The Woodlands Township has launched a new tennis ball recycling program in partnership with RecycleBalls, a nonprofit powered by Wilson, to divert waste from landfills. Players can now conveniently recycle tennis balls in the green RecycleBalls bins at five different locations in The Woodlands.

With tennis balls taking more than 400 years to decompose in the landfill, tennis players in The Woodlands are encouraged to “play it green” and start recycling their tennis balls with RecycleBalls.

Please note tennis balls can only be recycled through these special collection bins; they are NOT accepted in curbside recycling carts. Tennis ball canisters are recyclable curbside only if the metal ring is separated from the plastic container.  

For more information about the new tennis ball recycling program, please contact the Tennis Program Coordinator at Bear Branch Recreation Center at 281-210-3950. To become of a partner of RecycleBalls, please visit www.recycleballs.org. For more opportunities to recycle in The Woodlands, please view the Recycle More Guide at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/recyclemore.

Celebrate the iconic musical scores that have haunted, thrilled and inspired audiences for decades at A Night on Broadway featuring the Houston Symphony on July 14, 2022. Sponsored by The Wortham Foundation, gates open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. performance on the Main Stage. Mezzanine and lawn seating are FREE. Reserved orchestra seats are available for $25 per ticket.

Market Street is teaming up with Interfaith of The Woodlands to collect donations Friday, July 1 through Friday, July 8 in a “Share your Kindness” School Supply and Food Drive. 

Participants may bring school supply items such as backpacks, colored pencils, spiral notebooks, pocket folders, and crayons along with canned goods, baking items, pasta, cereal, and other pantry staples. 

Donations will be accepted at the concierge booth (adjacent to Cru Wine Bar) in the breezeway on North Market Street. 

Serving the local community since 1973, all Interfaith programs are developed out of community need, and its staff provides outstanding service to neighbors in need. Interfaith operates a food pantry, family services, senior services, a “Hand Me Up” shop and more. 

Fouth of July in The Woodlands is fun for the whole family! Kick off America’s birthday celebration with a host of patriotic favorites under the stars! Join the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion for Star-Spangled Salute as the Houston Symphony takes the Main Stage, Sunday, July 3 at 8 p.m.  Presented by The Howard Hughes Corporation, this free Independence Eve spectacular has been a tradition at The Pavilion for over 30 seasons. Tickets are not required for this event. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.

The symphony will perform a variety of Americana favorites led by conductor Steven Reineke whose boundless enthusiasm and exceptional artistry have made him one of the nation’s most sought-after pops conductors, composers and arrangers.

Featured vocalist includes South Carolina native Darryl Jovan Williams, who began his professional stage career in such shows as Singin in the Rain, A Chorus Line, The Wiz (40^th Anniversary in Central Park), Babes in Arms, Mama I Want to Sing, Big Mama Stringbean – The Life of Ethel Waters (AUDELCO nomination), All Night Strut, Dreamgirls, The Meeting and Once On This Island, just to name a few. Mr. Williams has toured extensively in the Broadway hit Smokey Joe’s Cafe with the legendary Gladys Knight and was a fixture at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.  Darryl has recently been the co-music arranger and vocal arranger for Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.  He was also the vocal arranger for the much-anticipated hit Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel, which won him rave reviews for his portrayal as Judas. 

Pre-concert activities begin at 6:30 p.m. in the North and South Plazas and will feature photo opportunities with patriotic characters, a special art project, The Pavilion Partners Instrument Petting Zoo and sponsor activations. Pre-show entertainment in front of the Main Stage will be provided by The Woodlands Show Chorus and will begin at 7 p.m. The group is an award winning, women's auditioned a cappella chorus, comprised of nearly 80 singers, and chapter of nonprofit Sweet Adelines International.

Families are encouraged to enhance their performing arts experience with Mini Maestros, a free and exciting program that makes the arts both fun and accessible for kids of all ages. By signing up for Mini Maestros, children will receive: a special membership lanyard and badge, free reserved seating at all performing arts events, early entry for Hocus Pocus Pops, a free ticket to Children’s Festival and other great perks throughout the season. Families can register their children at any of The Pavilion’s performing arts events this season at a special booth located in the North Plaza or online at www.woodlandscenter.org/mini-maestros.

Preferred parking is available in the on-site Town Center Garage, located along Six Pines Drive. Parking is $10 per vehicle for this and most performing arts events. Tickets for on-site parking can be purchased in advance at Ticketmaster.com and The Pavilion Box Office. Guests also may park in any of the free parking lots off Timberloch Drive on the southwest side of The Pavilion. As a reminder, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – including The Pavilion Box Office – is a cashless venue.

Registration is now open for the 19th annual YMCA Kids Triathlon to be held on Saturday, July 16, 7:30 am at the Branch Crossing YMCA location. Youth, ages 6-12, are eligible to register and experience the fun and excitement of a triathlon. It will be a morning of friendly competition and physical activity that can lead to a lifetime of wellness. The event is designed for all levels. Previous triathlon experience is not required. Registration closes on July 11. Register early as this event sells out. 

Swim/Bike/Run for a CAUSE. Presented by Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, the Kids Triathlon benefits the YMCA Annual Campaign, which ensures everyone, regardless of age, income or background has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive at the Y. Proceeds from the event will help The Y to create a stronger community, multiply their impact, and bring about meaningful change.

Swim+Bike+Run = FUN! Triathlon is an exciting event for young children because they involves three activities that every child enjoys - swimming, cycling and running. Triathlon is an individual event with segments running consecutively until all three elements are completed.

Distances will vary per age group. Children ages 6 - 9 years will swim 50 meters, cycle for 1 mile and run ¼ mile. Children, ages 10 - 12 will swim 100 meters, cycle for 2 miles and run ½ mile. All participants must provide their own bike. Training wheels are not allowed. Helmets must be worn for the bike course and shoes must be worn for the bike and run courses.

The 2022 event will feature timing straps/tags for faster and more accurate finish line results. The event features 7 age divisions: 61 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 years. Boys and girls will compete separately in their age groups. The top 3 finishers, male and female, in each age group will receive a special award. All participants will receive a goodie bag, t-shirt, finisher medal and refreshments at the conclusion of their race.

Race day check in begins at 5:30 am at Branch Crossing Y, located at 8100 Ashlane Way in The Woodlands. All participants are encouraged to arrive no later than 6:30 am to park, unload equipment, check in, ready your transition area, and review the course. Post race activities will include refreshments, face and balloon art, mascots, music, games, photo booth, awards ceremony and sponsor booths. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Thank you to the event's generous sponsors: Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, SelecTRI, Kelsey-Seybold The Woodlands, Raising Cane's, Alight Solutions, Haynie & Company, Two Men & A Truck, The Woodlands Township, Swim Labs The Woodlands, Hunter Family Orthodontics, Valorem Insurance, The Woodlands Chamber of Commerce and H.E.B.

Kids Triathlon is Race #2 of the new YMCA Summer Race Series for Kids and Teens. Registration is now open for the 1st Annual YMCA Kids Duathlon, scheduled for August 13. For more information and online registration visit ymcahouston.org/ymca-kids-tri. Sponsor and volunteer opportunities still available. For more information contact Roxanne Davis at 281-36 7-9622 ext 230.

Celebrate our nation’s birthday in Market Street.  Join the fun this 4^th of July beginning at 9:00 am as the community gathers at Market Street for the 46th Annual South Montgomery County 4^th of July Parade - a patriotic tradition featuring marching bands, parade floats and local dignitaries.  Additionally, the shopping and entertainment destination will host a live performance from the Mo Jiles Band July 4^th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.