How will you spend your Independence Day this year? In our area, the options are endless, but this 4th of July roundup will hopefully help you narrow down your choices:
COLLIN COUNTY
Fourth of July Celebration at Watters Creek – Held in Allen at Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm, the event offers live country music and free trolley rides around the creek and shopping/dining destination. The night ends with a 4-minute fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
Frisco Freedom Fest – Complete with a Major League Soccer match between FC Dallas and Chivas USA and a “Taste of Frisco” offering, Freedom Fest has something for everyone. The Hometown Hero exhibit is a fun way for kids to meet local police and fire officials, and the Children’s Expo even has a zip line this year. Oh, and there are fireworks, too.
Red, White & BOOM – Presented by the City of McKinney, the day of fun starts with a parade in Downtown McKinney and includes a car show in the afternoon. Over at the McKinney Soccer Complex at Craig Ranch, visitors of all ages can take advantage of assorted food, activities and live entertainment until the 9:45 p.m. fireworks show.
Market Street Allen USA Celebration 2013 – Allen’s annual Independence Day event has become a city tradition over the years. Tucked into a neighborhood near Celebration Park, this one is fun because families load up the kiddos and blankets in a wagon or stroller and make a day of it. Note that this one comes early – Saturday, June 29 – but still offers a “kid zone,” crafts, food, music, and of course fireworks.
Plano Independence Day Parade - It's the Plano Lion's Club's 33rd year to sponsor the city parade, which begins promptly at 9 a.m. and ends at 11 a.m.
Richardson Family 4th Celebration - The Richardson Community Band will be making an appearance at Breckinridge Park this year, and the Star Spangled Safety Event will be a learning opportunity for kids. Bring a picnic (or bring cash for concessions) and snag a comfy spot for the 9:45 fireworks display.
DALLAS COUNTY
Duncanville Lion’s Club Fourth of July Parade – All Best Southwest residents are invited to the day’s festivities. The theme for this year's parade is "Three Cheers for the Red, White, and Blue,” and the Duncanville High School Pantherettes are serving as the Grand Marshals of the event.
Fair Park Fourth – The Dallas Wind Symphony and a “dancing water show” will be among the entertainers for the event. A fireworks show by the same company that hosts the Super Bowl’s pyrotechnics starts at 9:30 p.m., with plenty to do beforehand, including lots of food. Plus, all Fair Park museums will be free admission from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Exchange Club of Lake Highlands Parade – At 9 a.m. Independence Day, the annual parade starts at North Highlands Bible Church — featuring floats, fire engines, antique cars, a police helicopter and many families walking together. The parade heads down Church Road and ends at Lake Highlands North Recreation Center, where there will be lots of food, musical performers, games and entertainment for all ages until noon.
Irving Indepence Day Celebration - In the Las Colinas District, you'll be able to find an "extensive" food court (including funnel cake), children's activities and live music at the two-day celebration July 3 and 4. There's a parade in the Irving Heritage District the morning of July 4, and all are invited.
Little Forest Hills 4th of July Parade – This Casa Linda-area neighborhood has hosted a parade for the last ten years. With a real hometown feel, the “Disco-Jivin”-themed event offers watermelon and apple pie after the parade ends at the Casa Linda Park.
Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebration - Featuring Thoroughbred racing and a petting zoo, this event hosted by Lone Star Park and the City of Grand Prairie is unique among the many D/FW July 4 celebrations. The fireworks show is 20 minutes long and choreographed to music from 99.5 FM.
Kaboom Town – The event on July 3 from 5 p.m. to midnight includes live entertainment, plane flyovers, and a family fun zone. This one’s ranked nationally as one of the “best places to watch fireworks,” according to American Pyrotechnics Association, USA Today, Travel + Leisure and The Wall Street Journal.
Park Cities 4th of July Parade - A longstanding tradition (and a special celebration because of HP’s year-long centennial recognition!), the parade and family festival hosted by the Rotary Club attracts residents and non-residents alike to the streets of the Park Cities. Complete with a fun run, music, food and games, the event starts on Euclid Ave. winding through Highland Park and ending at Goar Park.
DENTON COUNTY
Castle Hills July 4th Freedom Festival – The Castle Hills Village Shops Plaza hosts this free event complete with pretty fireworks, food trucks along Lake Avalon, a cover band, water slide and a chance to win an iPad mini!
Flower Mound Independence Fest 2013 - This year's celebration features Rick Springfield as its headliner. The day starts off with a Children's Parade, and families are invited to spend the afternoon at Bakersfield Park to enjoy the free kid's zone before ending the evening under the stars - and fireworks!
Kiwanis Fireworks Show - It's the Denton Kiwanis' 40th year to present fireworks, this year at UNT's new Apogee Stadium. Live music will entertain before pyrotechnics light the sky, and the event is totally free.
Southlake Stars and Stripes - The day before July 4 Southlake residents will celebrate our nation's independence with crafts, a toddler zone, inflatable obstacles, patriotic music and a fireworks show to top it all off at 9:30 p.m. July 3.
ROCKWALL COUNTY
Harbor Freedom Fest 2013 – With Lake Ray Hubbard as the backdrop, Rockwall’s Freedom Fest on June 30 from 4 to 10 p.m. will have food vendors and a fireworks show to celebrate America’s birthday.
TARRANT COUNTY
29th Annual Fireworks Extravaganza – Pick your favorite spot near Lake Grapevine or in the Gaylord Texan parking lot and stake out for the 9:30 fireworks display right over the water.
Arlington Highlands July Fourth Fireworks Extravaganza - All are invited to eat and shop at Arlington Highlands before taking in fireworks at 9:15. They say it's the "best fireworks display in Arlington."
Bedford 4thFest - This year is a special one because it's the city's 60th birthday. You know what that means - cake! Plus there will be a car show, access to Bedford's Splash Aquatic Center, a children's comedy show and a fireworks extravaganza.
Going to one of these celebrations? Post your photos with a short description of the event to your neighborhood BubbleLife site for your city's residents to see!