42 Years of Fun Continues

Music, brews, and family fun shine at Grapevine’s beloved Main Street Fest

Grapevine is gearing up for one of North Texas’ most beloved annual traditions as Main Street Fest returns May 15-17, bringing three days of live music, craft brews, family-friendly entertainment, and high-flying excitement to the heart of Grapevine.

Now in its 42nd year, the festival continues to draw crowds from across the region with a dynamic mix of performances, food, and interactive experiences. Headlining this year’s entertainment lineup is Texas country star Jack Ingram, who will take the Main Stage Saturday night at 9:30 pm. Known for his energetic performances and chart-topping hits, Ingram brings a modern honky-tonk sound that’s sure to be a highlight of the weekend.

Photo courtesy of Grapevine CVB

Gather your friends and join the festival.

The music kicks off Friday evening with LimeLight, an 11-piece party band known for delivering high-energy sets that keep crowds on their feet.

With music happening continuously throughout the weekend, guests can discover a wide range of genres—from country and rock to DJ sets and acoustic duos, all included with general admission. Across three stages, festivalgoers will find a packed schedule of live performances:

Main Stage: Extended Play, Disco Queen, LimeLight; Brian Shuck & the Local Legends, King George, Jack Ingram; plus the Golden Jubilee Community Picnic, DJ Country, and David K’s Rockabilly Road Show.
Liberty Park Plaza Stage: Corey Breedlove, Jake Odin Duo; Jake Ryan Duo, Dusty Moats Duo; Avery Bell.
Town Square Gazebo Stage: Spencer Wood Band, Justin Mason; Zack King Duo, Zak Webb Band; Southern Chrome.

See Jack Ingram live. Photo courtesy of Grapevine CVB

Sunday offers a unique cultural celebration with the Golden Jubilee Community Picnic, honoring Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate’s 50 years of service. Beginning at noon on the Main Stage, the event will feature performances from Grapevine’s Sister Cities, including mariachi and bagpipe ensembles, along with a special didgeridoo performance by Cameron McCarthy.

Beyond the music, the festival’s popular Craft Brew Experience returns with more than 40 brews from across the United States. Held in Liberty Park Plaza beneath a canopy of live oak trees, the experience invites guests to sample a wide variety of craft beers, from bold IPAs to creative specialty flavors.

New this year are live keg tappings throughout the weekend, offering exclusive pours for attendees. Tasting options range from four-sample passes to a VIP lounge experience with additional exclusive selections.

Food lovers will find plenty to explore, with offerings that span global flavors and festival favorites. From Filipino barbecue and Cajun specialties to classic funnel cakes, the diverse menu ensures there’s something for every craving.

Adding to the excitement are breathtaking high-wire performances by Antigravity Art, staged above Main Street throughout the weekend. The daring act pays homage to a historic 1914 tightrope walk that once captivated Grapevine residents, bringing a sense of spectacle and nostalgia to the modern festival.

With affordable ticket options — $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and children — Main Street Fest remains accessible for families and visitors alike. Guests can also take advantage of free admission on Friday before 5 pm, making it easy to join in the celebration.

Whether you’re coming for the live music, the craft brews, or the unforgettable entertainment, Main Street Fest offers a vibrant weekend experience that captures the spirit of community and celebration.

For more information and to purchase your tickets, head here.

main street fest family fun festivals events grapevine promoted

Movie Review

The Magic Faraway Tree is a whimsical family lark that fails to take root

Photo courtesy of Vertical Entertainment

Andrew Garfield, Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Claire Foy, Phoenix Laroche, and Billie Gadson in The Magic Faraway Tree.

With kids and families always on the hunt for entertainment, it’s typically a safe bet for a movie studio to offer up something new, even if it is a film based on an old property. The Magic Faraway Tree, based on a series of books that started in the 1930s, is a very old property, one that its filmmakers have tried to liven up with a few stars, a lot of whimsy, and a boatload of CGI.

The Thompson family, led by stay-at-home dad Tim (Andrew Garfield) and breadwinner mom Polly (Claire Foy), are forced to move to a rundown country home when Polly gets laid off. The kids - Joe (Phoenix Laroche), Fran (Billie Gadson), and Beth (Delilah Bennett-Cardy) - are used to the perks of city life like wifi and electricity, and each of them rebels in their own way to their new lot in life.

Fran, enticed by a fairy named Silky (Nicola Coughlan), is the first to venture out of the house, making her way to a magic tree that transports her to a world full of strange characters like Moonface (Nonso Anozie), Saucepan Man (Dustin Demri-Burns), Dame Washalot (Jessica Gunning), and more. Her adventures there not only broaden the world she thought she knew, but may be the key to helping her ailing family.

Directed by Ben Gregor and written by Simon Farnaby (Paddington 2, Wonka), the film is a pleasant enough lark, but it fails to fully capture the imagination. The five-member family has a lot going on, from an initially-mute Fran to a domestic situation that raises more questions than it answers. The film tries to incorporate an anti-technology message through Tim’s hatred of a smart refrigerator (voiced by Judi Dench!) and the kids' addictions to devices, but it’s quickly shed in favor of other options.

Once Fran makes it to the Magic Faraway Tree, there’s a nice shift in the storytelling, but it’s unclear what the ultimate goal is. It’s a good idea to have Fran, the youngest of the children, convince her older, more cynical siblings about the virtues of the magic world, but the conflict in the real world doesn’t seem to rise to the level needed for the escape the tree provides.

There also seems to be a missing link in the storytelling for viewers to understand the importance of the fantastical characters. The visuals of seeing Moonface and his crescent moon-shaped hair, a man with a suit full of banging pots, and more are fun for a while, but not enough to carry the whole film. A last-minute revelation feels like it was something that should have been disclosed much earlier to help strengthen the emotions of the story.

A two-time Oscar nominee, Garfield is making his first foray into family movies (if you don’t count playing Spider-Man), and while he does a good job, he doesn’t make the best fit for the semi-goofy role. The same goes for the Emmy-winning Foy, who isn’t given much of anything to do. The movie puts the story on the shoulders of the three child actors, and while each of them acquit themselves well, none of them are so outstanding as to be noteworthy.

With nearly 90-year-old source material, The Magic Faraway Tree needed to be something truly special to stand out in the 21st century movie world. Unfortunately, it features a mostly forgettable story that features some fun visuals, a couple of cute kids, and not much else.

---

The Magic Faraway Tree is now playing in theaters.

movies film