Inviting all UT Austin alumni, friends, and family to the Deep in the Heart of Dallas Festival, celebrating
100 YEARS
of the Dallas Texas Exes!
Deep in the Heart of Dallas
hosted at Happiest Hour
2616 Olive St, Dallas TX 75201
Sunday, April 12, 2026
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
We’re excited to celebrate our CENTENNIAL year with you by spotlighting notable alumni, Longhorn and DFW businesses, and partying with live music, family friendly activities, door prizes, games, and more!
Featuring Special Guest
Vince Young
Who better to help us celebrate our 100th year of the Dallas Texas Exes?
Meet and Greet and VIP tickets on sale now!
Presented by
Experience and Explore
Live Music
Join us for live performances on the lawn and a DJ inside!
Entertaining on the lawn is Chris Raspante and the Hipster Hombres!
Enjoy live music from picnic tables or wide green spaces for picnic blankets. Kids can run around while our 21+ crowd can sit back and make a toast!
Longhorn & Local Market
Featuring Longhorn owned business and local Dallas businesses, we invite you to shop our vendor market to support our community of alumni and Dallasites alike!
View our featured businesses below.
Arts and Crafts
Dallas Texas Exes merch tables will include arts and crafts for children and adults alike! Get creative with us on the Happiest Hour Patio!
Little Longhorns Corral
We’ll have activities and entertainment for even our littlest of longhorns!
Info Sessions on UT Admissions and Scholarships
Join us first thing in the morning with a pre-event session by the UT Austin Admissions Center in Dallas and Dallas Texas Exes Past President, Carl Tippens.
Students and their families are encouraged to come to learn about and ask about the current landscape of UT Austin admissions and how to apply for Texas Exes scholarships.
Options for VIP Tickets, Tables, and Meet and Greet
Not interested in fighting the crowds for a table or a view? Purchase tables in the Speakers Garage for 2 hour blocks.
Separately, VIP tickets will get access to the Rooftop where they can mingle with past and present board members, speakers, and other VIPs with complimentary appetizers and access to private restrooms and a separate cash bar.
Activities
UT themed lotería
Photo booths and 360 Cameras
Meet and Greet with Vince Young
Live podcast interviews by OnTexasFootball
Arts and crafts
Speaker Panels
Hear from some of our amazing alumni in DFW:
Notable young alumni
DFW alumni influencing industries
While the Happiest Hour main dining room and patio are open to the public, only ticket holders will receive access to the Garage Sessions and Garage VIP meet and greets, Loteria games for prizes on the lawn, and social media booths.
VIP ticket holders will have access to the rooftop with complimentary appetizers.
Deep in the Heart Agenda
Swipe or click right for next >
Thank you to our annual chapter and event sponsors!
Shop the Longhorn and Local Market!
Featured vendors are alumni owned businesses, local Dallas businesses, or businesses with UT Austin and UT Athletics licensing. The Longhorn and Local Market is open to the public from 11 AM to 3 PM at the Happiest Hour side patio.
The BCKR Longhorns Collection
Licensed Collegiate Apparel
High quality officially licensed Texas Longhorns apparel, clothing, and gear.
We created this collection to elevate the standard for Texas fan gear. Better materials, thoughtful features, built to last. Every detail is considered. You can find cheaper Longhorn gear, but we don’t think you’ll find anything better.
Horn Legend
Licensed Collegiate Apparel
Located deep in the heart of Dallas, TX
As an independently owned company firmly rooted in the Lone Star State we are proud to call ourselves a Texas-based company with roots across the Southeast. Our commitment to quality craftsmanship and attention to detail ensures that every piece from Horn Legend is not just an item of clothing but a statement of refined taste and individuality.
We are on a mission to be a leading diversity owned license and luxury brand partner at the intersection of sports and corporate markets.
Long Live the Legend!
Golden Thread
Longhorn Business: Jennifer Welker, ’04
Golden Thread is a Houston-based jewelry boutique founded in 2010 by Houston native Jennifer Welker. What began as a passion for redefining classic monogrammed jewelry has grown into a collection of beautifully crafted, customizable pieces designed to celebrate life’s meaningful moments. Jennifer personally designs each item in our Houston studio with the goal of offering chic, heirloom-quality jewelry that feels effortless—from everyday wear to special occasions. Our jewelry isn’t just stylish; it sparks conversation, tells personal stories, and becomes treasured keepsakes for generations. Rooted in faith and purpose, we strive to inspire confidence and connection through pieces that are as personal as they are timeless.
Spurhaus
Longhorn Business: Natt Butcher, ’15
Taylor and Natt Butcher are aspiring ceramic and photography artists born and raised in North Texas. Taylor received a BA in Media Arts from the UNT, and Natt received a BS in Public Health from UT Austin and an MPH from UTHealth. Later in life, Taylor and Natt both received formal training in ceramics and glaze chemistry at local pottery studios. Taylor focuses on wheel-thrown ceramics and 35mm + medium-format film photography, while Natt specializes in hand-built ceramics and underglaze illustrations. When they aren’t making ceramics or taking photos, they’re probably off traveling somewhere, bringing back inspiration for their art from each trip.
The Boot Builder
Local Business
At The Boot Builder, we believe in transparency and involving our clients in every step of the creation of their bespoke boots. Our unique process allows you to witness the birth of your boots in real-time, offering a glimpse into the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into each pair. Through personalized email updates, you’ll be part of the journey, from the initial cut of the leather to the final attachment of the sole.
The Global Mark
Longhorn Business
We create unique branded items, promotion solutions, and impactful, results-driven collaborations to help you meet your goals. That’s our mark on the world and our promise to you. Locally owned and operated by Texas Alumni and your official supplier of Texas Exes Dallas Chapter promotional supplies
Deep in the Heart of Dallas
Celebrating 100 Years of Service by the Dallas Texas Exes
Sunday, April 12, 2026
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Happiest Hour, 2616 Olive St, Dallas TX 75201
Become a Sponsor or Vendor at the Deep in the Heart of Dallas Festival!
Learn how you could be a main sponsor or have a 10 x 10 booth, a 6’x6′ booth, or a 6′ table. Email vp.sponsorship@dallastexasexes.org for more information.
Download our Sponsor and Vendor prospectus.
