Cities across North Texas will be putting on fireworks shows and other events this weekend to celebrate the 4th of July.
FRIDAY
Fort Worth
Old Fashioned Family Fireworks Picnic
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
3220 Botanic Garden Blvd.
8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Admission: $16-$46
Parking: $10-$20
Noteworthy: The Fort Worth Symphony throws this bash every year as part of its Concerts in the Garden series. There's nothing quite like fireworks with a live orchestra.
SATURDAY
Addison
Kaboom Town
Live music from the Dallas Wind Symphony, an outdoor screening of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, historical aircraft flying through the air and a 30-minute fireworks spectacular that can be seen from just about anywhere in Addison. We say point your car north and go. Kaboom.
Addison Circle Park, 4970 Addison Circle Drive
5:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday
Admission: Free
www.addisontexas.net/events/KaboomTown
Arlington
45th annual Arlington Independence Day parade
The holiday weekend wouldn't be complete without a parade, and this one is arguably the area's most beloved. More than 150 entries, including classic cars, marching bands and all-American clowns, will be marching along the streets of downtown Arlington.
Parade starts at the intersection of Mitchell and Pecan streets
9 a.m. Saturday
Admission: Free
Parking: Available at UT-Arlington Maverick Stadium, 1307 W. Mitchell St., with shuttle service to downtown.
Light Up Arlington
Downtown Arlington
6 p.m. Saturday; fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m.
Admission: Free
Noteworthy: The streets of central Arlington will be turned into one big block party with two music stages, a children's area, and vendors.
www.arlingtontx.gov/park/lightuparlington.html
Denton
4th of July Fireworks
University of North Texas
Fouts Field
2300 N. Interstate 35E
5:30 p.m. Saturday; fireworks begin at dusk
Admission: Free
Noteworthy: This is the 38th time for the event, sponsored by the Denton Kiwanis Club. George Dunham & the Bird Dogs and City Folk will be providing the music. While the event is free, donations are accepted as it benefits the Denton Kiwanis Children's Clinic.
Fort Worth
Stockyards Stampede
Willie Nelson's annual Fourth of July picnic has decamped for Austin, but you can still drink too much beer, stand in the hot sun and listen to country music all day long at the Stockyards Stampede, which features Randy Rogers Band, Mark Chesnutt, Ryan Bingham (who recently won an Oscar for his song from Crazy Heart)
North Forty Concert Venue, adjacent to Billy Bob’s Texas
2520 Rodeo Plaza
Noon to midnight Saturday
Admission: $30; $40 at the gate
Grand Prairie
Lone Stars and Stripes
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie offers a weekend of racing and fireworks, along with a petting zoo, clowns and prizes (you can win a 2010 Chevy Silverado on Saturday and a trip to Phoenix on Sunday).
Lone Star Park
1000 Lone Star Parkway, Grand Prairie
Saturday and Sunday, gates open at 3 p.m., races begin at 5 p.m., fireworks follow after the last race
Admission: $5-$32
North Richland Hills
Chesapeake Energy Family 4th Fireworks Show
The Hills Shopping Center
6351 Boulevard 26
9:30 p.m. Saturday
Admission: Free
Parking: Free at the Hills Shopping Center and Thomas Coliseum in Haltom City.
Noteworthy: Concessions will be on hand for purchase and you can listen to KDKR/91.3 FM to hear music accompanying the fireworks. In conjunction with the fireworks show, the Farside Band will open an evening of fun Saturday at 7 p.m. by performing classic rock and pop favorites from the 1960s, 70s and 80s at the Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum located at 6108 Broadway Ave., Haltom City.
www.nrhtx.com/special_events.aspx
Southlake
Stars & Stripes of Southlake
Southlake Town Square
Southlake Boulevard and Texas 114
6 p.m. Saturday; fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Parking: Your best bet is to park at White's Chapel United Methodist Church, 185 S. White's Chapel Blvd., starting at 4 p.m and take the shuttle to Town Square, where parking will be hard to find.
