Dallas, October 1, 2025
News Summary
The Get Connected Dallas festival is poised to make its return in Oak Cliff, hosting a range of activities for the community. Set for Saturday, attendees can enjoy free workshops, live music, job resources, and interactive tech experiences. With a focus on fostering innovation and connection, the festival showcases local nonprofits and educational organizations aimed at bridging digital access and workforce readiness. Families can look forward to entertainment options, hands-on workshops, and a chance to compete in fun contests.
Dallas — Get Connected Dallas, the Dallas Innovation Alliance’s biggest community event, is returning to Oak Cliff this weekend. The festival will take place on Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 907 E Ledbetter Dr. This is the third year of the Get Connected Dallas festival, where technology meets opportunity. The event is free and open to the public, with activities designed for children and adults that mix technology, jobs, art and community services.
What to expect first
The event is free to attend and will feature robotics, virtual reality, STEM workshops, job interviews, art, and live entertainment. For Oak Cliff, a South Dallas nonprofit, is hosting the event with a focus on education, advocacy, arts, and community programs. The festival schedule includes timed demonstrations, hands-on workshops, entertainment blocks and a central Resource Village where local organizations will share programs and services.
Featured programs and hands-on activities
Notable activities include a robot petting zoo presented by RobotLab and BEST of Texas, beatmaking classes with Let the Beat Build, and STEM activities from Black Girls Code. In addition to those hands-on offerings, there will be virtual reality displays, interactive exhibits from local museums, and mobile tech trucks bringing equipment and demonstrations directly to the site. Attendees can collect activity stamps to enter raffles and participate in a live art competition.
Entertainment, emcees and broadcasts
DJ 13lackbeard, the official DJ of the Dallas Cowboys, will perform during the festival. SpaceBoi Fresh from 97.9 will serve as the event emcee, with live broadcasts from radio stations KBFB 97.9 The Beat, KDXX 107.9 Latino Mix, and KDGE 94.5 The Edge. Live music, DJ sets and spoken-word segments will run throughout the event window to maintain a festival atmosphere.
Jobs, resources and competitions
The festival also includes a job fair with on-the-spot interviews and workshops on resume design and digital job searching. A central Resource Village will feature multiple organizations including Rose Nonprofit, Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry, Black Girls Code, and Uplift Education. There will also be a Digital Access Art Competition with finalists showcasing their work, and attendees can vote live for winners to win prizes including laptops and State Fair ticket packages. Attendees are encouraged to participate in workshops and on-site interviews; organizers say employers will be accepting applications and conducting interviews during the event.
Production, partners and registration
The event is produced by The Event Nerd and presented by MJYC.tech with support from various partners including Santander Consumer USA Foundation and Capital One. Additional partners include local nonprofits and education groups providing program content and staffing. Registration for the event is free and available online.
Extra activities and prizes
Attendees can collect stamps from activities to enter raffles for prizes, including laptops and gift cards. Additional activities include carnival rides, food trucks, and mobile tech trucks from Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and Perot Museum. Organizers are offering family-friendly features alongside focused STEM and career programming to reach a wide audience across Oak Cliff and South Dallas.
Leadership and recognition
The Dallas Innovation Alliance is working with For Oak Cliff and other local partners to present the community-focused festival. Jennifer Sanders was recently awarded the 2025 Technology Advocate Award from Tech Titans. Organizers say this year’s event aims to increase connections between residents, nonprofits, employers and technology providers.
Background
Now in its third year, Get Connected Dallas began as a neighborhood-focused effort to bridge digital access, workforce readiness and arts engagement. The festival combines short-form programming, open workshops and a hub of community resources so attendees can move between learning, hiring and entertainment within a single visit. Weekend timing and a free admission policy are intended to lower barriers to participation.
FAQ
Q: When and where is the festival?
A: The festival will take place on Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 907 E Ledbetter Dr.
Q: How many years has the festival run?
A: This is the third year of the Get Connected Dallas festival, where technology meets opportunity.
Q: Is there a cost to attend and what will be offered?
A: The event is free to attend and will feature robotics, virtual reality, STEM workshops, job interviews, art, and live entertainment.
Q: Who is hosting the event?
A: For Oak Cliff, a South Dallas nonprofit, is hosting the event with a focus on education, advocacy, arts, and community programs.
Q: What special activities are highlighted?
A: Notable activities include a robot petting zoo presented by RobotLab and BEST of Texas, beatmaking classes with Let the Beat Build, and STEM activities from Black Girls Code.
Q: Who will perform and emcee?
A: DJ 13lackbeard, the official DJ of the Dallas Cowboys, will perform during the festival.
Q: Who serves as emcee and which stations will broadcast live?
A: SpaceBoi Fresh from 97.9 will serve as the event emcee, with live broadcasts from radio stations KBFB 97.9 The Beat, KDXX 107.9 Latino Mix, and KDGE 94.5 The Edge.
Q: Will there be job resources on site?
A: The festival also includes a job fair with on-the-spot interviews and workshops on resume design and digital job searching.
Q: Which organizations will be in the Resource Village?
A: A Resource Village will feature multiple organizations including Rose Nonprofit, Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry, Black Girls Code, and Uplift Education.
Q: Is there an art competition?
A: There will be a Digital Access Art Competition with finalists showcasing their work, and attendees can vote live for winners to win prizes including laptops and State Fair ticket packages.
Q: Who is producing and presenting the event?
A: The event is produced by The Event Nerd and presented by MJYC.tech with support from various partners including Santander Consumer USA Foundation and Capital One.
Q: How do I register?
A: Registration for the event is free and available online.
Q: Are there raffle prizes and how are they earned?
A: Attendees can collect stamps from activities to enter raffles for prizes, including laptops and gift cards.
Q: What additional activities will be available?
A: Additional activities include carnival rides, food trucks, and mobile tech trucks from Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and Perot Museum.
Q: Has any staff been recognized recently?
A: Jennifer Sanders was recently awarded the 2025 Technology Advocate Award from Tech Titans.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date and time | The festival will take place on Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 907 E Ledbetter Dr. |
| Cost | The event is free to attend and will feature robotics, virtual reality, STEM workshops, job interviews, art, and live entertainment. |
| Host | For Oak Cliff, a South Dallas nonprofit, is hosting the event with a focus on education, advocacy, arts, and community programs. |
| Highlighted activities | Notable activities include a robot petting zoo presented by RobotLab and BEST of Texas, beatmaking classes with Let the Beat Build, and STEM activities from Black Girls Code. |
| Job and resource services | The festival also includes a job fair with on-the-spot interviews and workshops on resume design and digital job searching. A Resource Village will feature multiple organizations including Rose Nonprofit, Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry, Black Girls Code, and Uplift Education. |
| Registration | Registration for the event is free and available online. |
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Additional Resources
- Dallas Innovation Alliance Tech Festival
- Dallas Developer Building Live Operating System
- Serve Robotics and Uber Eats Partnership
- Star-Telegram Local News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tech Festivals
- Google Search: Digital Inclusion Events
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
