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Fun for the Fourth: Metroplex plans Independence Day celebrations aplenty
By Jessica Rush, jrush@acnpapers.com
With a jam-packed calendar of Fourth of July activities, there should be no shortage of patriotic plans for this weekend. Independence Day is on Monday this year, but families can get started early with musical concerts and festive fireworks shows.
A good variety of events means families can find their own unique way to pay tribute to the sacrifices of our founding fathers and for those who have continued to fight for the freedoms enjoyed today.
July 2
The patriotic party known as Frisco Freedom Fest starts at 4 p.m. in Frisco Square, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., with the Children's Expo, Community Stage and Hometown Hero Exhibit. There will be plenty to watch and eat as the city brings back Taste of Frisco, where restaurants serve up some of their most popular dishes. The dance crew Street Beats Group will keep the energy high at Party in the Plaza. Across the street, fans can cheer for their beloved FC Dallas soccer team as they take on Columbus Crew at Pizza Hut Park. The park is also a good place to sit back and watch the 20-minute fireworks finale that ends the evening. Details can be found at friscofreedomfest.org .
Melissa
The Celebration of Freedom 2011 kicks off with a parade at 6 p.m. in Zadow Park, 3001 McKinney St. The children's area will have face painters, bounce houses and a Trackless Train. The SoundHouse Band will entertain guests as they wander through various booths from vendors and restaurants. Illumination Fireworks is sponsoring the Spectacular Fireworks Show at 10 p.m. For information, visit www.melissatx.org .
Dallas
All retired and active duty military with photo I.D. can get into the Dallas Arboretum free from July 2-4. The 36 Infantry Division Band will provide patriotic melodies from 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday only at the Martin Rutchik Concert Lawn. Picnics can be arranged through the Highland Park Cafeteria by the concert stage, or visitors can enjoy full meals at the Lula Mae Slaughter Dining Terrace or Café on the Green. The Fourth of July weekend is also a good time to check out the Arboretum's Fairy Tale Castle exhibit, which brings to life seven castles from original fairy tales and encourages literacy and imagination. The Dallas Arboretum is at 8525 Garland Road and general admission is $12. Information can be found at dallasarboretum.org .
The Colony
The Colony's annual Fourth of July festival, "Liberty by the Lake," is scheduled for Saturday, July 2, at Stewart Creek Park, 3700 Sparks Road. A wide variety of activities are planned, including a wakeboarding competition, live music, a business expo, Family Fun Zone, BMX stunt shows, Salsa Shootout, and, of course, a big-time fireworks finale. The festival kicks off at 4 p.m. The BMX Stunt shows begin at 4:15 p.m., with additional shows every two hours. Judging for the Salsa Shootout starts at 6 p.m. The fireworks finale is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. The park will open for festival access at 11 a.m. For information, call The Colony Parks and Recreation Department at 972-625-1106.
July 3
Plano
Nothing says summer like a concert in the park, and the Fourth of July weekend would not be complete without a helping of patriotic tunes. The Plano Community Band is offering a free concert at 7 p.m. at Haggard Park, 901 E. 15th St. in downtown Plano. Concertgoers may bring comfortable chairs or blankets, food, pets and the whole family. Future dates for the band's Concert in the Park series can be found at www.planoband.com .
Addison
Live entertainment at Addison Kaboom Town begins at 5 p.m. and includes a performance by the Dallas Wind Symphony. The Addison Airport Air Show will bring the skies to life with planes from the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in a Historic Warbird Flyover. Games such as Bubble Runners, which allows visitors to roll on water in a giant hamster ball, will be available in the Family Fun Zone. Kaboom Town's nationally acclaimed fireworks show can be seen around the city beginning at 9:35 p.m.
The free watch party will be at Addison Circle Park, 4970 Addison Circle Drive, and complimentary parking is at the corner of Arapaho and Dallas Parkway.
To avoid traffic delays, an after-party runs until midnight with a free movie and special show by Emerald City, voted as "Dallas' Best Band." For information, visit addisontexas.net .
Farmers Branch
Red, white and blue festivities are coming to Farmers Branch Historical Park for an Independence Day celebration. The park gates open at 6:30 p.m. for attendees to enjoy concessions, children's activities and tours of historical buildings. Of note with the live music scheduled is local variety band Professor D, which goes on stage at 8 p.m. It is free to attend, and visitors may bring blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy a fireworks show that starts at approximately 9:30 p.m. Information can be found at www.farmersbranch.info .
