FARMERS BRANCH ~ Continuing their trend of featuring a special event each first Saturday of the month, the Farmers Branch Market is planning "Splish Splash Saturday" on Saturday, August 6 at The Grove @ Mustang Crossing, 12700 Denton Drive.

    Held every Saturday from May through the end of October, from 8 a.m. until 12 noon, Farmers Branch Market has proved to be one of the more popular Farmers Market concepts in the DFW area and the only one directly on a DART Rail Line.

   "Splish Splash Saturday" will include activities and entertainment including water games, a water slide, live entertainment by 'Over a Barrel' seven-piece steel drum band, playing everything from traditional calypso to pop hits. There will also be sno cones from Kona Ice of North Irving/Farmers Branch/Addison and ice cream from Rolling Cone.

   In addition to the other vendors, Nuevo Leon will be on hand serving breakfast tacos and mimosas.

   The first-year Market regularly features an eclectic selection of vendors from fresh produce to honey, eggs, specialty meats and pasta.

   Farmers Branch Market is held at The Grove @ Mustang Crossing, directly adjacent to the Farmers Branch DART Green Line Station and across Denton Drive from the Dr Pepper StarCenter. Parking is available at the StarCenter or the DART parking lot.

   For more information, visit farmersbranchmarket.com.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ While the athletes test their skill in Rio de Janeiro, local athletes have the chance to show their stuff at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center's 2016 Summer Fitness Olympics Challenge.

   Set for the same duration as the Rio Olympics, August 5-20, the challenge will offer participants the chance to challenge and push themselves through a series of workouts, with a new event starting every two days.

   Cost is $5 per fitness member and participants must register in order to be eligible for prizes. Call the Community Recreation Center at 972.247.4607 or visit fbreccenter.com.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Mosquito traps positive for West Nile Virus have precipitated mosquito spraying to be scheduled for Wednesday night in designated geographic areas.

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   Farmers Branch Environmental Health Manager Katy Evans said the areas to be sprayed include specific areas along the southern and northern borders of the City. Spraying began Tuesday night and will continue Wednesday after 9 p.m., weather permitting and will conclude before dawn.
   Mosquito dunks (larvacide briquettes), for the treatment of standing water, are available free of charge (limit one per household) at Farmers Branch City Hall and at the Farmers Branch Senior Center.
   For more information, please call the Mosquito Hotline at 972.919.9868 or visit farmersbranchtx.gov/mosquito.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Normally a good-natured competition for bragging rights between Farmers Branch Police and Fire Departments, the Battle of the Badges blood drive, set this year for August 26 & 27, takes on new meaning in the wake of the July 7 sniper attack on police in downtown Dallas.

   The annual event will take place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. that Friday and Saturday at the Community Recreation Center, 14050 Heartside Place. A photo ID will be required.

   Carter Blood Center has reported the incident put a strain on the local blood supply with more than 400 units sent to assist the officers and civilians who were shot, but survived.

   As such, the Farmers Branch Police and Fire Departments are putting special emphasis on this year's invitation to donate blood to help replenish the local supply. All participants will receive a free, commemorative t-shirt and can still cast a ballot for Police or Fire, in order for one of our local departments to secure those bragging rights.

   For more information, call 817.343.1271.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Firehouse Theatre continues its regional premiere presentation of "Billy Elliot: The Musical" with performances planned for select nights through August 14.