Now is the time to get out and enjoy the weather before the temperatures in Texas rise as we get closer to summer. Luckily, there are a number of festivals, live music, and family-friendly events happening outside this week to do just that. Read on for details on these and more.
April 19
The Killeen Animal Services Pet Adoption Event will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at III Corps Express (AAFES), 1002 T.J. Mills Blvd., Fort Cavazos. Go to www.killeentexas.gov/animals to view adoptable pets.
Central Texas Theatre, 3401 S. W.S. Young Drive in Killeen, will host its production of “Mean Girls: High School Version” April 19-21 and April 26-28. Tickets range from $12 to $22. Go to www.showpass.com/meangirlshsversion/ for tickets and showtimes.
High Chaparral Youth Center, 5485 Hoover Hill Road at Fort Cavazos, will host the Uncharted Escape Room: Escape from the White Monkey Temple, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. This event is open to all youth in grades sixth to twelfth that are registered with Child Youth Services. Call 254-287-5646 for more information.
The Harker Heights Public Library, 400 Indian Trail, will host its Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale from 2 to 6 p.m. April 19 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 20. The library also hosts a variety of virtual and in-person livestreams, children’s programs, story times, crafts, and other activities with details posted throughout the week on its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/harkerheightspubliclibrary/.
Schoepf’s BBQ, 702 E. Central Ave. in Belton, will host the free Shooter FM Acoustic Lunch with live music by Kin Faux, Brit Kerr, and Frankie G from noon to 1 p.m.
Bo’s Barn Dance Hall and Club will host live music by Scooter Dubec and Sterling Country from 8 p.m. to midnight April 19. Cover is $10. Broken Arrow will perform from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. April 20. Cover is $10. The dance hall is at 4984 W. Farm-to-Market 93, Temple. Catch karaoke from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. every Thursday. Happy Hour is from 5 to 10 p.m. every Thursday, and 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. For more information, go to www.bosbarndancehall.com, or call 254-939-7131.
Fire Street Pizza, 10310 Farm-to-Market 439 in Belton, will host free live music by Trevor Helt from 6 to 9 p.m. April 19, Gary Cain from 6 to 9 p.m. April 20, and acoustic music by Martian Folk from noon to 3 p.m. April 21.
Terlingua on Main, 112 N. Main St. in Salado, will host free live music by Chris Manning from 8 to 10 p.m. April 19, Tylor Brandon from 8 to 10 p.m. April 20, and Joel Wood from noon to 4 p.m. April 21.
Twice as Funny Comedy Lounge, 420 Avenue C in Killeen, will host The Ratt Packs of Comedy at 9 p.m. April 19, and 8 p.m. April 20. Tickets start at $20. Go to www.twiceasfunnycomedylounge.com to purchase in advance.
Barrow Brewing Company, 108 Royal St. in Salado, will host free live music by Amanda Brown at 7 p.m. April 19, Hope Irish at 11 a.m. and Not Past 11 at 7 p.m. April 20, and Jake Waylon at 4 p.m. April 21.
April 20
The Fort Cavazos Army Ten Miler Qualifier will be at 7 a.m. at the Pecan Pavilion at Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area. This event is for active-duty soldiers who are 18 and older that would like to compete for a spot on the Ten Miler Team representing Fort Cavazos at the Army Ten Miler in Washington, D.C., in October. On-site registration starts at 7 a.m. and the run begins at 8 a.m.
The Centralized Post Wide Yard Sale will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 50003 Clear Creek Road, Fort Cavazos.
The Lampasas Animal Shelter, 301 College St., will host its Spring Fling event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be animal-related vendors, adoptable pets, and a low-cost shot clinic for cats and dogs from 9 to 11 a.m.
The second annual Salado Porch and Planet Festival will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the front porches, stoops, yards, or driveways of businesses along Main Street from Salado Plaza Drive to College Hill Drive, and on Royal and Rock Streets. There will be a spring plant sale, barbecue cookoff, live music, vendors, and more. Go to www.visitsaladotexas.com for more information.
