Your trusted source for community news
Log in Subscribe

From blood drives to live music: July events in Carrollton

Posted

Local news. Local voices. Local impact. Sign up for the Branch Herald’s free newsletter covering Farmers Branch, Addison and Carrollton.

City Council Meeting – July 7

All are invited to attend the next Carrollton City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 7. The worksession will begin at 5:45 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber located on the second floor of City Hall (1945 E. Jackson Road). Meetings typically occur on the first and third Tuesday of each month, with minutes becoming available after the Council adopts them, usually at subsequent meetings.

 CPR/AED Training – July 7

Sudden cardiac arrest is a survivable event, but usually only with bystander intervention before Emergency Medical Services arrive. Join Carrollton Fire Rescue on Tuesday, July 7 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Carrollton Fire Administration building (1111 W. Belt Line Road #100) to receive free CPR and AED use training. This class primarily focuses on compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), while also covering choking, and child & infant CPR.

This course is not for those needing a nationally accredited course completion card, such as the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. For more information, call 972-466-9811.

Battle of the Badges Blood Drive – July 10

Roll up a sleeve and save a life by donating blood on Friday, July 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Josey Ranch Lake Library (1700 Keller Springs Road). Show support as the Carrollton Police Department and Carrollton Fire Rescue face off in the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive. Donors can make a difference by choosing Team Fire or Team Police, with the team receiving the most eligible donors earning bragging rights. For more information and to sign up, visit the Red Cross Blood website and enter the sponsor code cityofcarrollton.

Sounds on the Square – July 10

Join the City of Carrollton for the Sounds on the Square music series from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, July 10, in Historic Downtown Carrollton (1106 S. Broadway Street). This community-focused live music series highlights the Downtown Square with monthly performances from talented local artists and performers. This month’s performer is  singer/songwriter Katarina Arriaga, whose rich, soul-stirring sound blends Latin influences, R&B, and modern pop into a captivating musical experience.

Come early to grab a bite from one of the many eclectic restaurants and then shop at the unique stores and boutiques surrounding the square. Attendees are encouraged to bring friends, family, and some lawn chairs to get cozy. For more information, call 972-466-9135.

The Quarterly Art Gallery – July 11

Experience art at the Rosemeade Recreation Center on Saturday, July 11 from 10-11 a.m. The opening reception is free and open to the public. Come meet this month’s featured artists, Bertha Kirkpatrick and Karen Lloyd.

Interested in participating in future quarterly art gallery events or have questions? Email lindsay.cole@cityofcarrollton.com.

Carrollton Fire Entrance Exam – July 18

Become part of the Carrollton Fire Rescue (CFR) team. Registration for the City of Carrollton firefighter exam is now open. The exam will be administered on Saturday, July 18 at 9 a.m. The department provides extensive training, state-of-the-art equipment designed to protect and serve the community, and substantial compensation starting around $79,000. To register, visit theCarrollton Fire Rescue webpage and click on Join CFR. For more information about Carrollton Fire Rescue, call 972-466-3070.

Outdoor Fun in Carrollton

Warmer weather and later sunsets mean more time to get outside and enjoy everything Carrollton has to offer. The City offers plenty of ways to enjoy the warmer season. Play a round at either of Indian Creek Golf Club’s two 18-hole courses, hit the courts for pickleball or tennis at Oak Creek Tennis Center or one of its many satellite courts, or take a stroll along Carrollton’s 19 miles of trails with a four-legged friend. With a range of outdoor amenities available throughout the community, there are plenty of options for staying active and enjoying the season.

No Membership Required to Enjoy Yoga, Pilates, and Group Fitness

Looking for a fun way to stay fit? Carrollton’s local recreation centers offer a variety of group exercise classes, including bootcamps, indoor cycling, Pilates/yoga, and more. The best part? No membership is required. It’s as simple as registering for a class that fits any style and schedule. Many group exercise classes offer affordable drop-in fees, so individuals can try them out before joining. For schedules or to sign up for group exercise classes, visit the registration webpage and select Health & Wellness.

Summer Reading Challenge through August 1
Enjoy a summer full of new adventures with the Carrollton Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge, running from Monday, June 1, to Saturday, August 1. Readers of all ages can stay cool with a good book while earning rewards along the way. Registration is now open. The program offers age-appropriate activities for children through adults, and participants can easily log their reading minutes via the Beanstack app.

Parents of children under five years of age are encouraged to register them in the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program. The Summer Reading Challenge is sponsored by the Friends of the Carrollton Public Library.

Everyday People: The Art of James E. Ransome Exhibit

The Josey Ranch Lake Library will host Everyday People: The Art of James E. Ransome from Monday, June 1 through Saturday, August 1. This free, all-ages exhibit showcases the acclaimed illustrator’s oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings celebrating everyday life and joyful moments. Ransome, known for illustrating more than 75 books, has received multiple honors, including the Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration. The exhibit is organized by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature in Abilene, Texas.

