Miss Texas’ My Dallas Story

Annette Addo-Yobo’s journey to Dallas — and to the Miss America stage — has been anything but ordinary. Born in Ghana, she moved to the U.S. as a toddler, then spent eight years in Canada before her family settled just north of Dallas. Staying close to home was important to Annette.

It wasn’t until 2019 that the idea of competing in Miss America crossed her mind. Inspired by Nia Imani Franklin’s win, and later by Dallas’s own Averie Bishop becoming Miss Texas, she realized she could do it too. After winning a local title and placing in the Top 12 at Miss Texas, she came back stronger the next year, earning the title of Miss Southlake.

Even though she was first runner up in the Miss America pageant in January, Annette looks back at her experience with a smile.




Rolling with Purpose: Dallas Derby Devils

Baseball. Basketball. Football. Hockey. Soccer. Roller Derby? Whatever your passion, DFW has a winning team to cheer on.

At the Dallas Derby Devils (DDD), roller derby is more than just a sport—it’s a movement. The league is built on a foundation of inclusivity, athleticism, and community, providing opportunities for youth, women, men, and gender-expansive individuals to compete at local, national, and international levels. Whether it’s on the track or in the community, they are dedicated to fostering camaraderie, self-confidence, and a love for the game.

Join the Movement – Experience the Dallas Derby Devils in Action!

Roller derby is fast, fierce, and full of heart, and the Dallas Derby Devils are at the forefront of the action in DFW. Whether you’re looking to lace up your skates, cheer from the stands, or support our vibrant community, there’s a place for you in our roller derby family.

📺 Want to see what they’re all about? Watch the video to get an inside look at the passion, power, and teamwork that drive the Dallas Derby Devils!




March Events

Spring is in the air, and the Dallas Region is alive with excitement! March brings a packed calendar of events, from lively cultural festivals and industry conferences to community gatherings and can’t-miss entertainment. Whether you’re a local looking for new experiences or a visitor exploring all that DFW has to offer, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the season. So mark your calendar and get ready for a month full of energy, innovation, and fun across North Texas!

Featured Event

🌈✨ Vijay Monksha tells us about his beginnings in Dallas, the traditions of Holi, and more about the Dallas Festival of Colors. From the rhythmic beats of music to the exhilarating dance performances, every moment is a testament to the rich tapestry of cultures that call the Dallas Region home. This year’s Festival of Colors will be March 8 at Southfork Ranch. Get tickets here.

 

GAME DAY GUIDE

 

 

20th Annual Dallas Blues Festival Grand Prairie
Texas Ballet Theater presents International Woman Dallas
Broadway Dallas presents Hadestown Dallas
The Dallas Opera presents La bohème Dallas
City of Garland presents Music Made Here Concert Series Garland
Lightwire Theater presents The Ugly Duckling Richardson
Dancing with the Stars Live Grand Prairie
McKinney Shamrock Run 5k McKinney
Deftones in concert Dallas
Tyler, The Creator in concert Dallas
Hwasa in concert Dallas
Wanda Sykes: Please & Thank You Tour Dallas
Disney On Ice presents Let’s Dance! Dallas
Jimmy O. Yang: Big and Tall Tour Dallas




February Events

February in DFW: Kicking Off the New Year with Vibrant Events

The Dallas Region is buzzing with energy as we step into the new year. From cultural celebrations and industry conferences to community gatherings and entertainment showcases, the month offers a dynamic lineup of events that highlight the diversity, innovation, and spirit of North Texas. Whether you’re a local exploring your city or a visitor discovering all that DFW has to offer, there’s no shortage of activities to keep your calendar full. So grab your planner, and let’s dive into what’s happening this month!

