Worth the Drive | September 11–13, 2026

Another weekend is almost here, so I went looking for a few things actually worth leaving the house for.

This week's list has a little bit of everything: a special dinner on Richland Chambers Lake, live music at Cedar Creek, Texas barbecue in Dallas, wine and music in Mabank — plus a full Saturday itinerary right here in Corsicana.

Here are my picks for this weekend around North Texas.

🔥 FOR THE FOODIE: Noah Galuten at The Harbor

Richland Chambers Lake | Friday, September 11 | 6 PM

This one caught my attention.

Cookbook author and food writer Noah Galuten, author of Grill Time!, is coming to The Harbor Restaurant on Richland Chambers Lake for a special dinner and meet & greet.

The evening includes a menu featuring mesquite-smoked picanha, BBQ chicken, mezcal charro beans and miso butter corn, plus a Q&A with Noah and a signed cookbook. Special guest Kevin Bludso will also be there.

Tickets are $50 per person and include dinner, the Q&A and signed cookbook.

Why it made my list: A special dinner, cookbook signing and an evening at the lake? This is exactly the kind of local event that's easy to miss.

🥂 MAKE A DAY OF IT: Saturday in Corsicana

Downtown Corsicana | Saturday, September 12

This week, I'm not giving you just an event. I'm giving you the whole Saturday plan. 😉

Start with Mimosas at the Market

10 AM–3 PM | Downtown Corsicana

Spend the late morning downtown for Mimosas at the Market. Browse, shop and enjoy a mimosa while you're at it.

Then stick around downtown, do a little shopping, grab dinner and don't rush home, because...

🎶 End the Night with Fleetwood Journey

Palace Theatre | 7:30 PM

Head to the historic Palace Theatre for Fleetwood Journey, a Fleetwood Mac tribute show.

Why it made my list: Brunch-ish drinks, shopping, dinner and Fleetwood Mac music — somebody basically planned your entire Saturday for you.

🌊 LIVE MUSIC AT THE LAKE: Dirk's Dockside

Cedar Creek Lake | Friday–Sunday

If you're headed toward Cedar Creek this weekend, Dirk's Dockside in Seven Points has live music on the Sandbar Stage all weekend.

Friday: The 104 Proof Band | 7–10 PM
Saturday: Mark Barker | 1–4 PM
Saturday: PL Garner & The Reburns Band | 7–10 PM
Sunday: Duffy Douglas Music | 1–4 PM

Grab something to eat, find a spot by the lake and choose whichever show works with your plans.

Why it made my list: Four chances to catch live music at the lake. Surely one of them can fit into your weekend. 😂

🍷 A LAID-BACK SATURDAY NIGHT: TD Wilt

Ridge Creek Ranch Wine Bar | Mabank
Saturday, September 12 | 7–10 PM

If your idea of Saturday night is more wine-and-acoustic-music than big crowds, this one is for you.

TD Wilt will be playing live at Ridge Creek Ranch Wine Bar from 7–10 PM.

Why it made my list: Wine, live music and a relaxed Saturday night near Cedar Creek Lake. Sometimes that's all the itinerary you need.

🔥 COME HUNGRY: 15th Annual FOE BBQ Cookoff

Dallas | Saturday, September 12

Now we're speaking Texas.

The 15th Annual FOE BBQ Cookoff is happening Saturday afternoon in Dallas, with teams firing up the smokers and competing for bragging rights.

And I happen to know a couple of the competitors — Chris Spearman and Ryan Davis with Rolling Smoke BBQ — so I'll be rooting for them!

Why it made my list: It's a Texas barbecue cookoff. I feel like that explanation pretty much handles itself. 😂

❤️ If I Had to Pick...

For the foodie: 🔥 Noah Galuten at The Harbor
Make a whole day of it: 🥂 Mimosas at the Market + Fleetwood Journey in Corsicana
Lake weekend: 🌊 Live music at Dirk's Dockside
Girls' night: 🍷 TD Wilt at Ridge Creek Ranch Wine Bar
Most Texas thing on the list: 🔥 FOE BBQ Cookoff

My pick this week?

Corsicana Saturday. Start with Mimosas at the Market, wander downtown, grab dinner and finish the night with Fleetwood Journey at the Palace.

That sounds like a pretty good Saturday to me.

Whatever you choose, have a great weekend — and if you know about something happening next week that I should include, send it my way! I'm always looking for something worth the drive.

— Cheryl