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“Red. White. Blue: Veterans Day in Dallas” image by DFW photographer Joseph Haubert

I just got back from a “working” Caribbean Cruise (that’s why no WW last week) and let’s just say a super-crowded ship is not the place for a crowd-anxious claustrophobe like me. I’m still recovering, so I’ve been taking it easy, but now I’m back in the saddle!

We have revamped our blog commenting system so that you no longer have to sell your soul or offer up your first born in order to comment. (Though your child is lovely, sir.) So we would love to have your feedback NOW MORE THAN EVER, and let us know how we’re doing at this whole sharing the Fun Stuff thing.

As part of our Holiday Out of the Box campaign, we are doing a LOT of giveaways. FunCity Stuff has some really great sponsors and supporters, like our friends at American Airlines Center. Hop over to the Amy Grant/Michael W. Smith AND Trans-Siberian Orchestra holiday performance giveaway page to enter, or if you have already signed up to receive our newsletter, you’re already in the running.

Ok, NOW to our long list of Weekend Whirlwind events and FunCity Stuff …

Plano

If you’ve been looking for a chance to throw some stuff really far, the 5th Annual SLINGFEST at Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve in Plano might be just what you need. This Sunday from 11a to 4p, the DFW Trebuchet Society (I thought that was just a cool font) hosts the event that “exploits leverage and gravity.” If you haven’t built your own catapult and don’t have fruit that deserves a good flinging, spectators can watch for $10/adult and $5/child when you arrive day-of.

Irving

BrickUniverse is a LEGO-lovers dream at the Irving Convention Center and they’ve reduced the entry fee from $30 to $15 for a single day’s ticket (under two years old = free). Here’s a list of the activities. Is it weird to go without little kids, because this sounds like a blast.

Fort Worth

• There’s been a Greek festival at least once a month in DFW through Fall, and here comes a big one in Fort Worth, big enough to have a Guide Book. Admission is one thin dollar, with free parking and shuttle service (wow, this must be big) but bring your bank account so you can buy all the foods. Bring us back something in flaky pastry, please.

• Here’s a link to live music all around Fort Worth. h/t Reddit.​

• If you’re new to Fort Worth and wondered where to get your rodeo and bull-riding fix, there are family-friendly shows in the Stockyards year round on Fridays at 8pm. Two hours of quality cowboy tourism. Ticket prices vary widely. ​

Arlington

 This Adventure To Santa at Parks At Arlington Mall is new to me, and I’ve been browsing their site to see what exactly it is. [h/t Guidelive] In a nutshell, it seems to be a gimmick to purchase high-end photos with Santa or a high-octane, high-dollar “tell Santy-Claws what you want for Christmas.” It’s a “4D” DreamWorks DreamPlace experience, which may explain the $$. It’s $40 – $74 for the 20-minute experience, and according to the mall info, you’ll:

• Visit & explore Santa’s home
• Take a sleigh “ride”
• Meet Santa & pose for a photo

In the FAQs, it says it’s possible to experience the Adventure without buying a photo package, but I walked through the reg process and that option must be on-site only (first come, first served and all that). With hours almost daily until 6p Christmas Eve, I’ll borrow a young’un and report back if it’s worth your time.

• My two cents: Watch the “View A Sneak Peek” video before reading FAQs – it helps understand what this is.

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Giveaway Sponsor:  FlightDeck Trampoline Park

This activity center is a huge connected matrix of indoor trampolines for fun and exercise to those with good knees. This Weekend Whirlwind Giveaway is FOUR PASSES to either Arlington off I-20 or Fort Worth’s FlightDeck location on Scott St. They have Cool Zone frozen yogurt available for purchase so you can carb load before bouncing it all off. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook. Leave us a love note in the comments below by Wednesday, Nov. 18, 5p CST to be entered to win!

