur that mysteriously escaped. Fret not because dinosaur hunters of all ages and skill are welcome to join us all weekend long to locate this "TRICK-o-saurus" on the DSVP Dino Hunt.
Back on the town square you'll be able to vote on your favorite store front decor while perusing our eclectic selection of shops and treats. As local farmers set up their homemade goods for our weekly Farmer's Market, you will hear live Texas Country music from one of the many touring artists passing through to grace us with their talents before hitting the road again.
Wrapping up Roars & Gourds on Halloween is Safe Treat on the Square and National Night out. This is one of our favorite events each year. Seeing the community come together to provide free family fun in a safe setting is something we sure are proud of. On All Hallows Eve you will find the square full of local businesses and organizations hosting games, photo opportunities and of course CANDY for the community to enjoy. In our small town we do every holiday up BIG. So, fear not if you were not able to join us in the fall because starting on November 28th, we trade our Roars & Gourds for Kris Kringle and all the bells that jingle. We may not experience a white Christmas very often, but in Somervell County we radiate all things Merry & Bright. Christmas shopping will be easy with local shops and boutiques as well as vendors on the Historic Glen Rose Square. Once the sun starts to set, grab some hot cocoa, take your seats, and wait for Santa Clause himself to lead our Merry & Bright Lighted Parade through our beautiful town. Following the parade, everyone can join in on a Christmas Carol or two while counting down the seconds until the lighting of the Christmas Tree displayed on the town square.
If you are the type who enjoys artisanal gifts, delicious food and amazing memories, the Heritage Park Christmas Bazaar is where you need to be on December 2nd and 3rd. Featuring a gift-wrapping station, scrumptious eats, carriage rides and of course shopping, this year's Bazaar will be on to remember. Guests can enjoy the decor, stroll the riverwalk, find the perfect gift and so much more at this truly special event. And if you don't like shopping on an empty stomach, on Saturday, December 3rd from 7-10am the American Legion has partnered with Barnard's Mill & Art Museum and the Lion's Club to host a FREE pancake breakfast with Santa himself. Families can make memories together while making crafts with the elves, visiting with Santa, or of course enjoying delicious pancakes before hitting the Bazaar.
So, whether you are planning to fall in love with Glen Rose during Roars & Gourds or if you're going to jingle with us and Mr. Kringle, we cannot wait to see you in Somervell County where history, heart and hospitality will never go extinct.