ADDISON
KABOOM TOWNLive music and a flyover by planes from the Cavanaugh Flight Museum will get the party going before the popular fireworks show. Watch the fireworks from Addison Circle Park, a restaurant patio or even your car. Afterward, enjoy a showing of
Rudy at the park as part of Cinema in the Circle. Concessions will be available.
• July 3 at 5 p.m., with fireworks at 9:30. Addison Circle Park, 4970
Addison Circle Drive, Addison. 1-800-233-4766.
www.addisontexas.net.
• Free admission.
DALLAS
FAIR PARK FOURTH
Start the evening with free admission to Fair Park museums from 5 to 8 p.m. A program of patriotic music featuring the Dallas Wind Symphony and the U.S. Army Brass Quintet will be followed by a fireworks display, presented by Fireworks by Grucci. Tune in to WRR-FM (101.1) for music choreographed to the show. Concessions will be available; bring lawn chairs, picnics and blankets. No alcoholic beverages, glass bottles or fireworks.
• July 4 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Fair Park. Museum admission free from 5 to 8, patriotic program at 8:15, fireworks at 9:30. Viewing areas include the Esplanade, Lagoon and Cotton Bowl Plaza. www.fairpark.org.
• Free admission. Parking on-site $8.
NORTHPARK CENTER
Check out balloon artists, a stilt-walking Uncle Sam, performances by children's entertainer Eddie Coker and more.
• July 4 from noon to 6 p.m. at NorthPark Center (on Level One between Nordstrom and Macy's), 8687 N. Central Expressway at Northwest Highway. 214-363-7441. www.northparkcenter.com.
• Free admission.
TRINITY RIVER FIESTA
Set in the West End, the second annual Trinity River Fiesta will feature live music, an arts and crafts pavilion, a classic car show, a children's pavilion, a health fair and more. On July 4, a fireworks display will light up the skyline.
• July 4 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (fireworks at 9:30), July 5 from noon to 11 p.m. in the West End, near Continental Avenue at North Houston Street. 214-295-7379. www.trinityriverfiesta.com.
• Free admission.
DESOTO AND LANCASTER
BOOMTASTIC
The cities of DeSoto and Lancaster join forces for a celebration featuring a petting zoo, live music, magicians, clowns and free hot-air balloon and helicopter rides at the Lancaster Community Park behind Lancaster Recreation Center. Fireworks will cap off the evening in the park. Concessions will be available.
• July 4 from 6 p.m. until dark at Lancaster Community Park, 1700 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Lancaster. Balloon rides from 6:30 to 8:30, helicopter rides from 7 to 9. 972-218-3700. www.ci.desoto.tx.us.
• Free admission.
ENNIS
TEXAS MOTORPLEX
The motorplex hosts a day of racing, as well as a concert by Grand Funk Railroad. 1320X, a Pullin Television production, will be filming for broadcast on its Web portal. 1320X combines drag racing and music. The evening will end with a fireworks display.
• July 4, gates open at 9 a.m., time trials start at 11 a.m., concert begins at 9 p.m. at Texas Motorplex, 7500 W. U.S. Highway 287, Ennis. 1-800-668-6775. www.texasmotorplex.com.
• General admission $20 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 12, free for children 5 and under.
FARMERS BRANCH
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
The city of Farmers Branch is celebrating on Thursday with a gathering at Farmers Branch Historical Park. Attractions for kids include airbrush tattoos, a bounce house and Euro Bungee. Eclectic party band Emerald City will perform, followed by a fireworks display. Bring blankets and chairs; concessions will be available.
• July 3, gates open at 6:30 p.m., concert begins at 8, fireworks at 9 at Farmers Branch Historical Park, 2540 Farmers Branch Lane. 972-919-2620 or 972-406-0184. www.farmersbranch.info.
• Free admission.
FORT WORTH
CONCERTS IN THE GARDEN
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's Concerts in the Garden series includes three nights of patriotic music in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, beginning on Wednesday. Miguel Harth-Bedoya will conduct each night; concerts will conclude with a fireworks display. Organizers recommend ordering tickets in advance, since this is one of the most popular concerts in the series. All events are Wednesday. Call 972-292-5086 or visit www.friscofreedomfest.org.
