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E-mail This StoryWhile Rowlett has decided to celebrate early the holiday, folks can use this opportunity to “get away from it all” by hopping over to neighboring communities. Folks can travel n near or far to get their fill of food, fireworks and concerts this weekend.
EASTERN DALLAS COUNTY AND LAKE RAY HUBBARD
The City of Sachse and the Sachse Economic Development Corporation are hosting a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m., Thursday, July 3. The best viewing for the 25-minute show will be in the Sewell Elementary School, Hudson Middle School and Sachse High School parking lots. Spectators can bring lawn chairs and sit on the Hudson Middle School football field at the east end of Hudson Middle School.
On Friday, Sachse's annual July 4th parade will roll from the Sachse Library parking lot, 3815 Sachse Road, at 10 a.m. This year's theme is "Reach for the Stars.” The parade will end at Heritage Park where there will be games and more family fun, including a "splash down" by the Sachse Fire Department.
Garland’s three-day Star Spangled Fourth 2008 celebration features day-concerts, food and fun for the kids. Located at Firewheel Town Center, S.H. 78 at the George Bush Turnpike, the event, which opens at 10 a.m. each day, will feature a car show as well as artisans and crafters and bounce rides and games for the kids. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m, followed by Kool & the Gang at 10 p.m. on Firewheel Town Center Stage.
In Rockwall, the annual fireworks celebration begins at dusk on July 4. Fireworks will be synchronized to music on 89.7 FM. Recommended viewing sites are Harry Myers Park, 815 E. Washington St.; Dobbs Elementary, 101 S. Clark St.; the Tuttle Athletic Complex, 1550 Airport Road; or the RISD Education Center, 1050 Williams St.
Stars on the Water is the theme for this year’s firework show Chandler's Landing on Lake Ray Hubbard. The show begins at dusk and will be simulcast on KYHI FM 95.3. The display can be viewed from The Harbor and Chandler's Marina, as well as surrounding areas on the lake and shore.
--LYNN PROCTOR WINDLE AND AMADEO LOPEZ
THE COLONY
A star-spangled celebration is in store in The Colony.
The Colony will celebrate Independence Day with Liberty By the Lake on July 4. The 2008 Liberty By the Lake festival will be held along the shoreline of Lake Lewisville at Stewart Creek Park.
Residents can help kick off the event by cheering on runners for the Liberty 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run beginning at 7:45 a.m. The course will start in Stewart Creek Park and make its way through the Stewart Peninsula Subdivision before returning to the park.
Then it is on to the Independence Day Parade. The theme for this year’s parade is “Star-Spangled Fourth.” Participants are encouraged to depict their favorite Hollywood icons in order to bring home the bragging rights for the Most Creative Float, Best Non-Float Entry or Outstanding Marching Group.
Due to Blair Oaks construction the parade will follow an alternate route, beginning at the Little League fields on North Colony Boulevard, then heading west on North Colony to Blair Oaks and then south on Blair Oaks to South Colony and finally west on South Colony to end at the Big Lots Shopping Center.
As the summer sun begins to set, activities at Stewart Creek Park heat up. Beginning at 3 p.m. the Kids Fun Zone opens and then at 4 p.m. the Freedom Business Expo welcomes guests and the Silvertones take the stage. Following the Silvertones, the featured entertainment for the evening will be the band Escape, A Journey Tribute, the group’s performance begins at 7 p.m. and will continue until time for the fireworks display starting around 9:30 p.m.
A host of activities are slated for the evening of the Fourth at Stewart Creek Park including the “Salsa Shootout “salsa contest and the “Anything that Floats” homemade boat regatta. New for the first time this year Liberty By the Lake will also be host to the R5Water -XRacing Tournament, one of the country's up and coming personal watercraft racing circuits. Friday afternoon will include an exposition from the racing participants and the actual tournament will take place on Saturday.
For information on Liberty By the Lake or to register for any of the activities visit www.libertybythelake.com or contact The Parks and Recreation Department at 972-625-1106.
--STAFF REPORTS
COPPELL
On July 3, Coppell will hold its Spirit of Coppell Independence Day Celebration from 7-10 p.m. in the Andrew Brown Jr. Community Park.
Performing at the event will be local Dallas party band, Signed Sealed Delivered. Sharri Lewis, special events coordinator, says she booked the band to “entertain [the] crowd because they have a strong, fun sound perfect for [the] July 3rd Celebration and Fireworks!” The festival will end with a firework display set to begin when the sun goes down.
