Fourth of July Celebrations and Fireworks in Texas

No matter where you live in Texas, this Fourth of July will feature family-friendly events and awesome fireworks. In big cities and small towns, folks will turn out to celebrate Independence Day Texas-style, and here are a few of the highlights:

H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4^th Concert and Fireworks - Austin, TX (July 4)
Over 100,000 people are expected to gather at Auditorium Shores for Austin's biggest Fourth of July celebration. The Austin Symphony, under the direction of Peter Bay, will perform patriotic music and the 1812 Overture (complete with 75-mm Howitzers provided by the Texas National Guard). There will then be a huge fireworks display over Lady Bird Lake. The symphony will perform at 8:30 p.m. and the fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Star Spangled Fourth - Garland, TX (July 4)
The theme of this year's Star Spangled Fourth festival is "We the People. Multiple events and activities will be held on July 4^th starting at 10 a.m. and running until midnight at the Firewheel Town Center in north Garland. There will be food vendors, crafts, and a classic car show. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m., followed immediately by a free concert by Kool & the Gang on the Main Stage. Other performers throughout the day will include Time Machine, the Dallas Praise Orchestra, and Tejas Brothers.

San Marcos Summerfest - San Marcos, TX (July 4)
The 28th Annual San Marcos Summerfest at San Marcos Plaza Park will feature A Children's Parade and Costume Contest, the Lion's Club Illuminated River Float Parade, music and fireworks. Summerfest begins at 4 p.m., with the Children's Parade starting at 5 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.

Kaboom Town - Addison, TX (July 3)
Kaboom Town in Addison traditionally kicks off the 4^th of July festivities by having their giant block party the night of July 3^rd. See a dazzling fireworks display choreographed to music and a live radio simulcast. The nationally recognized fireworks show is visible all over Addison, from the Addison Circle Park watching party, most of Addison's 170 restaurants, and 22 hotels. There will be food, live music and spectacular historic warplane fly-bys. Rated one of the top places to watch fireworks in the country by the American Pyrotechnics Association, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. The festival is from 5:00 p.m. to midnight at Addison Circle Park.

Round Rock Fourth of July Fireworks and Frontier Days Celebration - Round Rock, TX (July 4)
The Frontier Days Celebration starts at 10 a.m. with a parade through downtown Round Rock. Following the parade the Western Traditions celebration will be held at Old Settler's Park. Events include a reenactment of the Sam Bass shootout, free watermelon, arts and crafts, fireworks, and more. The Austin Symphonic Band will perform at 8 p.m., with fireworks starting at dusk.

Fair Park Fourth - Dallas, TX (July 4)
This is the City of Dallas' official fireworks display, and the event is sponsored by the Dr Pepper Snapple Group. Starting at 5 p.m. there will be carnival games, food vendors, and free admission to all Fair Park Museums. There will also be a free patriotic concert by the Dallas Wind Symphony followed by fireworks at around 9:15 p.m.

Chevy's Freedom Over Texas - Houston, TX (July 4)
Houston's largest July 4^th event, Chevy's Freedom Over Texas will celebrate Independence Day with live concerts from Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert, Jo Dee Messina and The Shirelles. Events include a mini-auto show, NASCAR vehicles, rides, games, face painting, jugglers and more. Chevy's Liberty Parkwill feature unique displays of military artifacts and vehicles. The events will be followed by the Fireworks Spectacular (sponsored by Shell), which is billed as the nation's largest land-based fireworks extravaganza. Gates open at 4 p.m. at Eleanor Tinsley Park just outside downtown. Fireworks begin at 9:35 p.m. Tickets are $5 before 5 p.m. and $8 after 5 p.m. Children under 10 admitted free.

7th Annual Frisco Freedom Fest - Frisco, TX (July 4)
This year, Frisco Freedom Fest will include Taste Frisco, featuring various Frisco restaurants, at Simpson Plaza at City Hall from 4 p.m. until the end of the fireworks. The annual Party in the Plaza festivities also run from 4 p.m. until the end of the fireworks, and features a Community Stage with local dancers, singers and bands and a Children's Expo. You can also see FC Dallas vs. Kansas City Wizards soccer match at Pizza Hut Park at 6 p.m. Fireworks start between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m. and will be followed by a concert at Pizza Hut Park by The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards.

Sources:

www.austinsymphony.org/season/july/
www.starspangledfourth.com
www.summerfestsanmarcos.com
www.addisontexas.net
www.roundrocktexas.gov
www.fairpark.org
www.chevysfreedomovertexas.com
www.friscofreedomfest.org