• July 2-4 at 8 p.m. at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard, Fort Worth. 817-665-6000. www.fwsymphony.org.
• $15 to $45 for adults; free lawn seating for children 10 and younger, $10-$45 for children's table seating. Parking $5 at Farrington Field, 1501 N. University Drive (there's a free shuttle). Parking at the garden $10 and $20 (passes must be purchased in advance).
FRISCO
FREEDOM FEST
The city of Frisco presents Party in the Plaza in front of Frisco City Hall. It features a community stage with dancers, singers and bands. A children's area includes bounce houses, face painting, games and strolling entertainers. At the Taste of Frisco, also in the plaza, try food from local restaurants. At Pizza Hut Park, FC Dallas will take on the Kansas City Wizards, followed by a concert with pop-rocker Freddy, a fireworks display and a concert by the Temptations Review.
• July 4 at City Hall Plaza and Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, which are both near the intersection of Main Street and Dallas Parkway. Party in the Plaza begins at 4 p.m., soccer game at 6, Freddy concert at 8:30, fireworks at 9:30, the Temptations Review concert at 10. 972-292-5078. www.friscofreedomfest.org.
• Free admission for Party in the Plaza; food prices at Taste of Frisco vary; $5 includes both concerts and the fireworks show; $10 for the FC Dallas game, concerts and fireworks.
GRAND PRAIRIE
LONE STARS AND STRIPES
Lone Star Park offers something for everyone during celebrations Thursday and July 4. Entertainment includes horse racing, pony rides, bounce houses, live music and more. A 20-minute fireworks show will begin after the last race on both days.
• July 3-4, gates open at 3 p.m., first race at 5 p.m. at Lone Star Park, 1000 Lone Star Parkway, Grand Prairie. 972-263-7223 or 1-800-795-7223. http://www.lonestarpark.com/.
• General admission $3.
LAKE DALLAS
LAKE CITIES 4th OF JULY CELEBRATION
he small town of Lake Dallas will kick off its celebration with the Bill Utter Ford parade through town. Registration forms are available online with info on joining. Later, kids can enjoy bounce houses, face painting and a petting zoo. Parents might dig the arts and crafts booths and other shopping, as well as the apple pie bake-off. The second annual Lake Cities Idol Competition will be followed by the band Eleven Hundred Springs for the second year in a row. No July 4 is complete without fireworks, and Lake Dallas promises to have a show bigger than in previous years.
• July 4 at Lake Dallas City Park, 101 W. Hundley, Lake Dallas. Parade begins at 9 a.m. Lake Cities Idol Competition 3 to 5 p.m., fireworks after sunset. 940-497-2226, ext. 132. www.lakedallas.com/special_events.html.
• Free admission.
LEWISVILLE
"STARS AND STRIPES" PARADE
Vista Ridge Mall offers an indoor alternative to the heat on Independence Day: In the "Stars and Stripes" parade, kids ride in their decorated strollers or wagons or on tricycles or bicycles with training wheels. After the parade, stay and enjoy an hourlong Kids' Club event with games, crafts and more in the mall's center court.
• July 4 at Vista Ridge Mall, 2401 S. Stemmons Freeway, Lewisville. Gather at 9:30 a.m. at the mall's center court; parade begins at 10 a.m. 972-315-3641. www.vistaridgemall.com.
• Free admission.
For those of you planning for some time on the lake itself during the holiday, Lewisville Lake is closed until further notice because of water elevation.
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS
Quad Cities Family 4th
The cities of North Richland Hills, Haltom City, Richland Hills and the Quad Cities DFW Foundation host a free fireworks show on Friday. (In case of heavy rain, it will be rescheduled for July 5.) The show will start at 9:30 p.m. and will last 20 minutes. Patriotic music will be simulcast live during the show on KDKR-FM Radio (91.3) FM. Bring chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, food, non-alcoholic drinks and games to play while waiting for fireworks. For information, call 817-281-9376. The fireworks can be watched from two locations, and parking is free:
• Parking lots of Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum, 6108 Broadway Ave. in Haltom City
• ATI Career Training Center, 6351 Boulevard 26 in North Richland Hills
• Free admission.
