This weekend is jam-packed with activities in the Sugar Land, Missouri City and Richmond areas. See what's on the docket for Black History Month, bookworms, art-lovers, romantics, foodies and those needing to clean house.
Saturday
3rd Annual Black History Month Celebration
Missouri City hosts its third annual Black History Month Celebration to pay tribute to African-American culture and leaders in Fort Bend County. The event will feature music, food, art, games and a photo booth.
Performers will include Angel Taylor, formerly of Trin-I-Tee 5:7; Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws; and the Fort Bend Academy of Arts & Dance. 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Free. Missouri City Community Center, 1522 Texas Parkway. 281-403-8532. www.missouricitytx.gov
Friends of the Library book sale
Books, CDs, DVDs and magazines are available for purchase, with most items priced between 25 cents and $3. Proceeds support reading and other educational library programs.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free (admission). University Branch Library, 14010 University Blvd., Sugar Land. 281-633-5100. www.fortbend.lib.tx.us
Houstonia’s fourth annual Gumbo Smackdown
Houstonia Magazine hosts the event where the city’s chefs compete for the title of best gumbo. Proceeds benefit Lunches of Love, and tickets include unlimited food and drink.
Noon-4 p.m. $40 (advance), $45 (at the door). Sugar Land Town Square, 2711 Plaza Drive, Sugar Land. 713-862-4570. http://houstoniamag.com/gumbo
Small Art for Big Hearts
A large selection of one of a kind art, both small and big, is available for purchase, including jewelry, ceramics, glass, paintings, sculpture, prints and cards. Children may also create their own valentines.
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free (admission). Sugar Land Art Center & Gallery, 104 Industrial Blvd., Sugar Land. 281-565-0957. www.sugarlandartcenter.org
Shredding Hunger
Keller Williams Southwest agents conduct a food drive for the East Fort Bend Human Needs Pantry. In return for food donations, participants are offered secure shredding on-site of up to two trash bags of documents from ProShred.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free (donations are accepted). Keller Williams Realty, 1650 Hwy. 6, Sugar Land. 281-265-0000.
Chocolate: A Valentine’s Essential
Visitors discover the various forms chocolate has taken over the years by sampling different chocolates and taking home the recipes to recreate at home. They can also craft a Victorian Valentine’s Day card. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (children age 4 and younger), $5 (ages 5-15), $9 (seniors age 62 and older), $10 (adults). George Ranch Historical Park, 10215 FM 762, Richmond. 281-343-0218. www.georgeranch.org
Sunday
Chinese Lantern Festival
In recognition of the Chinese Lunar New Year, Fort Bend County Libraries present the festival that includes dancing lions from the Soaring Phoenix Dragon & Lion Dance Association, crafts, a riddle contest and authentic red lanterns.
2-4 p.m. Free. George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview Drive, Richmond. 281-342-4455. www.fortbend.lib. tx.us/branches/gm.html
Performers will include Angel Taylor, formerly of Trin-I-Tee 5:7; Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws; and the Fort Bend Academy of Arts & Dance. 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Free. Missouri City Community Center, 1522 Texas Parkway. 281-403-8532. www.missouricitytx.gov
Friends of the Library book sale
Books, CDs, DVDs and magazines are available for purchase, with most items priced between 25 cents and $3. Proceeds support reading and other educational library programs.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free (admission). University Branch Library, 14010 University Blvd., Sugar Land. 281-633-5100. www.fortbend.lib.tx.us
Houstonia’s fourth annual Gumbo Smackdown
Houstonia Magazine hosts the event where the city’s chefs compete for the title of best gumbo. Proceeds benefit Lunches of Love, and tickets include unlimited food and drink.
Noon-4 p.m. $40 (advance), $45 (at the door). Sugar Land Town Square, 2711 Plaza Drive, Sugar Land. 713-862-4570. http://houstoniamag.com/gumbo
Small Art for Big Hearts
A large selection of one of a kind art, both small and big, is available for purchase, including jewelry, ceramics, glass, paintings, sculpture, prints and cards. Children may also create their own valentines.
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free (admission). Sugar Land Art Center & Gallery, 104 Industrial Blvd., Sugar Land. 281-565-0957. www.sugarlandartcenter.org
Shredding Hunger
Keller Williams Southwest agents conduct a food drive for the East Fort Bend Human Needs Pantry. In return for food donations, participants are offered secure shredding on-site of up to two trash bags of documents from ProShred.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free (donations are accepted). Keller Williams Realty, 1650 Hwy. 6, Sugar Land. 281-265-0000.
Chocolate: A Valentine’s Essential
Visitors discover the various forms chocolate has taken over the years by sampling different chocolates and taking home the recipes to recreate at home. They can also craft a Victorian Valentine’s Day card. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (children age 4 and younger), $5 (ages 5-15), $9 (seniors age 62 and older), $10 (adults). George Ranch Historical Park, 10215 FM 762, Richmond. 281-343-0218. www.georgeranch.org