Featured Events

This year is not only 2025 but also the Year of the Snake! Lunar New Year was January 29th, meaning that various cultures from East and Southeast Asia will gather with family and friends and celebrate. Here are a few events from around DFW:

  • Asia Times Square Lunar New Year 2025- Grand Prairie: Held every weekend between January 17 and February 2, make sure to bring cash and an empty stomach to check out vendors serving delicious food. There will also be a variety of performances, including K-pop cover dances and lion dances every 2 hours!
  • Grandscape Lunar New Year Festival: Year of the Snake- The Colony: Don’t miss out on the Lunar New Year event at Grandscape on February 1 from 6 – 9 PM! There will be stage performances such as traditional Chinese dance and kpop dances as well as food and drinks for purchase.
  • Southlake Spring Festival 2025- Southlake: On February 1, from 11 AM to 4 PM, Southlake Town Square will have performances from different parts of Asia, such as Mongolian Dance, Sichuan Opera Face Changing, Bollywood Dance, and much more!
  • DFW China Town Lunar New Year 2025- Richardson: Head to Richardson on Saturday, February 8th from 11 AM – 3 PM for many cultural performances from lion dances to jiu-jitsu demonstrations to diabolo!
  • Frisco Lunar New Year Market Festival- Frisco: Head to Simpson Plaza on Saturday, February 8 from 3 – 8 PM, if you are looking to engage with different cultures while also making a difference in the community! In addition to a fashion show, red envelopes, and performances, the Frisco Education Foundation will be benefiting from this event as well.
  • 2025 Asian Lunar New Year Festival- Richardson: If you are looking for a variety of cultural performances, UTD’s Lunar New Year Art Festival is the place to go! Taking place February 8 from 7 – 9 PM, there will be instrumental performances, ballet, Bollywood dances, and more!

GAME DAY GUIDE

Sports fans in the Dallas Region have a lot to cheer about.  

 

Dallas Famers Market Open Mic Night Dallas
Galentine’s Drag Brunch Comedy Show Dallas
DFW Shopz Valentine’s Day Market Dallas
Bodies Race Company presents Couple Shuffle Garland
Lone Star Winery presents Valentine’s Chocolate & Wine Walk McKinney
Harlem Globetrotters 2025 World Tour Dallas

MUST SEE EXHIBITS

 




Finding Success and Community: Laurel Hess’ Return to DFW

Laurel Hess has fond memories of growing up in Dallas. Little did she know life would bring her to Cajun country and then lead her back with a family of her own, and a successful startup.

Hess had left the Lonestar State for college in the early 2000s. She was temporarily driven out of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but managed to finish her degree there. It’s also where she married and began her family.

And after several years in the Crescent City, they moved to Lafayette, which is where inspiration struck and she got the idea for hampr – an app-based laundry service. (See more about hampr in Dallas Innovates.)

Life was good, but Dallas was calling her name. So, they packed up again.

“We moved here in the summer of 2024,” says Hess.

Her sister who lives in Celina actually helped her launch hampr in the Dallas market—their biggest. And she recalls it was their mother, who lives in Frisco, who told Hess about her grandfather, and how entrepreneurship runs in the family.

“It’s funny, I didn’t really think about it, but she had told me that he owned a boat yard. She said he was very entrepreneurial – worked all the time.”

Hess is trying to maintain more of a balance. As she’s expanding the business from just residential service into B to B, she’s also trying to expand her social circle.

“… my husband and I were just talking about this – how do you find friends as an adult?”

As it turns out, she did have one friend here, whose own move into North Texas preceded hers by a matter of months.

“Leigh Ann and I were neighbors in Lafayette. She moved down here before me and told me how much she loved it. And I was like, yea I know, Dallas is great,” says Hess, laughing.

(See Leigh Ann Ripka’s My Dallas Story here.)

With so many foodie options—like Baonecci in Frisco, or concerts at Legacy Hall—and things to do with the kids (they’re currently huge fans of Grandscape—especially Scheel’s and Andretti’s) she’s not overly concerned, but she agrees that it’s harder when you don’t have a cohort that you’re hitting milestones with.

“There is a growing community of entrepreneurs,” Hess concedes.

Needing to travel for business is another reason she values living in Dallas.

“Before we moved here, I would often connect in Dallas, but it would add a whole day of travel just to get here. So, the fact that I can fly three hours in either direction to get where I need to be is huge.”

The culture, the lifestyle … as others have expressed, Dallas isn’t one thing, it’s everything. It’s also everyone … from corporate executives to artists and founders, Dallas continues to be the place people want to be.