The Patriotic Parade will begin at 10 a.m. July 4th. Led by George Dunham of “The Ticket,” the parade will begin at the corner of Samuel and Parkway Boulevard, and will travel to the recently completed Town Center, where the city will hold the dedication ceremony in which the winners of the float contest will be announced. According to Douglas Stover, mayor of Coppell, the Town Center will be “…a great gathering place for the community…it will become a common place for leisure activities.”
On July 5, the Coppell Farmers’ Market will hold it’s Summer Jubilee!, an annual event which consists of music, door prizes, local craft vendors, and local farmers and gardeners selling a plethora of goods produced and grown locally. The market will be open from 8 a.m. until all the products have been sold.
--MICHAEL HUBBARD
SOUTHLAKE
Southlake will be hosting its annual Stars and Stripes Festival July 3 in Southlake Town Square. There will be food, fireworks, and live performances by the Southlake Swing Band, and the Southlake Community Band and Choir. The event will last from 5-10 p.m. with fireworks starting at sundown. Neither alcoholic beverages nor glass containers will be allowed. If the event must be delayed because of rain, it will be rescheduled for July 5. Also on July 5, as part of the Masterworks Music Series, David Carr Jr. will be performing on the jazz saxophone at the Rustin Pavilion in Town Square.
--MICHAEL HUBBARD
LEWISVILLE
The annual Red, White and Lewisville firework show will take place July 4th. Parking will be available at Vista Ridge Mall, but the fireworks should be visible from most of southern Lewisville. Lewisville has decided to forgo all on-site festivities this year, but the mall will have indoor activities throughout the day. The firework show will begin at 9:30 p.m.
--MICHAEL HUBBARD
FLOWER MOUND
Flower Mound will hold its Independence Day Children’s Parade at 11 a.m. July 4. The parade will start at the corner of Eaton and Timber Creek Road. At 9:25 p.m., the town will begin its Independence Day Fireworks show. Gates will open at 7 to allow those wishing to show up early for prime seating to do so. Fireworks will be launched from Flower Mound High School. No alcohol or tobacco products are allowed on campus. Due to limited parking at Flower Mound High School, the community will provide transportation from Marcus High School.
--MICHAEL HUBBARD
July 3
Farmers Branch Independence Day Celebration
Farmers Branch Historical Park
24540 Farmers Branch Lane
Addison Kaboom Town!
Addison Circle Park
4970 Addison Circle Drive
July 5
Red, White, Rock-N-Roll
Historic Downtown Carrollton
1102 W. Main Street
CARROLLTON
The city of Carrollton will have no official July 4th celebration or fireworks show this year. Last year, the city council voted to discontinue the annual event and will create a new event beginning in the fall of 2009.
“The city council said they wanted to create a new signature event for Carrollton instead of competing against neighboring towns,” Sheri Chadwick, marketing director, told the Leader last month.
Many of Carrollton’s neighbors, including Farmers Branch and Addison, will have fireworks July 3.
Farmers Branch festivities will take place at the Farmers Branch Historical Park with fun, food and fireworks. Gates at the Historical Park open for the event at 6:30 p.m. with a concert by the Emerald City Band starting at 8. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged for the free event and concessions will be available for purchase. The evening will conclude with a traditional Independence Day fireworks display.
Addison’s nationally recognized fireworks show, Addison Kaboom Town!, can be seen from anywhere in Addison, including the Addison Circle Park watching party, many of Addison’s 170 restaurants, 22 hotels and more. The 30-minute fireworks show is choreographed to music and a live radio simulcast.
Family fun activities include a rock-climbing wall, giant slide, inflatables, sand art, massages, an obstacle course and much more.
There will be food and beverage booths at the Addison Circle Park watching party, including hamburgers, hot dogs, barbeque, chicken sandwiches, cotton candy, ice cream, beer, wine, soft drinks, water and much more. Attendees can also pick up food to go at one of the Addison Circle restaurants nearby or bring along a picnic basket.
The festivities will take place in Addison from 5 p.m. to midnight. Addison Circle Park is located at 4970 Addison Circle Drive. The event is free.
Historic Downtown Carrollton is hosting “Red, White, Rock-N-Roll,” an old fashioned 4th of July celebration, July 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to shopping and food, events include a classic car show, music by Cruisin’ Al and Elvis Impersonator Kraig Parker. Historic Downtown Carrollton is located at 1102 W. Main Street, just off of the Belt Line exit of I-35E.
