Seasonal & Holidays
Austin-Area Independence Day Fireworks Guide, July 4, 2018
From Austin to Round Rock, the region will celebrate the Fourth of July in ways that would make the Founding Fathers smile.
AUSTIN, TX — The Fourth of July is right around the corner, when America will turn 242 years old. America, you don't look a day over 240, having weathered the stress relatively unscathed. It'll be a time to celebrate to be sure, but it's best to leave the fireworks to the professionals.
Because fireworks, while pretty, are dangerous. They're best enjoyed in the company of strangers in a park-like setting while sitting atop blankets, oohing and ahhing in quiet solidarity with our fellow Americans. Fortunately, there are myriad displays scheduled to take place across the region.
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The grand dame of public fireworks in Austin is arguably the one staged by HEB. Each year, members of the Austin Symphony play their hearts out playing patriotic music, helping to stir feelings of national pride to those in attendance. Peter Bay will do the honors as conductor this year in an event expected to lure up to 100,000 attendees — the biggest such celebration in the state.
It's a sight to behold in South Austin that would make the Founding Fathers smile. Tens of thousands of residents descend to the Vic Mathias Shores (formerly Auditorium Shores) each year, many decked out in red, white and blue attire. The event will kick off in earnest at 8:30 p.m. with symphony music, followed by "mile-high" fireworks around an hour later. The event is free and open to the public. So set aside that picnic and basket in preparation! Souvenir T-shirts will be on sale from a tent alongside Riverside Drive for just $5. Not to be a Debbie Downer after all the palpable excitement of this entry, but the event inevitably creates traffic congestion given the attending throngs. So do refer to the attached map to be aware of road closures beforehand. Also, here's the directions to get there.
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Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic
If the HEB-staged fireworks display is the grand dame of such events, the Willie Nelson Fourth of July Picnic is the granddaddy. Live Nation, C3 Presents and Circuit of The Americas (COTA) will once again stage this popular event. Because, really, who doesn't love Willie Nelson?
Georgetown Fireworks and BBQ AT Brix and Ale
Brix And Ale has July 4th covered with signature Texas BBQ, Americana Music, and a spectacular fireworks display courtesy of the City of Georgetown.
EAT: Texas style BBQ favorites like pulled pork, smoked chicken, and char grilled sirloin steaks
MUSIC: Americana music by Tammy and David
FIREWORKS: Spectacular display from San Gabriel Park with the best view in town from the Brix And Ale patio. Show starts at 9:30 PM.
PRICE: $35 per person, not including tax or gratuity. Children 12 and under are half price.
Price includes soda and iced tea. Patriotic adult beverages will be available for purchase and sold separately.
Reservations are required by calling 737-444-2750
Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/383049868871461/
Website: http://www.brixandalegtx.com/en/events
Brix And Ale Independence BBQ Menu:
Smoked Free Range Chicken, spicy beer BBQ sauce
Shiner Bock Pulled Pork, brioche rolls
Wild Game Sausage
Char Grilled Sirloin Steaks
Warm Bacon Potato Salad
BLT Chopped SaladHill Country Slaw
Grilled Summer Vegetables
Sliced Watermelon
Banana Pudding
Individual Apple Pies
Brix And Ale is located at Sheraton Georgetown, 1101 Woodlawn, Georgetown Texas
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Brix and Ale, courtesy photo
Grey Rock Stars and Stripes Fireworks Show
This is a members-only event, but still worth noting. The first week in July, the Grey Rock Golf Golf Course and Tennis Club hosts its annual celebration viewed from the 18th Fairway. Great food is on hand for this South Austin event. If you're a member, secure your tickets now before they're gone.
Availalble to overnight resort guests and members, a full day of celebration will take places at Horseshoe Bay Resort, 200 Hi Circle North, Horseshoe Bay, Texas, with fireworks over Lake LBJ starting at 9:30 p.m. Prior to the fireworks, Derek Spence will present a Tribute to George Strait, delivering the legendary Texas crooner's greatest hits. Here's what's in store:
Wednesday, July 4th
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Military Appreciation Whitewater Putting Course @ Whitewater Putting Course.
