Young anglers will have an opportunity to make a big catch this weekend as area events include multiple free family fishing activities. Other upcoming events include a chili and menudo cook-off sponsored by LULAC, live music and more.
Family fishing events
The city of Belton Parks and Recreation Department will hold a free family fishing event 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday at the landing at Creekside Park at 219 East St. in Belton. Trout will be placed in the water courtesy of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s winter trout stocking initiative. Fishing license requirements will be waived during the event.
The city of Temple Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with Texas Parks & Wildlife will hold “The Big Catch,” a free family fishing day event from 6 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the pond at Miller Park, 1919 N. First St. in Temple. The park pond will be stocked to the gills with rainbow trout and families are welcome to cast their lines to try and hook a big one. Fishing licenses will be waived during the event with a signed waiver. Hot chocolate and donuts will be available at the park pavilion while supplies last.
Craft and color
Z&H Candy, located in the Katy building at 203 N. East St. in Belton, will hold a craft, color and dance event for children at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
The event, which is free, will include craft-making, coloring, and live children’s music.
LULAC chili and menudo cook-off
LULAC Council 22196 will hold its inaugural chili and menudo cook-off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Santa Fe Plaza, 301 W. Ave. A in Temple.
There will be two competitions with prizes for the best chili and best menudo. First place will be awarded $300, second place $200 and third place will receive $100.
There is a $40 entry fee for the cook-off teams. Entry for the public will be free. Those who attend are advised to bring lawn chairs. Entries must be turned in by 3 p.m. and judging will start at 4 p.m.
A meeting to cover event rules and regulations will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday by the stage at the Santa Fe Plaza, after which teams will be welcome to begin setting up their work area.
The event also will include live music by Conjunto Romo and Jesse Perez y Sus Compadres Alegres.
Pepper Creek Family Candy Cane Hunt
The Pepper Creek Family Candy Cane Hunt will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Temple. Families will work together to find hidden candy canes and special treats while walking along Pepper Creek Trail.
Participants will gather at VVM Internet Services at 5606 W. Adams Ave. to meet for the event. Cost is $15 per family. For information or to register, visit templeparks.com/seasonalprograming.
Bell County Museum holiday fest
The Bell County Museum will hold a holiday festival from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about winter holidays from around the world, make a Christmas ornament, Hanukkah menorahs, and Ligligan Parul paper lanterns. The event is completely free and open to all ages.
The museum is located at 201 N. Main St. in Belton.
Birthday party for Jesus
Being His Hands and Feet Ministry will hold a birthday party for Jesus from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Ralph Wilson Youth Club, 1477 S. 25th St. in Temple.
The free family event will include food, crafts, games, entertainment and prizes. The event is open to the public.
Gun show
The Real Gun Show will take place this weekend at the Cadence Bank Center, 301 W. Loop 121 in Belton.
Show hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $8 and NRA members and military service members (with ID) get a $1 discount.
The show will feature vendors selling firearms, hunting and fishing gear, camping supplies and more.
Market events
An evening market event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday inside the Troy Community Center, 201 E. Main St. in Troy. The event will feature local vendors selling a variety of food, crafts and other goods.
An artisan market will take place from 8 a.m. until noon Saturday at 411 E. Central Ave. in Belton. The event will feature vendors selling handcrafted items, soaps, jelly, holiday décor and more.
A holiday market will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the MK&T Depot and The Katy building at 201 N. East St. in Belton. The market will feature more than 40 vendors selling a variety of arts, crafts and more. Food and drink also will be available for purchase from local businesses. Santa also will be available for pictures. Z&H Candy will hold a taffy taste-off competition at noon. The children’s band The Bobas will play Christmas music.
Breakfast with Santa
Santa will be available for free photos at 9 a.m. on Saturday at First Street Roasters, 110 S. First St. in Temple. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Free film screening
The Central Texas Film Society will hold a free screening of the 1984 film “Amadeus” at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Azalee Marshall Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N. Third St. in Temple.
The film follows the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce) as told by Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), the contemporaneous composer who was deeply jealous of Mozart’s talent and claimed to have murdered him.
Live music
The Good Ole Boys band will perform at a country and western dance at 6:30 p.m. today at Sammons Community Center, 2220 W. Ave. D in Temple. Admission is $5 per person and attendees are encouraged to bring a snack dish to share.
Ashley Stark will perform at 4 p.m. today; The Merles will perform at 6 p.m. on Friday; Everett Wren will perform at 6 p.m. on Saturday and The Christmas Brass Band will perform at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Barrow Brewing Company, 108 Royal St. in Salado.
Scoot Dubec and Sterling Country will perform at 8 p.m. on Friday and Dave Jorgenson 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.
Maxx Carter will perform at a Christmas party at 7 p.m. on Friday at Honeycutt’s Bar, 7303 Airport Road in Temple.
Martian Folk will perform at 8 p.m. on Friday at Bird Creek Brewing, 8 S. Fourth St. in Temple.
The Temple Symphony Orchestra will perform a holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in the auditorium at Temple High School, 415 N. 31st St. in Temple. Tickets are $25 and are available online at bit.ly/TSOHoliday2023. In addition to performing a variety of Christmas favorites, Conductor Beau Benson and the orchestra will invite the audience to participate in a sing-along to some holiday classics. Also choirs from Temple, Lake Belton and Belton high schools will be sharing the stage with the orchestra.
The Southern Soul Music Festival will take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday at the Cadence Bank Center, 301 W. Loop 121 in Belton. Performers will include Sir Charles Jones, King George, Pokey Bear, Jeter Jones, TK Soul, Ronnie Bell, Lebrado, and FatDaddy. Tickets are $49.50 and may be purchased online at www.cadencebankcenter.com. Doors open at 7 p.m.
DJ Ben-Jamin and DJ Joe Daddy will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Express 35 Tejano Club, 2503 S. General Bruce Drive in Temple.
