When it comes to childhood fantasies fully realized, an event like the 2011 Texas Pinball Festival sure seems like an epic dream come true. Because a 10,000-square-foot game room filled with more than 200 vintage and new pinball machines, classic video games and slot machines and other game room oddities all set on free play sure sounds like the stuff that if-only-I-didn't-need-quarters wishes are made of. The event includes adult and children's tournaments conducted throughout the weekend so folks can test their pinball magic against others for trophies, ribbons and cash prizes. Door prizes for pinball related memorabilia, drawn hourly throughout the weekend, include a grand prize drawing Sunday afternoon for a full-size, coin-operated Monopoly pinball machine. Head to Grapevine at Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center, 1800 Highway 26 East, next to Grapevine Mills Mall. The games stay on until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday evenings, with a cash bar for drinks and eats. Weekend passes cost $30 or $20 for children 5 to 12. Single day passes for Friday and Saturday cost $15 for adults and $8 for children, or on Sunday, $7 for adults and $5 for children. For more information, visit texaspinball.com.
Fri., March 25, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat., March 26, 10-2 a.m.; Sun., March 27, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 2011