Grapevine

Philately is a fun word, and it sounds kinda dirty. This weekend you can talk to fellow frolicking philatelists at the Stamp Expo put on by the Mid-Cities Stamp Club! Friday and Saturday with silent auction, exhibits, awards/judging, a dinner Friday night and what looks like a LOT more. (What’s a bourse?) I can’t find an entry fee, and there usually IS one at the Grapevine Convention Center, but I don’t see it on their site. Might be a great place to take kids old enough to appreciate tiny art and delicate collectibles. Note: 1970s-looking website probably not indicative of the show’s depth.

Denton

• It might be early for some of you, but I’m one of THOSE people who can listen to Christmas music year round, so I’m kind of excited for the Downtown Denton Holiday Open House on Saturday and Sunday (individual store hours vary). There will be refreshments, door prizes, and discounts at the 40+ stores that are participating on the Square. They are also encouraging folks to purchase a new child-sized coat and donating it. There’s a list of where to drop these off at the link.

• There are 7 showings of Rocky Horror Picture Show at Campus Theatre & POINTBank Black Box starting Friday. They expect tickets to sell quickly so go here, now. (For you hard cores, no lighters, rice or toast. Visit their Facebook if you have no idea what I’m talking about.)

• Han YOLO! Tuesday, November 17 at 7p is a free showing of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. More details on their Facebook event page. h/t WeDentonDoIt

Burleson

Despite the fact we are already hearing jingle bells in the radio commercials, technically it’s still fall. And Lost Oak Winery is having their Fall Festival this Saturday, Nov 14, from 4p-9p. Music by Shoot Low, bounce house, food. Dare we say there might be wine? Sunday is their final pumpkin patch day, so this is your chance to get your photo opps in. It says the event is $4.71 entry fee –  go here. [They are also doing a $25 Wine Down Brunch on Sunday, and if you follow us on Twitter, you know we love brunch.]

Lewisville

The BigD Cats “Charmonix II” is sailing on an adults-only dinner cruise on Lewisville Lake Saturday evening 7:15p-9:30p, with full fajita dinner catered by Blue Mesa Grill. Might be smart to bring a heavy sweater, and your own booze. It’s possible they could cancel if they don’t get the number of attendees, so if you’re on the fence, book now. $65 per person. [I was on this boat back in October — it’s roomy and clean.] He is better at calls than emails: 214.705.3772.

Dallas

• From Nov 15-19, there is special $10 per person pricing for the Dallas Arboretum 12 Days of Christmas at Night. Walk the grounds to peruse the fab holiday decor from 6p-9p this week only at this deep discount that includes parking! ​

• The band Evanescence is coming to South Side Ballroom on Sunday at 8p. It looks like the only seats available are at Resale, but maybe last-minute tickets will open up.

• House of Blues Gospel Brunch is a long-standing tradition. This Sunday at 11:30a and 1:30. Buy tickets here for $40​ or go to their site to see the menu and performers. One day, we want to flash mob this event with a bunch of us (and you). FunCity Gospel has a nice ring to it, right?

• Mavs vs Lakers (basketball) on Friday evening, then Stars vs. Wild​ (ice hockey) Saturday, then Joseph Prince on Sunday, all at the American Airlines Center. Check out the  AAC events calendar here to learn more or link over to tickets.

• I normally wouldn’t promote a sale event that has a single brand (unless they payin’ me, yo), but this seems like something you might want to know about. TOMS warehouse sale at Fair Park actually started Thursday but it runs through Sunday, Nov. 15. More info on their Facebook page here.​

You can check out our posts on where to find great Farmers Markets in DFW; get a closer look at the healthy to-go eatery Snap Kitchen; read my take on an incredible foodie event by Chefs for Farmers; Tre’s review on the Dallas Observer BrewFest 2015; free places for introverts to visit and get some damn peace; see some gorgeous pictures of The Joule in Dallas by Nosh and Nurture; see what the Dallas Heritage Village has to offer; and please read my open-mic-worthy Grinchy rant!

That was surely my longest Weekend Whirlwind yet, but after missing a couple of weeks, I figured I owed ya’ll. Please share, comment and love all over this. Thank you!