Many cities across the country have either canceled or scaled back their Independence Day fireworks extravaganzas due to budget cutbacks. In North Texas, Dallas officials made headlines when they announced that there would be none of the usual festivities at Fair Park this year but then subsequently changed their minds, saying the show would go on -- on July 5.
Still, even in the midst of hard economic times, there are lots of locales in North Texas that are ready to put some sky-lighting sparkle and pop into your July Fourth celebrations. Here's a selection of 15 places across the region to catch fireworks this year. Remember to check the websites for what you can bring along, such as glass containers, alcoholic beverages, lawn chairs, etc.
Tarrant County
Arlington
4th of July Celebration and
Fireworks Show
Arlington Highlands mall
4000 Retail Connection Way
7 p.m. Sunday; fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Free
Music from the Roomsounds and the Kyle Sherman Band will kick off the celebrating. As if that's not enough, there'll be free snow cones. The fireworks viewing area will be at Highlands Corner and Market Square.
Light Up Arlington
Downtown Arlington
6 p.m. Saturday; fireworks begin
at 9:45 p.m.
Free
www.arlingtontx.gov/park/lightuparlington.html
The streets of central Arlington will be turned into one big block party with two music stages, a children's area and vendors.
Bedford
4th Fest/Island Adventure 2010
Bedford Boys Ranch Park
2801 Forest Ridge Road
Noon Sunday
Free
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.
www.ci.bedford.tx.us/Departments/tourism/fourfest.htm
Bedford is going for an island theme this year with a concert, island-adventure family activities and food. 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 for anyone under 18, free for age 2 and younger. Also, Forest Ridge Drive from Harwood Road to Shady Lane will be closed from 4 p.m. to midnight.
Fort Worth
Fort Worth's Fourth
Trinity River levee
Behind LaGrave Field
601 N.E. Sixth St.
4:30 p.m. Sunday; fireworks begin approximately 9:30 p.m. Sunday
Free
Parking for $5 at LaGrave Field, free along the street west of North Main Street
It's going to be a combination of music, baseball, stunts and water sports -- and, oh yeah, fireworks -- at the third incarnation of this riverside party. There'll be a Battle of the Bands featuring three contenders, 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-goers can see the game from levee lawn seats for $5 per person), personal watercraft shows, kayak rides and trail tours.
Old Fashioned Family Fireworks Picnic
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
3220 Botanic Garden Blvd.
8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday
$16-$46; parking $10-$20
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra throws this annual bash as part of Concerts in the Garden. There's nothing quite like fireworks accompanied by a live orchestra.
Burleson
July 4 Celebration
Hidden Creek Sports Complex
295 Hidden Creek Parkway
7:30 p.m. Sunday; fireworks begin around 9 p.m.
Free admission and parking
Critically acclaimed North Texas country-rock band Eleven Hundred Springs will kick off things with a performance that will be followed by the fireworks display.
Grapevine
Fireworks Extravaganza
Lake Grapevine
9:30 p.m. Sunday
Free
The sky will be lit up over Lake Grapevine for this 28th edition of the fireworks fest which, which originates from Oak Grove Park but can be seen from anywhere around the lake. Although it is free, some parks along the lake may charge admission. Fairway Drive will be closed, except to emergency vehicles, between Texas 26 East and Silveron Boulevard. Tune to KLUV-FM/98.7 (July 4) for musical accompaniment.
Mansfield
Rockin' 4th of July
Big League Dreams
500 Heritage Parkway S.
7 p.m. Sunday; fireworks begin
at 9:30 p.m.
Free admission and parking
No parking at Big League Dreams; parking and free shuttle at Newsom Stadium, Texas 360 at East Broad Street
Live music, carnival games, bounce houses and a military appreciation will be part of the program.
North Richland Hills
Chesapeake Energy Family 4th Fireworks Show
The Hills Shopping Center
6351 Boulevard 26
9:30 p.m. Saturday
Free admission and parking
www.nrhtx.com/special_events.aspx
Concessions will be available and you can listen to KDKR/91.3 FM to hear music accompanying the fireworks.
Southlake
Stars & Stripes of Southlake
Southlake Town Square
6 p.m. Saturday; fireworks begin
at 9:30 p.m.
Free
Parking and shuttles are available at White's Chapel United Methodist Church, 185 S. White's Chapel Blvd., starting at 4 p.m.
www.starsandstripessouthlake.com
Music, games and a patriotic ceremony (broadcast from Rustin Park) will precede the big fireworks show.
Dallas County
Addison
Kaboom Town
Addison Circle Park
4970 Addison Circle Drive
5 p.m. Saturday; fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.
Free
Often hailed as one of the best fireworks shows in the country by the likes of the Wall Street Journal and USA Today, Kaboom Town is a big regional draw. Preceding the fireworks will be live entertainment at 5 p.m., and after the pyrotechnical display there will be a showing of the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Dallas
Fair Park Fourth-on-the-Fifth
Fair Park
1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd.
6 p.m. Monday; fireworks begin
at 9:30 p.m.
Free; parking $10
After much city hand-wringing about the cancellation of the annual July Fourth festivities at Fair Park, some sponsors stepped up at the last minute. Visitors will get to see the recently renovated Esplanade Fountains (going off on the half hour 6-8 p.m.) and a performance by the Dallas Wind Symphony.
Grand Prairie
Lone Stars & Stripes Celebration
Lone Star Park
1000 Lone Star Parkway
5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; fireworks begin after the races each day
$5 general admission; children 3 and younger free
In addition to the ponies on the track, there will be pony rides, a petting zoo, games, bounce houses, clowns and live music both days on the Courtyard of Champions Stage from 5 to 11:30 p.m.
Denton County
Denton
4th of July Fireworks
University of North Texas
Fouts Field
2300 N. Interstate 35E
5:30 p.m. Saturday; fireworks at dusk
Free
This is the 38th year for the event, sponsored by the Denton Kiwanis Club. George Dunham & the Bird Dogs and City Folk will be providing the music. The event is free, but donations are accepted because it benefits the Denton Kiwanis Children's Clinic.
Flower Mound
Annual Independence Day
Celebration
Bakersfield Park
1201 Duncan Lane
7 p.m. Sunday; fireworks start
at 9:25 p.m.
Free admission and parking
www.flower-mound.com/independenceday/
The Walton Stout Band will perform, and there will be a rock wall, giant slide, obstacle course and bounce house to keep everyone entertained.
Cary Darling is the Star-Telegram pop culture critic, 817-390-7571.