The Free Healthy and Nutritional Food Distribution event will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at 104 E. Beeline Lane, Harker Heights. Goods are distributed first-come, first-served.
Keep Nolanville Beautiful will host the fourth annual Monarch Festival from 10 a.m. to noon at Monarch Park, 100 Gold Star Lane, Nolanville. There will be vendors, a DJ, kite flying, petting zoo, butterfly release, face painting, and more at this free event.
Children’s Advocacy Center of Central Texas will host the Family Fun Day: Child Abuse Prevention Fair from 10 a.m. to noon at Carl Levin Park, 400 Millers Crossing, Harker Heights. There will be vendors, bounce houses, interactive booths, resources, and more at this free event.
The Lampasas Fire Department will host an official Push-In Ceremony for its new fire engine, at 10 a.m. at 1107 E. Fourth St. This event is open to all city officials and staff, as well as the citizens of Lampasas.
The 17th annual Family Fitness and Wellness Fairwill be from noon to 4 p.m. at the Killeen Special Events Center, 3301 S. W.S. Young Drive. This is a free, family-friendly event and will feature vendors, a farmers market, fun zone, live entertainment, and an adaptive fitness area for those with special needs.
Harker Heights Parks and Recreation will host Geocaching 101 from noon to 2 p.m. at Carl Levin Park, 400 Miller’s Crossing. This come-and-go program will feature geocaching for kids and teens and is free to attend.
The Carlson Law Firm, 100 E. Central Texas Expressway in Killeen, will host a Día Del Niño celebration from noon to 2 p.m. This free community event will feature games and prizes for all ages, food, drinks, a bounce house, giveaways for adults and children, and more.
Lampasas Community Gardens will host a Foraging Class from noon to 2 p.m. at 501 E. North Ave., Lampasas, behind the Hanna Springs Pool. A $15 donation is suggested. Go to https://tinyurl.com/bdenb7ce to reserve a spot and for more information.
The Kids and Family Spring Expo and Just as Nice Consignment Sale will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at 3701 S. W.S. Young Drive, Killeen. There will be vendors, children’s characters, a coloring station, clothing, and more. Admission is $3 per child ages 2 and up. Adults are free. Go to https://tinyurl.com/yc4ekvm9 for more information.
Bird Creek Brewing, 8 S. Fourth St. in Temple, will host The Tortured Poets Swiftie Night at 7 p.m. There will be a new beer release to celebrate Swift’s new album release, as well as karaoke, and more.
Campfire Bar and Grill, 146 County Road 4814 in Copperas Cove, will host free live music by The Backroads Band at 7 p.m.
Scores Pizza and Wings, 219 S. East St. in Belton, will host free live music by Ashley Blake from 7 to 10 p.m.
Joker’s IceHouse Bar and Grill, 7900 S. Clear Creek Road in Killeen, will host live music by Greg Showman and The Back Creek Band from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Cover is $10 at the door.
April 21
The 3 Texans Winery and Vineyard, 7536 Farm-to-Market Road 2409 in Temple, will host Goat Yoga and Wine from noon to 1 p.m. Tickets range from $28 to $38. Go to www.goatshenanigans.com to register in advance.
Empresario Wines, 7 N. Main St. in Salado, will host free live music by Bob Case from 3 to 5 p.m.
April 25
The Boardroom for Business Owners: Military Edition will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Central Texas College Fort Cavazos Campus, 3200 72nd St. This one-day workshop will provide guidance, advice, and resources for entrepreneurs. This event is open to active-duty military, retirees, and military spouses. Registration is required. Reserve a spot by calling 254-288-2089 or 254-287-1127.