--SENITRA HORBROOK
FRISCO FREEDOM FEST
A true American Fourth of July celebration wouldn’t be complete without fireworks, and the City of Frisco is hosting the biggest fireworks show in all of North Texas at this year’s Freedom Fest at Pizza Hut Park and Simpson Plaza.
The fireworks will be choreographed to music and a video for those watching inside of Pizza Hut Park, but will be visible for hundreds of surrounding residents and visitors.
“The big star of the entire night is the biggest fireworks show in North Texas,” Frisco Director of Communications Dana Baird said.
The event will also feature several new attractions and expanded ones, and the night will finish with a concert from The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edward, one of the last surviving members of the original group.
“We like to select a musical group that is family oriented and something that appeals to largely our baby-boomer generation, because that’s largely what we have here in Frisco,” Baird said. “We also like to select a group that has a string of hits that people like to sing along to.”
Garland resident Bill Lipman and his family have bypassed several city celebrations that are closer to his home over the years to attend Freedom Fest. Lipman said he and his wife, LeAnn, especially enjoy the headlining concert.
“There’s always been a band playing that we wanted to hear,” he said. “Some of the bands that have been there are bands that LeAnn and I grew up with when we were younger, so we just loved it.”
Lipman also said that his family enjoys a “Taste of Frisco,” where visitors may try food from a variety of restaurants for a small fee at each booth.
This year’s selection will be even bigger. Last year’s “Taste of Frisco” topped out at 11 vendors, this year there will be 28. Visitors may sample food ranging from Italian to Mexican to desserts.
“Taste of Frisco” is part of the “Party in the Plaza” at Simpson Plaza, which will also include a community stage featuring 16 local artists, a hometown hero exhibit to honor Frisco’s police officers and firefighters, and an expanded Children’s Expo.
Children may enjoy the annual favorites, and this year the city has added two bungee games, a rock climbing wall, and a train ride. Tickets for inflatable activities start at $1, and an all-day jump pass may be purchased for $20. Many of the activities, such as face-painting, are free.
Visitors may also send their good wishes to American troops at a new video booth. The city will compile the messages and send them overseas.
“So often during the holidays we hear messages from the troops overseas on the TV stations, but we thought it would be fun to give Frisco residents 10 to 15 seconds to say hello to the troops,” Baird said.
A free shuttle will transport visitors from the Simpson Plaza area to the Frisco Heritage Museum, which is hosting the city’s first “Old-fashioned Fourth” celebration. Visitors may participate in sack races and a bean-bag toss. A barbershop quartet will perform at the gazebo.
At 6 p.m., Major League Soccer team FC Dallas will take on the Kansas City Wizards at Pizza Hut Park. Fans may purchase a $10 game ticket that includes admission for The Temptations concert, fireworks, and opening concert by new music talent Freddy. Those wishing to skip the soccer match may purchase a $5 ticket for the following activities.
Freddy will take the stage at 8:30 p.m., and will be followed by the fireworks show around 9:30 p.m. The Temptations will perform after the fireworks to allow parents with young children to leave after the show. City organizers also hope the earlier fireworks will help ease traffic congestion because visitors will leave at different times.
A parking shuttle bus will not be available this year, but visitors may park in the open lots surrounding Frisco Square and at Pizza Hut Park for free.
All events start at 4 p.m. For information, visit www.FriscoFreedomFest.org.
--ANN MARIE SHAMBAUGH
PLANO
Thursday marks the beginning of Plano’s Fourth of July celebrations. The Plano Community Band will be performing in Plano’s Patriotic Concert at 7 p.m. at Haggard Park.
The celebration will continue at 9:30 a.m. Friday with the Independence Day Parade, presented by the Plano Early Lions Club. The parade will follow Independence Parkway beginning at Park Boulevard and ending at Spring Creek Parkway. For more information, please visit www.planoparade.org.
The Plano Symphony Orchestra, The Rich Tones Chorus and the Plano Men of Note will all be performing in the July 4th Patriotic Pops at 3 p.m. at the Eisemann Center. Tickets can be purchased online at www.planosymphony.org.
All-American Fourth fireworks display beginning at 7:30 p.m. and then the show starts at 9:30 p.m. at Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve on Spring Creek Parkway between Jupiter and Parker roads.
