Friends and staff outline fall schedule, fundraising and branding for Farmers Branch Historical Park

At its meeting, the Farmers Branch Historical Park Preservation Board and representatives of the Friends of the Historical Park reviewed the park's fall programming and fundraising plans. Board members and Friends emphasized volunteer recruitment for upcoming events and described plans to expand museum-store merchandise and membership benefits to support grants and operations.

The events calendar and key items discussed included: a 'Kids in the Kitchen' program on Oct. 1; the park's Trick-or-Treat event on Oct. 17 from 4 to 6 p.m.; Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival on Oct. 20–21 (Friends will manage chair rentals as a fundraiser); Branch Arts Live on Oct. 22 (16 groups registered as of last week); Day of the Dead on Nov. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m.; a cooking class on Nov. 9; and Christmas exhibits and a tree-lighting celebration planned for Saturday, Dec. 2, from 5 to 9 p.m. Staff and Friends said volunteers will be needed for shift work, welcome tables, craft stations and sales at pop‑up museum-store booths.

Board members discussed merchandise ideas — ornaments, t‑shirts and branded items featuring the park's caboose logo — and suggested using those items as membership incentives and sales at events. The Friends reported they will explore pop‑up sales (for example, popcorn or other concessions) and coordinate final product decisions with park staff. Lauren Pringler, the museum educator, will serve as a staff liaison to support outreach, help update collateral and coordinate social media postings to sustain momentum from recent Friends meetings.

Board members also discussed historical-context materials tied to the event center's branding; the name 'Venue 1842' has appeared in city communications and the board asked staff to post a historical explanation on the park's website. Members mentioned the Kenan (Keenan) family history and discussed whether cemetery history should be incorporated into outreach materials.

The board agreed to continue discussion and asked staff to bring updates to the next meeting on merchandise, volunteer sign-ups and the Friends' membership plan.