Carrollton Fire Rescue Encourages Pool Safety
This summer, Carrollton Fire Rescue encourages parents and guardians to closely supervise young children around water. Always watch children in the bathtub and designate a responsible adult to supervise them while swimming or playing in or near water. Often, drowning occurs quickly and quietly. Preschool-aged children should remain within arm’s reach at all times while swimming, and adults should not be engaged in other activities, such as reading, using their phones, or mowing the lawn while watching children. Stay safe and cool this summer with these pool safety resources.

Splash Parks Open

Both the Oak Hills Splash Park (1225 Royal Palm Lane) and W.J. Thomas Splash Park (1955 N. Perry Road) are open for the season. No activation is required as the features will automatically run from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pavilions, tables, shaded areas, grills, and a deck are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Restrooms are also on-site. For more information, call 972-466-3080 or visit the splash parks information page.

Festival at the Switchyard Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available
The City of Carrollton is excited to offer local and national businesses an opportunity to get their name out to the Carrollton community, Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and beyond by becoming an official sponsor of the City of Carrollton’s signature event, the 16th annual Festival at the Switchyard. This year’s event will be held Saturday, November 7, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Historic Downtown Carrollton (1106 S. Broadway Street).

The Festival at the Switchyard features free, family-friendly concerts with nationally known headliners, local craft and artisan booths, a plethora of food vendors, a beer garden, unique Downtown shopping opportunities, and a free activity area for kids with rides, games, face painting, and more. Each year, the Festival draws more than 40,000 people to Historic Downtown Carrollton to enjoy the festivities, making the Festival at the Switchyard the flagship event for brands seeking to stand out in a sea of fall festivals.

For more information and to view sponsorship information or packages, visit the Sponsors page at carrolltonfestival.com or emailfestival@cityofcarrollton.com.

Festival at the Switchyard Vendor Application Now Open

The City of Carrollton has opened applications for craft and food vendors to participate in the 16th annual Festival at the Switchyard set for Saturday, November 7 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Historic Downtown Carrollton (1106 S. Broadway Street). Applications are open now through Wednesday, September 30 by 11:59 p.m. The application is available to download on the Vendors page at carrolltonfestival.com.

Vendor booth spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply before Friday, July 31 to receive a $25 early-bird discount. Businesses that do not sell tangible goods will only be allowed to participate as sponsors. For more information about Festival vendor or sponsorship opportunities, email festival@cityofcarrollton.com or call 972-466-3084.

Fight the Bite
The City of Carrollton is taking action to Fight the Bite. The City’s surveillance program has 14 fixed testing sites. Each week, mosquitoes will be collected from seven of these sites, and the following week, the next seven will be tested. Mosquito trapping and monitoring occur weekly during mosquito season, which runs through October. Additionally, the City reminds citizens of the importance of following the four Ds:

DEET: Use insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon or eucalyptus while outside.
DRESS: Wear long, loose, and light-colored clothing when outdoors.
DRAIN: Remove all areas of standing water in and around the home.
DUSK & DAWN: Limit outdoor activities during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

Water Restrictions in Effect

Each year, the City of Carrollton’s Water Conservation Plan calls for restrictions on time-of-day watering beginning April 1. The use of a permanently installed automatic irrigation system is prohibited between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from April 1 through October 31. Time-of-day restrictions conserve water by minimizing evaporation and wind drift during the warmest hours of spring and summer days. This allows more water to penetrate deeper into the soil, promoting healthier roots for plants and turf grass.

Protect landscapes and wallets by watering early in the morning (well before sunrise) and deeply by breaking long watering cycles into two or three shorter ones.

Protect Local Waterways from Pool Water

Many pool owners are unaware that draining pool water into the street, alley, or storm drain is a violation of the City ordinance. The chemicals can harm wildlife in local streams and creeks. To properly drain pool water, use the sanitary sewer system, which is already connected to most pool backwash systems. The water can also be pumped into a sewer clean-out in the yard, a bathtub, or a sink. Visit the City's Stormwater page to learn more about protecting local water quality.

Save Money & Water with Free Irrigation Inspections this Summer
Free irrigation inspection program applications are open again this year as part of the City’s Save Water by the Yard program. Eligible residential water utility customers with in-ground irrigation systems can apply for a free inspection through Tuesday, September 30, or until funds run out.

Each inspection includes a consultation with a licensed irrigation expert who evaluates the control box settings, water lines, and sprinkler heads. Participants will also receive advice on system maintenance and water conservation. Residential customers who participated in the 2024 or 2025 programs are ineligible for a free inspection in 2026. For additional information or to schedule an inspection, call 972-466-3120.

Only Rain Down the Drain
Stormwater refers to rainwater or snowmelt that flows over surfaces such as parking lots, streets, or lawns and enters the storm drain system through inlets (gutters) in these areas. Unlike wastewater, stormwater is not treated and is discharged directly into surface waters, including creeks, lakes, ponds, and rivers. Ideally, stormwater should consist entirely of rainwater. Unfortunately, as rainwater flows over different surfaces, it collects and transports contaminants that can threaten drinking water supplies, recreation activities, and wildlife. These contaminants can include motor oil, soap/detergents, paint, trash, pet and human waste, and fertilizer. 

Carrollton relies significantly on residents and businesses to help keep pollution out of surface waters by reporting violations when they occur. Call 972-466-3425 to report polluters.

Local News Matters.