Central Texas will be celebrating Independence Day in a variety of ways this year. Due to severe drought conditions, many cities have decided to cancel or postpone the fireworks portion of their festivities. Be sure to check our listing of events to see how you can celebrate the Fourth of July this year.
Some cities holding fireworks this year include Georgetown, Kyle and Waco
Austin
The annual Austin Symphony Orchestra celebration at Auditorium Shores is cancelled this year. There will be no fireworks celebrations in Travis County this year due to fire concerns, but there are alternatives.
Wells Branch will be hosting FourthFest on the Fourth of July. The event starts at 10:00 a.m. with a parade running from Community Center to Katherine Fleischer Park. Live entertainment and games will be held at the park until 2 p.m.
The 1980s is the theme at Tarrytown’s Fourth of July parade. The 21st annual parade begins at 9:00 p.m. starting at Good Shepard Church and runs to Reed Park. There will be music and refreshments at the park following the parade.
The Northwest Austin Civic Association will be hosting a parade in Northwest Austin. The parade begins at 9:00 a.m. and runs from the corner of Waterline Road and Far West Boulevard to Doss Elementary School. Additional info can be found. Additional information about our annual 4th of July parade is available here.
Bastrop
Patriotic Festival On Friday evening and Saturday, July 1-2, plan to spend time downtown at the Patriotic Festival. Join us to Celebrate the Good Old USA and our nation's history! Lots of food vendors and kid's activities and games. Live music - 6 PM The Bastrop Community Chorus & Band; 8 PM Patriotic concert by the Austin Symphonic Band. Free Admission into the park.
Bee Cave
Hill Country Galleria - Saturday, July 2, from 4 - 10 p.m. Live music and family activities, including a bounce house, a clown, a juggler and a face painter.
Buda
Red White 'N Buda - Monday, July 4th, 2011
Due to the extreme drought conditions, the Fireworks were canceled in the interest of public safety but the Concert and Activities continue as scheduled!
Red White ‘n Buda July 4th Celebration
Buda City Park, Buda, TX 78610.
FREE ADMISSION
Monday, July 4, 2011
All ages welcome for this Fun, Free, Family event. Estimated attendance is 10,000.
EVENT SCHEDULE:
9:30–10 a.m. Childrens Parade in Buda from post office to City Park
10 a.m. – noon Free childrens activities & magician. Concessions provided by Buda Chamber of Commerce
6 - 9:30 p.m. Free Concert with Keith Kelso, Kevin Smith, and The Trishas. Paid activities and concessions.
Cedar Park
Fourth of July in Milburn Park
Come celebrate and enjoy a dance with live music, food concessions, air castles, face painting, carnival games, bingo, hamster balls, video games, laser tag, sack races, a washer tournament, art projects, and enjoy free watermelon. You may also cool off in Milburn Pool, which is open from 1 - 8 p.m. with daily pool admission rates applying. The fireworks have been postponed, but you can enjoy a free "electrifying" performance by ArcAttack at 9:30 p.m. ArcAttack appeared on America's Got Talent.
Military Receive Free Admission to Cedar Park Pools - Monday, July 4.
Elgin
Monday July 4 at 10 a.m. Push, Pedal and Pull Peoples’ Patriotic Parade & Parade Historical Downtown Elgin and Veterans’ Memorial Park
Georgetown
Come celebrate SERTOMA's 28th Annual 4th of July in San Gabriel Park from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., sponsored by the Georgetown Sertoma Club. Entertainment will be provided for the entire family throughout the day and finish with a Spectacular Fireworks Finale at dark.
The festivities will begin at 11 a.m. over 80 arts and crafts booths, food vendors, and the Kid's area will open. Musical entertainment, featuring some of the best local and central Texas talent, will begin at the Gazebo at 11 a.m. and continue all day. A “Hometown Parade”, sponsored by the Leadership Georgetown Alumni, will begin at noon in the park. Children will have opportunities for games, activities, petting zoo, train rides and face painting in the Children's Area. The “Fabulous Fireworks Finale” will begin at dark.
This festival has grown into one of the largest family events in central Texas and attracts over 50,000 visitors annually and is one of Georgetown biggest events of the year. Admission is free to the event and is located at the San Gabriel Park, on the beautiful San Gabriel River in the heart of Georgetown. It offers plenty of room and beauty for the whole family to enjoy.
Events Schedule:
• ARTS & CRAFTS, FOOD & DRINKS (SOFT) - All Day
• LIVE ENTERTAINMENT - All Day
• HOME TOWN PARADE - FEATURING MISS GEORGETOWN at noon
• KID'S GAMES & PETTING ZOO - All Day
• KIDS ACTIVITIES AND GIVE-AWAYS - All Day
• FABULOUS FIREWORKS FINALE - Begins at Dark
Kyle
• 4th of July Fireworks Show
• When: 07/04/2011
• Where: SW Corner of Kyle Parkway and Kohler's Crossing Kyle, TX 78640
• The Kyle Independence Day Celebration Fireworks Show has moved to the south-west corner of Kyle Parkway and Kohler's Crossing. PLEASE NOTE: There Will Be NO Viewing From Plum Creek Golf Course and the Golf Course Parking Lot Will Be Closed to ALL Vehicles.