A live 97.5 KLAK radio remote broadcast offers music and a special collection of patriotic songs will be simulcast on 97.5 KLAK during the fireworks show.
Road closings involve the area of Spring Creek Parkway between Jupiter Road and Fieldlark Drive starting at 4 p.m. to ensure public safety. Free parking is available at First United Methodist Church (access from Parker Road), Collin College (from Jupiter Road) and Plano Centre.
For information on this and other Plano Parks and Recreation Department events, please call the Event Information Line at 972-941-PARK or contact the City of Plano Parks and Recreation Department’s Administrative Office at 972-941-7250.
--KIM NGUYEN
RICHARDSON
Richardson’s “Family Fourth Celebration” will take place between 6 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. in Breckinridge Park. This patriotic salute will be free and open to the entire community. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets and/or lawn chairs and enjoy the evening under the stars
Attractions include strolling balloon artists, bounce houses, and a climbing wall for the kids.
Food concessions, from Hungry Howie’s Pizza, Bovine Dreams, A la Care Catering and Texas Sourdough Café, will be available for those who wish to buy or supplement their picnic dinner.
Stage entertainment includes The JR Byrd Trio, performing at 6:30 p.m.; Frontier Drum & Bugle Corps., performing at 8 p.m. and The Richardson Community Band, going onstage at 8:45 p.m.
The official fireworks show will begin at about 9:45 p.m. and will feature eight-colored Skylites choreographed to the fireworks and music score.
--KIM NGUYEN
MCKINNEY
The City of McKinney will be hosting a weekend-long celebration for July 4th.
On Friday, the Hometown Parade will start at 10:30 a.m. at Finch Park, located at 301 W. Standifer.
A car show featuring original and modified cars and trucks from the 1930s to the present will take place at the former Collin County Courthouse at Tennessee and Davis streets. The show will occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., with an awards ceremony at 2 p.m.
Also happening in Historic Downtown McKinney, a veterans’ salute at noon, sidewalk sales between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Crape Myrtle Trails of McKinney Tours, located at the Heard-Craig House, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The McKinney Soccer Complex at Craig Ranch will continue McKinney’s “Red, White and BOOM!” The Fourth of July celebration with local and regional entertainment taking the stage between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. The band Miles from Nowhere will perform at 5 p.m., Charlie Robison at 7:05 p.m. and Josh Gracin at 8:15 p.m.
McKinney will recognize Blue Star Families residing in McKinney by honoring servicemen and servicewomen currently deployed overseas at 6:30 p.m.
The Flight of the Phoenix Escadrille will execute a fly-over at 7:30 p.m., with fireworks following at 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 5, Historic Downtown McKinney will hold sidewalk sales between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. as well as the 13th Annual Killis Melton Ice Cream Crank-off from noon to 3 p.m.
LITTLE ELM-OAK POINT
July Jubilee in Little Elm is going to be a firecracker of an event.
Holiday activities begin at 4 p.m. Friday in Little Elm Park.
Little Elm country and western singer-songwriter Jeff Smithart sing titles from his premiere album at 8 p.m. with a full band.
Vendors will line the park pavilion with a variety of food and games. The whole thing will conclude with a fireworks display over the lake.
No parking will be available in Little Elm Park. The town has arranged for continuous shuttles to take people to and from four parking areas from 4 to 10 p.m.
Those parking areas are:
*Lakeside Junior High School, 400 Lobo Lane;
*Little Elm Athletic Complex at 1151 E. Eldorado Parkway;
*Cesar Chavez Elementary School, 2600 Hart Road; and,
*Little Elm High School, 1900 Walker Lane.
No personal fireworks or glass containers will be allowed in the park.
Oak Point Freedom Fest will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. Parade formation will begin at Muleta Street at 9:30 a.m. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. in the Crescent Oaks subdivision at the intersection of Stagecoach Drive and Muleta Drive and end at Jake’s Place Park.
At 10:30 a.m. the event kickoff and Citizen of the Year award will be presented.
From 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. games and activities will entertain crowds. Free brisket sandwiches, hot dogs and chips with tea, lemonade or water will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the City Community Center. Oak Point residents are asked to bring a side dish such as potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans or a pasta salad.
Activities at Jake’s Place will include crafts, music, a hoola hoop contest, tug-of-war, horseshoe pitching, and other activities.
--PENNY RATHBUN
