Upcoming events this weekend in Central Texas include a Santa send-off at the Temple airport and a concert by Lee Roy Parnell, a Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame member, at the CAC in Temple.
Storywalk
The city of Belton is offering a Storywalk program today through Friday, Dec. 27, along the Nolan Creek Hike and Bike Trail. The program features pages from a children’s book set along a walking trail with the goal of promoting literacy and exercise.
This month’s featured book is “The Night Before Christmas†by Clement C. Moore.
Participants are advised to park at Harris Community Park, go down the hiking trail and turn right. The schedule is subject to change due to weather.
Toy drive
The Pistons on the Creek car show group will hold a toy drive event at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at The Gin at Nolan Creek, 298 S. East St. in Belton.
The event will include a car show featuring classic, modern, muscle, rat rod and exotic vehicles.
Attendees are encouraged to bring an unopened new toy to be donated to Foster Love Bell County, which helps children in foster care and the child welfare system.
The event is free and open to the public.
Winter Water Wonderland
The city of Temple parks and recreation department encourages the community to “dive into holiday magic†during Winter Water Wonderland, a holiday-themed event, at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at the heated pool at Sammons Community Center, 2220 W. Ave. D in Temple.
The event will include holiday crafts, games, a dive-in movie, hot cocoa and cookies.
Admission is $5. For details and registration click on the “Winter Water Wonderland” link at hollyjollytemple.com.
Santa’s send-off
Santa is preparing to head back to the North Pole and members of the community are invited to a send-off event for the Jolly Old Elf set to run from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport, 7720 Airport Road in Temple.
The event will include light refreshments, holiday music, photos with Santa, and a countdown as Santa departs in a helicopter for the North Pole.
The event is free, but pre-registration is required. To register, click on the “Santa Send-Off” link at hollyjollytemple.com.
Comedy show
Just Joshing Comedy and Basura Triangle Productions will present “Beers and Belly Laughs,†a free comedy show, at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday at the BJ’s Brewery tasting room at 602 E. Central Ave. in Temple.
Featured comedians will include Justin Moreno, Tim Warner and Ke’Juan Moses with Jeremiah Red as host.
Walk with a Doc
Baylor Scott & White Health will hold its monthly Walk with a Doc program at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Miller Park, 1919 N. First St. in Temple.
The program features a health expert giving advice on healthy living followed by a walk around the park.
This month, Dr. Todd Bohannon will talk about avoiding and treating common leg conditions such as varicose veins, swelling and cramping.
The program is free and open to the public.
Live music
Larry Burgin and Texas Tradition will perform at a country and western dance at 6:30 p.m. today at the Belton Senior Activity Center, 842 Mitchell St. in Belton. Admission is $5.
James Stone will perform at 6 p.m. today; Marshall G will perform 7 p.m. Friday; Eric Turner will perform at 6 p.m. on Saturday; and Jonna Mae will perform at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Barrow Brewing Company, 108 Royal St. in Salado.
The We Are Music Salado program will hold a community Christmas sing-along event at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Salado Museum and College Park, 423 S. Main St. in Salado. Salado songwriter Richard Paul Thomas and other local musicians will lead everyone in singing favorite songs and carols. Saturday’s performance will end with a small gathering outside the museum as part of the Make Music Days Winter Solstice Celebration. The event is free and open to the public.
Lee Roy Parnell will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Azalee Marshall Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N. Third St. in Temple. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door and may be purchased at cacarts.org.
Borderline will perform at 8 p.m. on Friday and People’s Choice will perform at 9 p.m. on Saturday at Bo’s Barn Dancehall, 4984 W. FM 93 in Temple. There is a $10 cover charge each evening.
Dan Holmes and Heather Shook of All Request Pianos will perform dueling piano concerts at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Beltonian Theatre, 219 E. Central Ave. in Belton. Tickets are $19.99 and may be purchased by clicking on the events link at thebeltoniantheatre.com.
The Jazz Daddies will perform at 6 p.m. on Friday and Charles Knickerbocker will perform at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Fire Street Pizza, 10310 FM 439 in Belton.
The Jerry Haisler Trio with Brandi Clarke and Billy Pitts will perform at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Ratibor Country Grill, 10226 FM 2086 in Temple.
LaDezz will perform at a Christmas dance at 8 p.m. on Saturday at VFW Post 3892, 201 VFW Drive in Harker Heights. Admission is $20.
The Temple Symphony Orchestra will present “Sounds of the Season,” a holiday concert, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center at Temple College, 1500 S. Fifth St. in Temple. The program will include excerpts from “The Nutcracker,” “A Christmas Carol” and other holiday favorites. Tickets cost $30 for adults and $15 for students and may be purchased at www.templesymphonyorchestra.org.