Rowlett
Downtown Rowlett will be transformed on Main Street for the city's largest fireworks show. The street will be lined with food vendors and sponsored booths between 6 and 10 p.m. Along with bounce houses and trampolines for children, one of the area's top cover bands, Time Machine, will get friends and families into a groovy mood with live music. Parking is available at Coyle Middle School and Herfurth Park, and the downtown activities are between City Hall and the library at 3900 Main St. The main fireworks event begins at dusk. For information, visit rowlett.com .
July 4
Plano
The Plano Early Lions Club has organized the annual Plano Independence Day Parade. Residents can watch along the route from the appropriate starting point along Independence Parkway, from 15th Street to Parkhaven Drive. Information can be found at www.planoparade.net .
Regarded as one of the leading pyrotechnics shows in North Texas, the All-American Fourth fireworks display is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. at the Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, on Spring Creek Parkway between Jupiter and Parker roads. The public can relax on the grassy slopes with blankets and lawn chairs as they listen to music synced with the fireworks. Parking is available at the Plano Centre, Collin College and First United Methodist Church of Plano. On-site concessions include meat from Ye Ole Butcher Shop and sweets from Dippin' Dots.
Richardson
The Plano Symphony Orchestra, led by Hector Guzman, will honor the United States and the preservation of freedom with a Patriotic Pops Concert at 3 p.m. The Plano's Men of Note Chorus and the Patriotic Pops Chorus will be featured performers. The Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts, 2351 Performance Drive, will provide the cool, indoor venue for the concert. Ticket prices range from $10-$35 and can be purchased online through www.planosymphony.org .
Over at Breckinridge Park, the city's annual Family Fourth Celebration starts at 6 p.m. with balloon artists, bounce houses and a climbing wall for the children. Entertainment includes the Richardson Community Band's traditional Patriotic Salute Concert on stage at 8:45 p.m. The Star Spangled Safety Event aims to make residents prepared and aware with goody bags and family activities. The sparks begin to fly at 9:45 p.m. with a fireworks show that can be seen from the park's 10-acre lake and three pavilions. Breckinridge Park is just south of the intersection of Renner and Brand roads. Call 972-744-4580 with questions.
McKinney
New to the fourth annual Red, White and BOOM! celebration is a master class with American Idol performers at the MPAC. Singers can register to learn the tricks to auditioning for the televised contests or take part in a number of activities in Downtown Historic McKinney. Daytime events include a Hometown Parade and sidewalk sales at 10 a.m. and a car show from 1 to 5 p.m. Family activities and food sales continue at 7 p.m. at the McKinney Soccer Complex at Craig Ranch, followed by live music from American Idol Motown Review. The "BOOM" part of the day comes at 9:45 p.m. with a spectacular fireworks show synchronized to WRR's "Sounds of America."
Dallas
The annual Flagpole 8K starts at 7:30 a.m. in Norbuck Park, 200 N. Buckner Blvd., along White Rock Lake. Registration information can be found at www.whiterockracing.com.
The city's official Independence Day celebration, Fair Park Fourth, begins at 4:30 p.m. with free admission to Fair Park's participating museums, including Texas Discovery Gardens and the Museum of Nature & Science. Stefani Little Band, a Grammy-nominated ensemble, will perform at 7 p.m. in front of the Hall of State, followed by a "Red, White and Blue Concert" from the Dallas Wind Symphony. The symphony also performs earlier at 1 p.m. at the Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St. Event planners recommend watching the fireworks program from inside the Cotton Bowl. Guests may bring their own picnics or purchase food during the show, which is simulcast with music and starts at 9:30 p.m. Dallas charges $10 for parking at Fair Park, 1121 First Ave. Directions can be found at www.fairpark.org
Flower Mound
Flower Mound is not only celebrating an American holiday but its 50th anniversary as well. Independence Fest 2011 starts with the Children's Parade of bikes and trikes at the LISD School Administration Building, 1800 Timber Creek Road. After some free hot dogs, beverages and kid-friendly activities, the evening's events continue at Bakersfield Park, 1201 Duncan Lane. The park gates open at 5 p.m. to showcase local businesses and performances by Professor D, Mound of Sound and Grand Funk Railroad. Memory Lane Car Shows will host a vintage car display and a free Kid's Zone will have bounce houses and face painting. The day concludes with a fireworks show. Find out details at www.flower-mound.com/festival
Lewisville
The annual Red White & Lewisville fireworks show begins just after dark, about 9:30 p.m. Event planners recommend watching the night sky light up on the south side of Vista Ridge Mall and along the 121 Bypass. It is free to attend, and questions can be directed to 972-219-3401.
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Shame on you for not having somewhere to use the restroom at your 4th celebration at Collin College. People were having to urinate in public around every corner.
City of Plano...FAIL "