“Arts in Bloom is a free, family-friendly festival that invites everyone to experience the creativity and charm of Downtown McKinney. It’s a chance to enjoy art, music, and local businesses while making meaningful memories with family and friends. We love seeing the community come together to celebrate what makes our downtown so special,” said Andrew Jones, Cultural District Director. photos by Allen Rich

Get your cameras ready, Bonham! On Wednesday, March 18, a stunning fleet of classic cars will be rolling into our streets. This isn't just pass-through; they will be spending the afternoon in our historic district, and you’re invited to come out and see them!

If you need a pit stop on your way through the middle of the state to stretch your legs, try Mother Neff State Park right off I-35 outside of Temple and Waco. With six different easy to moderate trails under a mile long, it’s the perfect way to get your blood flowing after a long car ride. Explore nearly 3.5 miles of trails for beginners to more experienced trekkers. Trails take you to the Wash Pond, to the CCC Rock Tower, and to a cave used by the Tonkawa Indian tribe in the 1800s.

Kaleidoscope Park in Frisco will host an Easter Sunrise Service on Saturday, April 5, from 6:30 a.m.-7:45a.m. in collaboration with Life-Changing Faith Christian Fellowship and New Life Community Church. The community is invited to gather for a meaningful Easter morning tradition that brings people together in reflection, hope, and renewal. Held at sunrise, in the heart of the Park on the Performance Lawn, the service offers an inspirational message, worship music, and communion by Pastor Dono Pelham and Pastor James M. Hutchinson.

597 BC – The first siege of Jerusalem by the Neo-Babylonian Empire ends with the city surrendering to king Nebuchadnezzar II. The siege of Jerusalem (597 BC) was a military campaign carried out by Nebuchadnezzar II, king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, in which he besieged Jerusalem, then capital of the Kingdom of Judah. The city surrendered, and its king Jeconiah was deported to Babylon and replaced by his Babylonian-appointed uncle, Zedekiah. The siege is recorded in both the Hebrew Bible (2 Kings 24:10–16) and the Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar Chronicle.In 601 BC, Nebuchadnezzar II unsuccessfully attempted to take Egypt and was repulsed with heavy losses. Jehoiakim—the king of Judah—seized this opportunity to revolt against Babylonian rule, taking a pro-Egyptian position, despite the strong remonstrances of the prophet Jeremiah. The circumstances of Jehoiakim’s death are not clear. He was succeeded by his young son, Jeconiah. The Babylonians besieged Jerusalem, and in March 597 BC the city surrendered. Jeconiah, his court and other prominent citizens and craftsmen, were deported to Babylon. This event is considered to be the start of the Babylonian captivity and of the Jewish diaspora. Jeconiah's uncle, Zedekiah, was installed as vassal king of Judah. A decade later, Zedekiah launched another rebellion against the Babylonians, which was brutally crushed by Nebuchadnezzar II. In 587 BC, a second siege of Jerusalem culminated in the destruction of the city and Solomon's Temple, bringing an end to the Kingdom of Judah.