Cheap This Weekend: May 23-25

FWotC’s “Free This Weekend” post has always been a big hit, but due to popular demand, I’m starting a NEW feature: A “Cheap This Weekend” post. I’ll list weekend entertainment options that cost less than $20 per person (this is for admission only, not including gas and other optional purchases at the event). Have some fun, without digging too far into your wallet, with these events:

Head up to Ennis on Friday, Saturday or Sunday for the National Polka Festival. (Admit it, you’re a fan.) There will be a parade Saturday morning to kick off the festivities, plus Czech food for purchase, and – of course – polka music! Visit https://www.nationalpolkafestival.com for info. Adult tickets are $7 on Friday, $11 on Saturday and $10 on Sunday. Kids 12 and under are free.

Go on an educational nature hike Saturday, May 23, at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, from 10 to 12 p.m. Admission is $5, and free if you’re a member visit https://www.fwnaturecenter.org for details. The Nature Center will also have a canoe tour of the West Fork of the Trinity on that day, from 8:30 a.m. to noon – cost for that is $20.

The Van Cliburn piano competition kicks off May 22, and guess what? Tickets are cheap! Well, they can be cheap. They start at just $15. They’re selling out quick, so visit https://www.centralticketoffice.com to reserve your seats (the “gallery” section seats are cheapest). Note that they don’t allow kids under 12 years old.

Ongoing: The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame currently has a “Sound Around” hands-on exhibition devoted to the topic of resonancy and vibration. Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for kids (under 2 is free). Visit https://www.fortworthmuseum.org.

If you feel like venturing eastward to Dallas, the best bargain this weekend is definitely ArtFest 2009 in Fair Park. It’s held from May 22-24. All kinds of art are included in this event, from performing art to paintings to jewelry. Get tickets for only $5 apiece by buying them in advance at any Tom Thumb. They’re $6 at the gate. Kids under 6 are free! They’ll be having plenty of family-friendly stuff there, so don’t hesitate to bring the kiddos (and Fido – dogs are admitted for a buck).

If you believe in ghosts – or even if you don’t – check out the daily Ghost Tours of Fort Worth, starting at the Stockyards Hotel. Call 817-625-6427 to make your reservation. Tickets are $15 each.

Make it an all-American Memorial Day with a baseball game. The Fort Worth Cats aren’t playing this weekend, but the Texas Rangers will play the Yankees on Monday. Grandstand seats start at just $11. There will also be a pre-game concert that day. Click this link to buy.

I think sparkly stuff is fun to look at. If you agree, come to the Will Rogers Memorial Center on Saturday or Sunday and see their “Jumpin’ for Geodes” show, featuring fossils, beads, jewelry, minerals and gems. It’s $4-5 per person. See this link for directions. Event starts at 9 a.m.

Here’s my personal weekend pick: The “Studs & Suds” Micro-Brew Festival at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie. You can sample a variety of microbrews, and admission is only $5! Visit https://www.lonestarpark.com for directions to the park. It’s from noon to 4 p.m.