Noteworthy: The evening features music, games, and a patriotic ceremony (broadcast from Rustin Park) that will precede the big fireworks show.
www.starsandstripessouthlake.com
SUNDAY
Arlington
4th of July Celebration and Fireworks Show
Arlington Highlands Mall
4000 Retail Connection Way
7 p.m. Sunday; fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Noteworthy: Music from the Roomsounds and the Kyle Sherman Band will kick off the celebrating here. That will be followed by the fireworks at 9:30 p.m. As if that's not enough, there'll be free snow cones. The fireworks viewing area will be at Highlands Corner and Market Square.
Bedford
4th Fest Island Adventure
Bedford Boys Ranch Park
2801 Forest Ridge Rd.
Noon Sunday
Admission: Free
Parking: No on-site parking; $4 shuttle service at Pennington Field, 1501 Central Drive. The last shuttle to Boys Ranch Park leaves Pennington at 9:30 p.m.
Noteworthy: The day-long festival includes a concert, island-adventure family activities, food and fireworks. The Splash Aquatic Center is also taking part with several water slides, a children's play zone, and a cabana party pavilion. Note that there is an admission for Splash activities: $5.50 adults, $4.50 children under 18, free for children two and younger. Also, Forest Ridge Dr. from Harwood Rd. to Shady Lane will be closed from 4 p.m. to midnight.
www.ci.bedford.tx.us/Departments/tourism/fourfest.htm
Burleson
July 4 Celebration
Hidden Creek Sports Complex
295 Hidden Creek Parkway
7:30 p.m. Sunday; fireworks begin around 9 p.m.
Admission: Free
Parking: Free
Noteworthy: North Texas country-rock band Eleven Hundred Springs will kick things off with a performance and that will be followed by the fireworks display.
Flower Mound
Annual Independence Day Celebration
Bakersfield Park
1201 Duncan Lane
7 p.m. Sunday; fireworks start at 9:25 p.m.
Admission: Free
Parking: Free
Noteworthy: The Walton Stout Band will perform and there'll also be a rock wall, giant slide, an obstacle course, and a bounce house to keep everyone entertained until the explosions start.
www.flower-mound.com/independenceday
Fort Worth
Fort Worth's Fourth
Trinity River Levee
Behind LaGrave Field
601 NE 6th St.
4:30 p.m. Sunday; fireworks begin approximately at 9:30 p.m., Sunday
Admission: Free
Parking for $5 at LaGrave Field, free along the street west of N. Main St.
Noteworthy: There'll be a Battle of the Bands featuring three bands, an attempt to break the record for levee-sliding with the most people sliding down a slope simultaneously, a Fort Worth Cats baseball game (Fourth Worth-goers can see the game from levee lawn seats for $1 per preson), jet ski shows, kayak rides, and trail tours.
Grapevine
Fireworks Extravaganza
Lake Grapevine
9:30 p.m. Sunday
Admission: Free (however, some parks along the lake may charge admission)
Noteworthy: The skies will light up over Lake Grapevine for this 28th edition of the fireworks fest which, though originating from Oak Grove Park, will be able to be viewed anywhere around the lake. Note that Fairway Drive will be closed to all but emergency vehicles between Texas 26 and Silveron Boulevard. Tune into KLUV-FM/98.7 for musical accompaniment to the fireworks.
Mansfield
Rockin' 4th of July
Big League Dreams
500 Heritage Parkway South
7 p.m. Sunday; fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Parking: No parking at Big League Dreams; parking and free shuttle at Newsom Stadium, Texas 360 at East Broad Street.
Noteworthy: Live music, carnival games, bounce houses, and a military appreciation will be part of the program at this celebration.
Naval Air Station Fort Worth
Lake Worth shoreline
South of NW Loop 820
Noteworthy: The Fort Worth Naval Air Station will do a fireworks display on their Lake Worth shoreline beginning at dusk. Although the station is not open to the public, residents along the lake and public boaters should be able to see the display.
Trophy Club
4th of July Celebration
All day
Admission: Free
Noteworthy: The day begins with a 5K run and 3K walk at Byron Nelson High School. The town pool and splash pad, 500 Parkview Drive, opens at noon. The Trophy Club Idol Talent Contest is from 1 to 2:30 p.m., followed by the parade at 5 p.m. A festival begins at 6 p.m. in the pool parking lot. Fireworks should begin about 9:15 p.m.
MONDAY
Dallas
Fair Park fireworks
Fair Park
Dallas Wind Symphony performance begins at 8:30 p.m., fireworks follow at 9:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Parking: $10