Upcoming Events
The Bell County Master Gardener Association will present a hands-on workshop, “Garden Tool Sharpening and Maintenance,” from 9 a.m. to noon April 27 at the Texas Agrilife Extension Office, BCMGA Learning Center, 1605 N. Main St., Belton. There will be information on how to sharpen garden tools, including demonstrations on sharpening, repairing, and cleaning. Participants should bring their dull bypass pruners or other small garden tools and work gloves. Class is limited to 20 people and registration closes April 19, or when capacity is reached. Cost is $25 per person. Register by emailing bcmgaspeakers@gmail.com.
Recurring Events
The City of Killeen Spring Night Market will be from 6 to 9 p.m. April 19, and May 3, 10, and 17 at Historic Downtown Killeen, 305 N. Fourth St. There will be live music, food, local artisans, and more.
The Salado Farmers Market happens every Saturday through September from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Barrow Brewing Company, 108 Royal St., Salado. There will be local farmers, growers, producers, and other small businesses available.
The Copperas Cove Public Library, 501 S. Main St., hosts Yoga with Ed at 5 p.m. and the Refit Exercise Class at 6:30 p.m. every Monday. The Crochet Club also meets at 2 p.m. every Wednesday.
The Mint of Killeen, 220 E. Avenue D, hosts Open Mic Night every Thursday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. All musicians are welcome. Call 254-226-3017 for more information.
The Lampasas Farmers Market will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday at the downtown Lampasas courthouse square.
The Fort Cavazos Newcomers Orientation for Soldiers and Families from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday at the Lone Star Conference Center, Building 5764, 24th St. and Wainwright Drive. Information about services, programs, facilities, community programs and more will be available. Attendees receive a free boxed lunch and access to on-site childcare. Call the Processing Control Station at 254-368-1768 for more information.
Explore, Learning, and Play occurs every Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Bronco Youth Center, 6602 Tank Destroyer Blvd., Fort Cavazos. Parents with children ages 3 years and younger will engage in playgroups that focus on age-appropriate activities and exercises that help build interpersonal skills together. No registration is required. Participants must have a military ID to participate. Call 254-287-2286 for more information.
Chupacabra Craft Beer and Salado Lonestar Winery, 401 S. Main St. in Salado, hosts Trivia Night at 7 p.m. every Wednesday and wine bottles are available for 25% off.
The Killeen Public Library, 205 E. Church Ave., hosts a variety of in-person events for children, teens, and adults every week at both the Main Library and the Copper Mountain Branch Library. Go to https://www.killeentexas.gov/171/Libraries for a full schedule of events.
The Mayborn Science Theater at Central Texas College, 6200 W. Central Texas Expressway in Killeen, hosts a variety of laser shows, movies, and other events based on astronomy. For show descriptions, a full schedule, and ticket prices go to www.starsatnight.org or call 254-526-1800.
Museums and Exhibits
The Lampasas County Museum, 303 S. Western Ave., is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Call 512-556-2224 for more information.
The Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum, 315 W. Avenue B, is hosting its newest exhibit, “Changing the Face of Power: Women in the U.S. Senate,” on display now through May 22. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Every first Saturday of the month, the museum hosts a free, themed Family Day. Go to www.templerrhm.org for more information. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for kids ages 5 to 12, and free for children under 5.
The Bell County Museum, 201 N. Main St. in Belton, is open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Mayborn Museum at Baylor University, 1300 S. University Parks Drive, Waco, has its newest exhibit, “Journey to Space,” on display now. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $8 for kids 12 and under.
The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, 100 Texas Ranger Trail in Waco, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and military, $4 for kids 6 to 12, and kids under 6 are free. Go to www.texasranger.org for more information.
The Salado Museum and College Park, 423 S. Main St., is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Go to www.saladomuseum.org for more information.
The Temple Children’s Museum, 11 N.Fourth St. in Temple, is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. General admission is $6 per person. The museum is geared toward those ages 8 and under and their families for hands-on learning. Go to www.templechildrensmuseum.org for more information.
