Elf School

9 magical things to know about Hilton Anatole's Peppermint Park

You don’t have to travel to the North Pole to experience the magic of Christmas — the Hilton Anatole is bringing it right to Dallas with the return of Peppermint Park.

The immersive winter festival has a seemingly endless list of activities for children and parents alike, with everything from holiday train rides to arts and crafts with the Grinch. Here are nine things to know before visiting:

Dates and times
Peppermint Park is open 5-9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays from November 23-December 15, and then daily December 20-23 from 1-9 pm.

Tickets
It pays to stay at the Anatole during the holidays, because entry to Peppermint Park is included. If you're not a guest, then a la carte tickets can be purchased for $24.95 (adults) and $19.95 (kids ages 3-17), with kids under 3 getting in for free.

Parking
Parking is $20 and can be paid for upon arrival at Lot 4.

Merry activities
Take a magical train ride through the park and enjoy the light displays, predict the weather with Jack Frost, enroll in Elf School and learn what it takes to be one of Santa's helpers, mail your letters to the North Pole, or make holiday slime with the Grinch. There is also a petting zoo featuring the types of animals that would have been present during the nativity, such as donkeys, goats, lambs, and more.

Feel-good giving
To celebrate the spirit of giving this holiday, Hilton Anatole has partnered with Make-A-Wish North Texas to help make life-changing wishes come true for children with critical illnesses. As Peppermint Park opens its doors, it will feature a Make-A-Wish booth accepting personal donations along with Make-A-Wish volunteers throughout the park. To celebrate and honor the wishes of children, a portion of the proceeds from game commissions, unused coupons, and entrance commissions will be donated to the foundation.

Treats to share
Gossip Bar, located just inside the hotel and adjacent to Peppermint Park, will feature holiday-style concessions including hot cocoa, coffee, snacks, and adult beverages.

Breakfast with Santa Package
Save up to $100 and indulge in all the fun at Peppermint Park on Friday night, and the hotel will take care of breakfast on Saturday morning. Guests will enjoy standard luxurious accommodations, admission to Peppermint Park on the night of arrival, holiday movie night, a very special Breakfast with Santa for up to two adults and two children on the morning of departure, and late checkout of 1 pm.

VIP Holiday Experience Package
Save up to $100 and enjoy a private reception with Santa and Mrs. Claus before exploring all the excitement of Peppermint Park. Guests will enjoy standard luxurious accommodations, a private meet-and-greet event with Santa and Mrs. Claus on the night of arrival for up to two adults and two children, one complimentary 5x7 printed photo with Santa, admission to Peppermint Park on night of arrival, holiday movie night, valet parking for one vehicle, a very special Breakfast with Santa for up to two adults and two children on the morning of departure, and late checkout of 3 pm.

Festive fireworks
Hotel guests get to enjoy another perk with a special fireworks finale just for them on December 7. Set to holiday tunes, the display will light up Peppermint Park and telegraph the spirit of the season far and wide.

Peppermint Park returns to the Hilton Anatole beginning November 23.

Photo courtesy of Hilton Anatole

Peppermint Park returns to the Hilton Anatole beginning November 23.

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RIP Mark

Colorful Dallas musician and DJ Mark Ridlen passes away at 65

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Mark Ridlen RIP

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.

From his appearance in Ron Howard’s 1978 directorial debut, Cotton Candy, to his groups Quad Pi, Lithium X-mas, and a plethora of side projects with scores of DFW musicians, to his full-time job as a professional DJ under the moniker "DJ Mr. Rid," Ridlen had been a steady staple on the local creative scene.

He surfed pretty much every musical wave: from Dallas' epochal dance music scene in the early 80s, to punk rock to his role as one of Dallas' top DJs — the guy you called when you wanted your event to be cool and fun.

Ridlen had been quietly battling kidney and lung cancer for the past three years. Over the summer, he had his second kidney removed, which meant he was on dialysis treatment a couple times a week.

He remained upbeat, but according to friends of the family, two more tumors were recently found in his brain. His family and friends decided to forego further treatment and were by his side when he died.

He remained in demand until his passing. In May, he DJed a party at the Kessler Theater, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Starck Club, the legendary '80s dance music club designed by Philippe Starck, which had a huge influence on Dallas, and which Ridlen was part of.

He was invited to DJ at the Starck Club when it opened in 1984 and remained in that role until the club closed in 1989.

Reid mark ridlen Mark Ridlen (right) with close friend Reid RobiinsonFacebook

From there, he migrated to Expo Park, the underground neighborhood across from Fair Park where art and music ruled. His stints at XPO Lounge, Double Wide, and other neighborhood venues made him a staple in the community.

At the same time, he was a member of Lithium Xmas, a psychedelic art-rock band which he formed with acclaimed musicians Chris Merlick and Greg Synodis.

He was also a pop culture savant with a comprehensive knowledge of music, who balanced a low-key charm with a vibrant sense of style, whether it was a vivid pop-art tunic or a flashy sequinned jacket, he did it all with originality and panache.

In late August, a large circle of musicians and friends rallied to participate in a benefit for Ridlen, to help pay for his medical costs — a sweet indication of the high regard in which he was held.

“I do want people to know that I am not being slowed down by cancer,” Ridlen said at the time. “I'm ready to continue working. I have more-or-less a clean bill of health for the moment, and hopefully that doesn't change.”

Survivors include his mother Nancy and his brother David. A memorial service is in the works with details still to be announced.

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