Local Wildlife
Stop by and learn about the work that Animal Services does for the City, meet animal ambassadors, and more.
Department: Animal Services
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All ages
Learn more at Animal Services | City of Carrollton
Elm Fork Nature Center
Carrollton's natural areas are a community treasure, inviting residents and visitors to enjoy activities like fishing, birdwatching, hiking, and picnicking while respecting wildlife and staying on designated trails.
The Elm Fork Nature Preserve, a self-contained ecosystem gifted to the city in 1986, features an Interpretive Center and year-round trails that enhance outdoor education and exploration.
Department: Parks & Recreation
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All ages
Learn more at: Elm Fork Nature Preserve
Junior Rangers and Junior Gardeners Programs
Junior Gardeners: Following the 4-H Youth Development Program, Junior Master Gardener, the City of Carrollton presents the Junior Gardener Program! This is a free year-long program offers children ages 3-16 a chance to learn about edible gardening, from planting to harvesting to preserving, all in raised garden beds through hands-on experiences.
Junior Rangers: Children aged 4-11 can join and become official Carrollton Junior Rangers. Along the way, they’ll learn about plants, recycling, water conservation, and more.
Department: Parks & Recreation
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: 3-16
Register at:
Color Carrollton
Learn about the Color Carrollton program. Show off those art skills by signing up to paint an industrial-sized trash can for display in a Carrollton park.
- Theme: 'Local Lakes and Waterways'
- Registration Dates: September 2 - 27.
- Number of Cans Available: 8 (first come, first served)
Participants must sign and submit the Color Carrollton Agreement prior to pick up. Registration and a refundable $25 deposit are required to participate.
Department: Parks & Recreation
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All ages
Food Waste & Water for Food Production
Do you ever wonder how much water it takes to make your favorite foods? Explore the connection between food, water use, and sustainability while learning simple ways to reduce waste through meal planning and composting.
Department: Environmental Services
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All ages
Energy Efficiency Demo
Find out where your home uses the most energy—from heating and cooling to everyday appliances—and learn simple, practical steps you can take to lower your utility bills and reduce your environmental impact. Explore easy upgrades and habits that make your home more comfortable, efficient, and sustainable.
Department: Environmental Services
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All Ages
Plant Science
Dig into the fascinating world of plants by learning about their different parts and how they grow, then create your own nature-inspired artwork with a leaf press drawing activity.
Department: Environmental Services
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All ages
DarkSky
Learn how reducing light pollution helps protect wildlife and lets us enjoy brighter night skies, then make a galaxy pinwheel inspired by activities from NASA.
Department: Environmental Services
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All ages
Mayor’s Monarch Table & Pollinator Hotel
Mayor’s Monarch Table: Learn about Carrollton’s pledge to help the monarch butterfly as part of the National Wildlife Federation's Mayors' Monarch Pledge.
Pollinator Hotel: Discover the importance of pollinators and how they support our ecosystems, then build your own bee hotel using recycled materials to take home and help local bees thrive.
Department: Environmental Services
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All ages
Learn more at Mayors' Monarch Pledge | National Wildlife Federation
Minerals/Geology
Learn about the rock cycle and explore different types of minerals and fossils. Different types of rocks are formed in different ways, like when hot, melted rock called magma cools down (igneous), when tiny pieces of sediment settle and compact (sedimentary), or when existing rocks change under pressure (metamorphic).
Department: Environmental Services
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All ages
Voting for Recycle Art Contest
Come see and vote on this year’s Recycle Art Contest submissions. Participants transformed recyclable materials into a work of art centered on this year’s theme: Recycled Robots.
Department: Environmental Services
Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ages: All ages
Winners will be announced at 2:30 p.m.
Meteorology/Weather
The weather on Earth is always changing. Meteorology is a field of science that studies the changes in weather on a day-to-day basis in a specific place. Learn about why weather occurs and the importance of weather prediction!
Department: Emergency Management
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All ages
Sensory-Friendly Space
For those who need it, a sensory-friendly space will be available throughout the event inside the Josey Ranch Lake Library.
Department: Library
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All ages
