Fourth of July in Rockwall, Texas

Summer time is a nostalgic time. The fourth of July is an American pastime like no other. The sounds, sights and smells of summer bring back a flood of memories from when I was a young girl. The memory that always seems to stand out in my mind when it come to summer is the exciting explosions of bright colors that lit up the sky above my head. The loud booms of the firework display would rumble through me just like a clap of thunder that often came with summer rain storms that would drench my neighborhood. The sound of kettle corn popping could not be drowned out by the murmur of the crowd of people who also waited eagerly to watch the spectacular display, and just watching it pour over the side of the kettle, glistening with butter and sugar made my mouth water with anticipation. Who can forget the smell of food being grilled through out the neighborhood. Hot dogs and burgers were a great snack but, where I came from the Fourth of July meant grilling fajitas, guacamole, pico de gallo and of course tortillas and salsa. Although it has been quite a few years since I have been to my old neighborhood old friends tell me that it is still the same and the only sights and sounds that may have changed are the children who once were, are now parents themselves, and the voices of children running and playing are now their own.

Now that I am a parent of two children, I wait with a different anticipation for the sights and sounds of Independence day in America. The town I live in now is about an hours drive from the town I grew up in its also very different. I live in a town twenty minutes out side of Dallas, TX. Called Rockwall. It is the smallest county in all of Texas but, It is the fastest growing county in Texas, and fifth fastest growing county in all of America. Rockwall is an amazingly beautiful town. Rockwall is the ideal place to live. The crime and violence in this area is almost non-existent. The area is made up of predominately wealthy and well off residents. The now suburban area that is situated along a large lake, was and continues to be an area that mingles with many Texas ranches and Texas size mansions. This town has invested a great deal of money in the areas that its has designated for parks and recreation. The parks are a far cry from the playgrounds that I used to stomp around on in my youth.

The one park here in Rockwall that stands out on the Fourth of July is Harry Myers park. It is a large 66 acre park that includes many amenities like an amphitheater, base ball and soft ball fields, 2 large gazebos, over sized BBQ grills, picnic pavilions, 2 ponds, paved and un-paved hiking trails, a spray water park for children, an Olympic sized pool, and a small lake to name a few.

On July fourth of ever year weather permitting the City of Rocwall hold their annual fire work display at dusk over the lake in Harry Myers park. If you are lucky enough to get a great seat along the lake you can see the awesome reflection of the grand fire work display that last almost 20 minutes. The fire works are synchronized to patriotic music that is played on a local radio station and will soon be played live from the amphitheater.

Now the smell of hot dogs and hamburgers fill the air and the smell of Fajitas that infuses the air is from the grill that my husband and I take along with us to the park. Its my turn now to host a fourth of July party at the park full of my Mexican heritage that has wonderfully and gratefully fused with the American tradition. It is my turn to watch as my daughters eyes light up with the colors of independence. Its my turn to teach the words to the patriotic tunes that fill the air. We are second and third generation Americans and Americans that look forward to The great fourth of July events that fill our community. If you are ever in Texas look up Rockwall, and stay a while you will surely fall in love with this town the way I have.