The Kyle Pool is open till 7 p.m. Bring a picnic and stay till dark.
Join in the celebration of Independence Day this July 4th as the City of Kyle once again has planned for a spectacular fireworks show.
Before it gets dark on July 4th, find a safe and secure location around the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center (PAC) or anywhere around the intersection of Fm 1626 and Kohler's Crossing. The show can even be seen from the parking lots around Subway, What-A-Burger and Kohl's.
Please use extreme caution in parking on the street's right of way and no alcohol permitted at the PAC or on school property.
The fireworks are scheduled to begin around 9:30 p.m..
Round Rock
Brushy Creek 4th of July Parade and Festival
Cat Hollow Park
Celebrate Independence Day Brushy Creek style with lots of family fun and activities for all ages.
Hosted by the District and the Brushy Creek Women’s Association.
The event will begin with a parade. Line-up begins at 9 a.m. at the corner of Northfield and Liberty Walk. The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will end in Cat Hollow Park for the festival from 10 a.m. to Noon.
During the parade judges will be giving away awards for “Judge’s Favorite”, “Best Bike/Trike/Wagon”, “Best Pet”, “Best Walker” and “Best Group”.
The Festival will offer FREE fun for all ages. There will be bounce castles, inflatable water slides, games, face painting, hair painting, a trackless train and, everyone’s favorite, a spray down from a Sam Bass Fire Department Firetruck!
Round Rock Frontier Days
Fireworks display rescheduled due to drought
Because of the drought, the fireworks display has been rescheduled to coincide with Christmas Family Night festivities.
A parade, jalapeno pepper eating contest, children’s games, Sam Bass Shootout and skydivers are all part of the City of Round Rock’s July 4th Frontier Days Celebration. It’s a day of fun with an annual parade, pony rides, inflatables, arts and crafts vendors, Ballet Folklorico dancers and a re-enactment of the historical Sam Bass Shootout, all leading up to the annual fireworks celebration! This event is free for the entire family.
Independence Day festivities will begin with free watermelon at the Lakeview Pavilion. Next, skydivers will fly into the festivities; then guests will enjoy music from the Austin Symphonic Band with Movies in the Park beginning after dark.
Entertainment & Activities Schedule:
10 a.m. Parade Downtown Round Rock
12noon Festival opens! (Old Settlers Park)
12:30 p.m. Sam Bass Shootout/LIVE stunt men spectacular
1 p.m. Cowboy Sing-a-long with the Camp Cookie Trio
2 p.m. Round Rock Ballet Folklorico
3 p.m. Pepper Eating Contest
4 p.m. Sam Bass Shootout/LIVE stunt men spectacular
4 p.m. Sertoma Central Texas Rubber Duck Race. Click here to purchase your ducks.
6:30 p.m. Sam Bass Shootout/LIVE stunt men spectacular
7 p.m. Free watermelon served by your Round Rock City Council Members
7:15 p.m. Skydiver, Mayor's Address, Pledge of Allegiance
8:30 p.m. Live music from the Austin Symphonic Band
9:30 p.m. Movies in the Park - Iron Man 2 at Lakeview Pavilion and Despicable Me at Rabb Pavilion presented by Time Warner Cable
11 p.m. Festival close & Vendor take-down
San Marcos
Fireworks canceled
Summerfest San Marcos Celebration
San Marcos Plaza - 202 N. CM Allen Pkwy
San Marcos, Texas
Monday, July 4, 2011
5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The City of San Marcos is hosting the most exciting community independence celebration at a new location this year. This FREE event will feature live entertainment, food booths, children's activities, children’s costume competition and parade. Summerfest will be held on the grounds of San Marcos Plaza Park, same location as Sights of Sounds of Christmas.
Admission: FREE
Summerfest is an alcohol free event. Coolers are subject to inspection.
Taylor
There will be a walking and bicycle parade beginning Monday at 10:00 a.m in Murphy Park. If you’d like to participate, head to the gazebo in the park at 9:45 a.m. dressed in your patriotic garb.
Temple
Temple’s 4th of July Family Fun Fest is cancelled due to fire threat levels.
Waco
Waco will be holding its Fourth on the Brazos celebration this Independence Day. Celebrations begin at 6:30 p.m. with one of the areas few fireworks displays beginning at 10:00 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on WCCC-TV on Time Warner Cable channel 10.
Other attractions at “Fourth on the Brazos” include games, free arts and crafts for kids, a food court, and inflatable bouncers.
Streets in downtown Waco will close at 7:00 p.m. but parking will be available throughout the downtown area.