Wildflower watch

Famed Ennis bluebonnets perk up and peek out for their 2022 spring show

They're not quite bountiful seas of color yet.

Facebook/Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival

Wildflower watchers who've been doing rain dances: Keep on grooving. The bluebonnets are coming, but they need some more help. The Ennis Bluebonnet Trails, considered one of the best places in Texas to see the beloved state flower, are opening for the season Friday, April 1 and running through April 30, 2022.

The Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival, annually held at the peak of bluebonnet season, is set for April 8-10.

Event organizers have been posting daily bluebonnet updates on their website and social media pages, and up until late March, things weren't sounding too encouraging. While bluebonnet season typically starts in late March, an unusually dry fall, winter, and spring have delayed the season around the state, spotters report.

Last week's rain showers across Dallas-Fort Worth helped the Ennis fields. It seems more storms are on the way Tuesday night.

"The bluebonnets are starting to peek after the rain we had last week and the sunshine over the weekend," a spokesperson for Ennis Bluebonnet Trails says. "We expect the rain this week to really bring them out."

For the uninitiated, Ennis Bluebonnet Trails wind visitors through 40 miles of picturesque wildflowers, and they're free to drive. Ennis was named the Official Bluebonnet Trail of Texas and the Official Bluebonnet City of Texas by the 1997 State Legislature, and Ennis' trails are the oldest known trails in the state.

Those interested in making the trek about 40 miles southeast of Dallas can check out maps and updates on the website and social media channels.

Bluebonnet seekers can download the Ennis Y’all mobile app to get all the information on smartphones, then plan to stop by the Ennis Welcome Center (open daily in April, except Easter Sunday, April 17), for guidance on getting the most out of their visit.

A favorite DFW tradition is driving the trails and finding picturesque spots for photos along the way, then returning to historic downtown Ennis for the annual festival.

This year marks the 70th annual Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival, presented by the Ennis Garden Club. It will run 10 am April 8 through 6 pm April 10 and will feature food, a beer garden, a wine wander, shopping, children's activities, bluebonnet souvenirs, and live entertainment throughout the weekend; admission is just $5.

According to a news release, the 2022 festival entertainment lineup will include Infinite Journey, a high energy Journey cover band; and the headliner, country star Rick Trevino. Fireworks will cap off Friday and Saturday night festivities.

The Downtown Ennis Bluebonnet Market, located on North Dallas Street, opens every Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm, April through October. It sells fresh produce, baked goods, artisan gifts, jewelry, clothing, and more.

At least at the beginning of bluebonnet season, visitors are encouraged to call, email, or check out the Bluebonnet Trails website for the latest status of the bluebonnets before driving out to the trails.

Now, resume those rain dances. Find a much longer list of the best places this spring for bluebonnets in DFW and around Texas here.

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Global ice cream chain tops this week's most popular stories in Dallas

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Ice cream from Dumont Creamery & Cafe

Editor's note: A global ice cream chain from India that opened two DFW locations was the hottest topic this week in Dallas. Also of note: A buzzy burger restaurant, the death of a beloved Dallas musician-DJ, and an impressive ranking for Flower Mound. Here are the most-read stories of the week. If you're looking for things to do this weekend, we got you: That list is here.

1. Global gourmet ice cream chain debuts in U.S. with 2 Dallas-area shops. An ice cream concept from India has made its U.S. debut, right here in Texas: Dumont Creamery & Cafe was founded in Hyderabad and now has two locations in the Dallas area. Ice cream is the centerpiece with more than two dozen flavors, ranging from Italian-inspired sorbet to a New Zealand-inspired honey ice cream called "hokey pokey."

2. Acclaimed Burger Schmurger pop-up finds permanent space in East Dallas. A buzzy burger pop-up is graduating to brick-and-mortar status: Burger Schmurger, which has earned oodles of acclaim for its smash burger style of burgers, is moving into a permanent home at 718 N Buckner Blvd., the space previously occupied by Bar None which closed in August..

3. Colorful Dallas musician and DJ Mark Ridlen passes away at 65. A bright and colorful light in Dallas' music scene went out: Mark Ridlen, DJ and musician, passed away on November 17, following a bout with cancer; he was 65. As a professional DJ under the moniker "DJ Mr. Rid," Ridlen had been a steady staple on the local creative scene.

4. Fill up on the festive fare in this roundup of Dallas restaurant news. This roundup of restaurant news around Dallas is all about new menus, with lots of festive-themed dishes and menu additions. There's a new brunch at a surprising destination, new cocktails, and lots of hot chocolate, fitting for the season..

5. Well-to-do Dallas suburb lands on top-10 list of holiday big spenders. It looks like Santa Claus is going to be competing with residents in Flower Mound to see who brings the most lavish holiday gifts this year. Festive Flo-Mo ranked No. 7 in WalletHub's annual report on U.S. cities with the biggest holiday budgets in 2024.