Here is a list of events taking place in North Texas on Independence Day weekend:
Sunday, July 3
Addison Kaboom Town features dazzling fireworks choreographed to music, plus food, live music, spectacular Cavanaugh Flight Museum’s historic war-bird flyovers and more. Avoid the traffic delays and stay after the fireworks for a free movie under the stars. Admission is free. Events run 5 p.m. to 12 midnight. Addison Circle Park is at 4970 Addison Circle Drive. Information: 972.450.2851 or http://www.addisontexas.net.
Farmers Branch Independence Day celebrates America with free admission, live music and spectacular fireworks at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. Tour the historical buildings, indulge in delicious concessions, and enjoy kids’ activities. Park gates open at 6:30 p.m. with a concert by local variety band Professor D beginning at 8 p.m. Fireworks follow the show at approximately 9:30 p.m. Farmers Branch Historical Park is at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane. Information: 972.919.2620 or http://www.farmersbranch.info.
Plano Community Band offers a summer concert of patriotic tunes. Pack a picnic dinner, bring blankets and chairs and take the whole family to this concert in the park. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Haggard Park in Downtown Plano, 901 E 15th St. Information: http://www.planoband.com.
Rowlett Fireworks on Main takes place on Main Street in Downtown Rowlett. Listen to great live music from Time Machine, one of DFW’s top cover bands. Finish with an amazing fireworks display at dusk. Festivities take place 6 to 10 p.m. Downtown Rowlett is at 4000 Main St. Information: 972.412.6145 or http://www.rowlett.com.
Independence Day Concert & Picnic at the Dallas Arboretum celebrates with rock ‘n’ roll and patriotic tunes on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage. Bring a picnic or enjoy tasty treats from Highland Park Cafeteria. Admission is free for all active and retired military with photo I.D., and general admission is $12. Concert begins at 2 p.m. The Dallas Arboretum is at 8525 Garland Road. Information: 214.515.6500 or http://www.dallasarboretum.org.
Monday, July 4
Lake Dallas City Park will be filled with Independence Day festivities including a morning parade, contests for cash prizes, great food choices, and vendor booths along with live entertainment from 9 AM to 10 PM. Patriotic spirit parade rolls at 9 AM from Lake Dallas Middle School towards Lake Dallas’ Main Street to City Park with Grand Marshal Mrs. Olive Stephens of Shady Shores. Eleven Hundred Springs returns this year as the headline evening entertainment featuring music from their newly released 8th album. Pop rock musicians Yesterday’s View is set to perform at noon followed by the 5th Annual Lake Cities Idol competition. Cross Pointe Church will be hosting their popular KidZone with waterslides and cool games for the children. The Apple Pie Bake-Off and Watermelon Eating Contests are traditional community favorites scheduled for this year’s event among others.
The evening will be topped off with a stunning fireworks show just after 9 PM. Information: 940-497-2226 x132 or http://www.lakedallas.com.
The annual Red, White & Lewisville Fireworks show will take place at 9:30 p.m. at Vista Ridge Mall, 2401 South Stemmons Freeway, Lewisville, TX 75067. Information: 972-219-3401 or http://www.cityoflewisville.com
Celebrate the Fourth of July weekend by running or walking in the 13th Annual Liberty Run: 5K Run and 1-Mile Fun Walk in Denton. The family-oriented race begins at 7:30 a.m., and check-in begins at 6:30 a.m. at North Lakes Recreation Center. Medals will be awarded to the top three 5K male and female finishers in each age group, and all walkers receive a participation medal. All participants will receive a T-shirt and snacks. Entry forms are available online at www.dentonparks.com. For more information, call (940) 349-7275.
Fireworks will light the sky at one of North Texas’ biggest bangs at Fouts Field on the University of North Texas campus during the annual Denton Kiwanis Fireworks Show. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and live music begins at 6:30. The event is free but avid gazers gladly make donations to the “Bucket Brigade” throughout the show. Information: 940-387-6323 or http://www.dentonkiwanisclub.org
The Town of Flower Mound will host a day-long celebration beginning at 11:00 AM with the annual Children’s Parade and ending with an exciting fireworks show that follows the free concert by classic rock icons Grand Funk Railroad. Independence Fest 2011 will also host performances by Professor D and Mound of Sound, a vintage car show presented by Memory Lane Car Shows, a showcase of local businesses, and a completely free Kid’s Zone complete with bounce houses, games for all ages, and more. The Children’s Parade will take place from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the LISD School Administration Building, 1800 Timber Creek Road, Flower Mound, 75028. Free hot dogs, drinks, children’s activities, and live entertainment will also await all participants and spectators at the conclusion of the parade. Line-up begins at 10:30 AM at the corner of Eaton and Timber Creek Road and is completely free and open to anyone who wishes to participate. The remaining activities (including the free concerts, fireworks display, classic car show, art exhibition, and the showcase of local businesses) will take place at Bakersfield Park, 1201 Duncan Lane, Flower Mound, 75028. Gates for the activities at Bakersfield Park will open at 5:00 PM and close at 10:30 PM. Information: 972-874-6300 or http://www.flower-mound.com/festival
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Fair Park Fourth includes free admission to Fair Park’s museums. Enjoy “dancing water” shows at the Esplanade Fountain, musical entertainment, games and plenty of Fair Park food. A patriotic concert by the Dallas Wind Symphony begins at 8:00 p.m., followed by a fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Celebrate at this free public event 4:30 to 10 p.m. throughout Fair Park, 1200 S. Second Ave. Information: 214.421.9600 or http://www.fairpark.org.
Irving Patriotic Parade and Concert displays patriotic pride in Downtown Irving. The parade will begin at 9 a.m., followed by a patriotic concert and free watermelon at Heritage Park, 217 Main St. Information: 972.721.2501 or http://www.cityofirving.org.
Irving Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks is an evening of entertainment at the intersection of Las Colinas Boulevard and Lake Carolyn Parkway with concerts by the Irving Symphony Orchestra and the Kenny Chavez Combo. Activities include inflatables and water slides, and food concession stands and vendors will be available. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m., with a professionally choreographed fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free, and event parking is $5 at the Irving Convention Center parking garage, 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd. Information: 972.721.2501 or http://www.cityofirving.org.
Patriotic Pops Concert features the Plano Symphony Orchestra, The Rich Tone Chorus, and the Plano Men of Note Chorus. Tickets are $10-35. The show is at 3 p.m. at the Eisemann Center for the
Performing Arts, 2351 Performance Drive. Information: http://www.planosymphony.org.
Star-Spangled Spectacular with the Dallas Wind Symphony is a red, white and blue salute to Mom, Apple Pie and an 11-ft. tall Uncle Sam. Tickets are $21-$38 and sold through the AT&T PAC. The show begins at 1 p.m. in the air-conditioned comfort of the Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St. Information: 214.880.0202 or http://www.dws.org.
Flagpole 8K is an annual run along the eastern shores of White Rock Lake and the peninsula neighborhood. After the race enjoy ice cold Gatorade, water, sodas, and a variety of fresh fruit. Cost is $25. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. in Norbuck Park, 200 N. Buckner Blvd. Information: http://www.whiterockracing.com.
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