EVENTS

The Historic West End is host to events that includes sports, educational or "just plain fun and entertaining" activities.

The Taste of Dallas
2nd Weekend In July
The Taste of Dallas (Taste) is a three-day festival offering food from more than 30 local restaurants; non-stop entertainment from local, regional and national performers; art, jewelry and crafts from select vendors; and interactive booths featuring activities for children, adults and even dogs!

The musical line-up consists of more than 30 local, regional and national talents with performances covering the spectrum of musical genres on three major stages.

Celebrating its 19th year, the Taste has expanded beyond 10 city blocks. Nearly 400,000 visitors are expected to converge on the historical streets of the West End District.

TX-OU/OU-TX Weekend in the West End
October (dates vary)
Rabid fans supporting either Texas or OU migrate to the West End in October to cheer on their team. Depending on where you are from, Texas-OU or OU-Texas weekend is one of football’s best and most fierce rivalries.

Football fans wear their team colors and celebrate what is otherwise known as TX-OU/OU-TX Weekend in the West End. Revelers will enjoy viewing the game on a jumbo event screen, listen to live music, participate in friendly TX vs. OU (or OU vs. TX) interactive games and enjoy great food from the infamous West End restaurants.

This year, the weekend will start Friday, October 7 and continue thru Saturday, October 8, 2005.

Downtown Improvement District Out-To-Lunch Series
Each Friday in May, June, September and October
Noon to 1:00 pm
Free outdoor entertainment series. Bring a brown bag lunch, a picnic basket or utilize the "to go" option from one of the many restaurants in the West End, and enjoy some open-air concerts from noon to1:00 pm each Friday in May, June, September and October.

Music is from all genres and is provided by nationally and locally recognized performers.


The Out-To-Lunch Series alternates locations throughout the downtown Dallas area.

Victory Fest
March Madness (Big 12 Championships)
March 9 through 12, 2006
The West End is home to fans and players during the playoffs of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship and the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship.

Giant screens display continuous action of playing teams so everyone has up-to-the minute live-action play. The West End is the venue of choice for those who cannot go to the game; many students and alums come to the West End to join in the fun.

Four different teams have won the nine Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament championships. Kansas and Oklahoma have recorded three apiece, while Oklahoma State has earned two and Iowa State one.

The Big 12 will also host 2006 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship First and Second Round games on March 17 and 19, 2006.

North Texas Police Motorcycle Training Competition
May (dates vary)
The Police Motorcycle Training Competition is a timed, precision riding event in which motorcycle officers throughout the United States and Mexico test their skills and agility against other officers by simulating actual road hazards that officers commonly encounter and giving competitors an opportunity to exhibit their skills. Training and testing of these skills is imperative to prevent accidents and injuries from occurring. The event, which draws thousands of spectators, is open to the general public and is free of charge.

Other fun activities include Cop N Kids autograph booth; a coloring contest, Seatbelt Rollover convincer, Child Restraint Display, Kids Bicycle Safety Rodeo, Police Displays, DARE Vehicles, Beat the Heat Dragster and much more.

The entertaining and educational event benefits a charity which is chosen each year. In previous years, the benefits have helped the Special Olympics and Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)

Holiday Magic In The West End
December (dates vary)
Straight from the wintry wonderland of the North Pole, the West End Association and The Shops at West End MarketPlace bring the Yuletide spirit to the metroplex with a holiday celebration.

Families will enjoy a day of fun and frivolity including live entertainment, holiday ice carving, decorated restaurant patios and holiday activities for kids. The event immediately follows the Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children’s Parade.

Professional Bull Riders Block Party
Saturday, June 25, 2005
The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) kicked off a day of bull riding and fun with a block party in the West End on Saturday, June 25, 2005, from 11:00 am to midnight in the West End Historic District. The block party included everything from live bulls and top PBR bull riders to live entertainment and "Scoops Hoops", which is Fritos 20 pop-a-shot interactive game.

Another special attraction was the Virtual Bullfighter Challenge brought to you by Dickies, which gives the bullfighter in everyone the chance to display their skills. Other attractions included PBR;s exclusive merchandise booth, the Ford and PBR Payload Challenge, the Army Monster Garage display and many more. A bouncy house, inflatable bull and a variety of games and activities was scheduled for kids of all ages.

The block party represents only a fraction of what promises to be a dynamic weekend featuring the best bull riders in the world. This event included the world’s top 45 bull riders.

Puro Tejano Concert Series 2005
Wednesday Evenings, 6 pm – 11 pm August 10, 17, 24, 2005
A free Tejano outdoor concert series featuring Tejano and Grammy Award winning artists. Whether you come alone or in a group, you will be sure to enjoy the music and atmosphere.

This series is for adults only. Everyone must be at least 21 years of age to be admitted to the event. Artists subject to change.

Jimmy Gonzalez Y Mazz August 10, 2005

Jay Perez August 24, 2005

David Lee Garza Y Los Musicales August17,2005