Belton Daily Briefing: 5K, Art & Weekend Events

Memorial 5K fills Belton’s parks this morning

Runners and walkers are gathering near Veterans Way this morning for the AJ Howard Memorial 5K, which steps off at 9 a.m. The route winds through Liberty, Yettie Polk and Harris parks, giving participants a scenic tour of central Belton while they log their miles.

The annual race honors former Belton High School band member AJ Howard and raises money for local band students. Proceeds help cover uniforms, instruments and private lessons for musicians in Belton High, Belton Middle and South Belton Middle, so more students can stay involved in the program regardless of family finances.

Downtown gallery spotlights Belton ISD art teachers

On Thursday evening, Grace Art Gallery on West Central Avenue hosted the opening reception for “The Art of Teaching,” a new exhibit focused on Belton ISD art teachers and their own creative work. The show treats educators not just as classroom leaders but as working artists whose pieces range from painting and drawing to mixed media.

The reception gave families, students and neighbors a chance to see a different side of familiar teachers while enjoying a relaxed downtown event. The exhibit adds another spark to Belton’s historic core, alongside nearby restaurants, coffee shops and the courthouse square.

Low-key meetups round out the weekend

For residents looking for something smaller than a race or gallery event, local Meetup groups are hosting casual gatherings in and around Belton. Today’s lineup includes an evening game night in town, along with ongoing social and hobby groups that meet regularly for movie nights, coffee walks and classes.

Most of these events are open to newcomers and are designed to make it easier for people to plug into the community, whether you are new to Bell County or just ready to get out of the house a bit more.

Weather: Classic early-February sunshine

Today’s forecast calls for sunny skies with highs in the mid-70s and light winds, ideal conditions for the 5K or a stroll along Nolan Creek. Tonight will be mostly clear with temperatures dipping into the upper 40s to around 50. Sunday is expected to stay mild, with highs in the 70s and a mix of sun and clouds.

Sources

• https://findarace.com/us/events/aj-howard-memorial-5k
• https://seebelton.com/event/the-art-of-teaching-opening-reception
• https://www.meetup.com/cities/us/tx/belton/events/education/
• https://www.weatherbug.com/weather-forecast/10-day-weather/belton-tx-76513