BY Sara Escobar
Evening Star

With the year 2016 in our city’s rearview mirror, we look ahead to a promising, busy new year. It’s significant to reflect on the city of Harker Heights’ performance and progress in the last year, but it’s just as important to know about the upcoming events citizens have to look forward to in 2017.
“I think our parks and recreation had a great 2016,” says Activities Coordinator of the parks and rec department, Heather Buller. “Our best events by far were the Farmers Market and our 13th annual frost fest,” Buller goes on to note one of the many revamped events that will be taking place in 2017. “We’ll be holding a Paws in the Park on Saturday, April 29 at Purser Family Park. This is a free, fun and dog-friendly event for all ages and will include demonstrations, adoptions, dog and owner games, pet advice and loads more,”

In the year 2016, it appears there has been a higher influx of animals at the local adoption center. “We’ve had more animals this year than in previous years,” says general manager Jessica Giese, who has worked at the shelter for over two years. “We have some exciting things planned for the year of 2017 to try and raise our adoption rates.”
Harker Heights doesn’t plan on stopping there. On their official website, nearly two dozen events are listed in the upcoming months. The soonest event will be the 8th annual Valentine’s Family Dance on Valentine’s Day from 6 to 8 p.m. at the activities center, with a spring break day camp and the 22nd annual Easter egg hunt to follow.
The Stewart C. Meyer public library has its own list of events that it hopes will also interest the community. There will be a holistic health fair taking place on Saturday, January 21 from 10 to 2 p.m. The fair will include information on holistic wellness for the mind and body, as well as financial advice. There are also discussion clubs taking place on the third Thursday of every month at 6 p.m., with the next one on January 19 to discuss “The Light of Paris” by Eleanor Brown. There are different book discussions each month. A writer’s support group can also be attended on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. for writing ideas, tips and more.
For more information on the exciting events that will soon be taking place in Harker Heights, visit http://www.ci.harker-heights.tx.us