MCKINNEY
RED, WHITE & BOOM
The city of McKinney and Craig Ranch present the inaugural celebration with events at the Craig Ranch development and in historic downtown McKinney. It's two days filled with sidewalk shopping, a car show, a parade, a veterans salute, the 13th annual Killis Melton Ice Cream Crank-off and more. Country artist Josh Gracin will perform a July 4 concert, followed by fireworks, at McKinney Soccer Complex at Craig Ranch. Visit the McKinney Web site for a full schedule of events.
July 4 and 5 at various locations in Craig Ranch and downtown McKinney. 972-547-2660. www.mckinneytexas.org.
• Free admission.
North Richland Hills, Haltom City, Richland Hills
QUAD CITIES FAMILY 4TH FIREWORKS SHOW
The cities, as well as the Quad Cities DFW Foundation, have teamed up for a 20-minute fireworks show. Patriotic music will be simulcast on KDKR-FM (91.3). Bring chairs, blankets and picnics.
File 2005
Sunset during the Family Fourth Celebration
• July 4 at 9:30 p.m. (in case of heavy rain, it will be rescheduled for July 5). Two suggested viewing areas are the parking lots of Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum, 6108 Broadway Ave. in Haltom City, and the ATI Career Training Center, 6351 Blvd. 26 in North Richland Hills. Parking is free; organizers recommend arriving early. 817-281-9376.
• Free admission.
ROWLETT
ONCOR SMART TEXAS FESTIVAL OF FREEDOM
The city of Rowlett's celebration features country artist Kevin Fowler this Saturday and rocker Eddie Money on Sunday. Both evening concerts will be followed by fireworks displays choreographed to patriotic music. Other attractions include carnival rides, arts and crafts for sale and a children's area.
• June 28 and June 29 from 1 to 11 p.m. (concerts at 8:30 p.m.) at Pecan Grove Park, 5300 Main St., Rowlett. www.rowlett.com.
• Festival admission is free; concert tickets at the gate cost $10 for adults, $5 for children.
SACHSE
FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR
The city of Sachse and the Sachse Economic Development Corp. will present a 25-minute fireworks show. Spectators will be allowed to bring lawn chairs and sit on the Hudson Middle School football field, at the east end of the school. No spectators will be allowed in Heritage Park, the launch site for the fireworks.
• July 3 at 9:30 p.m. Viewing at Hudson Middle School, 4400 Hudson Drive, Sachse.
• Free.
TERRELL
JULY 4th CELEBRATION
Families are invited to Terrell's annual celebration at Ben Gill Park. Festivities will begin with children's games to benefit nonprofit organizations, followed by a tricycle and bicycle decorating contest and a parade for kids 12 and under. The North East Texas Symphony Orchestra will present a concert at 8 p.m., followed by a fireworks display to finish out the night.
• July 4, games begin at 5 p.m., fireworks begin at 9:15 at Ben Gill Park, U.S. Highway 80 and Ninth Street. Terrell is about 30 miles east of Dallas. 1-877-837-7355. www.terrelltexas.com.
• Free admission. Tricycle-bicycle contest entry $2.
WAXAHACHIE
CRAPE MYRTLE FESTIVAL AND PARADE
A Tailgate Party on Thursday kicks off the celebration in Waxahachie. It'll feature a concert by country artist Jon Christopher Davis and a children's area. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and grills for cooking out. After the concert, catch a fireworks display. The parade will be on July 4 at 10 a.m., and on the same day , the Cowboy Church of Ellis County is hosting a July 4th Family Fun Day with a ranch rodeo, hayrides, a bounce house and more.
• Waxahachie is about 30 miles south of Dallas. 972-937-2390. www.waxahachiechamber.com.
• Tailgate party: Thursday at 6 p.m. at Lumpkins Stadium at Waxahachie High School, 1000 State Highway 77 N.
• Free admission.
Compiled by Katelyn Smitherman (SOURCE:DallasNews.com)
Talk about the Mile "HIGH" city....
© 2008