9:30 a.m. - July 4th Land Parade @ Horseshoe Bay Boulevard.
10:15 a.m. - July 4th Boat Parade @ Yacht Club/Lighthouse.
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Family Fun Day @ Yacht Club Lily Lawn ($15/person).
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Arcade Double Down @ Marina Arcade.
3 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Happy Hour @ Whitewater Putting Course.
8 p.m. to 10 p.m. - A Tribute To George Strait @ Yacht Club Waterfront.
Packages and rooms can be booked here: https://www.hsbresort.com/specials
Horseshoe Bay Resort, photo by Tony Secker, used with permission
A down-home, laid back affair, Bob Schneider's Independence Day Celebration is a quintessentially Texan way to celebrate the 4th of July. Folks usually arrive wearing their cowboy boots to this event staged at the Nutty Brown Café, eager for the party. This year, Schneider performs with Eric Tessmer and Jane Ellen Bryant. Not free, admission to this event ranges from $20 to $100, depending on accommodations. It's a hootenanny and Fourth of July party rolled into one! Yee-haw!
Just south of Austins some 16 miles away, Buda's celebration starts early, getting participants revved up in the morning for the nighttime activities. There's a morning children's parade featuring decorated bicycles, wagons and floats that runs down Main Street. At the city park, bouncy houses and more fun awaits families post-parade. The celebration continues into the night with live music and an elaborate fireworks display. If the term "family-friendly" ever were put to its ideal use, it would be to describe this event.
Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Celebration
Patriotism meets commerce with the Hill Country Galleria's event. But if you think about it, spending money on goods and services is an apt tribute to the free market economy envisioned by our Founding Fathers as they crafted our democracy. Attendees squeeze in some shopping while listening to live music in anticipation of the night's fireworks. Some folks take in some fine dining at any number of top-notch restaurants here while listening to music in the background. Best fireworks viewing spots are the grassy lawn area at the Central Plaza or on its east side.
The small town of Leander is not left behind with fireworks displays, offering a widely praised event that makes it a giant among entrants in a way that belies the small jurisdiction of its boundaries. This is a free, family-friendly event featuring live music, food and craft vendors. Activities designed for the kiddos abound here, capped by a wonderful fireworks display. This year's headliners: Departure ATX, Casey Donahew, Melissa Lawson and Stoney Larue.
Kyle Independence Day Celebration
On the outskirts of town, Kyle is another one of those towns with surprisingly ambitious Independence Day celebrations each year. Live music will be provided by The Psychic Cowboys and the Starlight Symphony Orchestra. At the Plum Creek golf course, hot dogs, drinks and snacks will be on hand. The golf grounds serve as staging area for the night's spectacular fireworks display.
Pflugerville residents like to add an errant "p" to words starting with the "f" sound, a nod to the city's German founders for whom the municipality is named. It's sometimes pfrustrating from the standpoint of a journalist, having to quickly decide on style usage when writing stories about the community. But in the end, it's a pfabulous thing to honor the pfounders in this pfashion. Which is all to say that the city also will host a fireworks display, but in the case of Pflugerville they will be pfirecrackers. It's the Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival, don't you know. Ahead of the fireworks, er, pfirecrackers, that is, a kids' area features face-painting, crafts and games for the patriotic little tykes. Those who get hungry can choose from among 16 food trucks catering to every conceivable palate. Starting at 6 p.m., live music from Suede will be in the offing, followed by the formal patriotic presentation. And it's all free! Or is that pfree?
Cedar Park 4th of July Parade and Celebration
If Norman Rockwell were still alive, he'd likely be drawn to this community event for inspiration in creating one of his iconic paintings. Things get started at 10 a.m. with a parade that meanders along Discovery Boulevard, starting at the HEB Center and ending at the Cedar Park Recreation Center. There, more fun and family-friendly events are in store for those attending. The patriotic meat of the celebration kicks off at 5 p.m. with live music performances, bingo, air castles, a washer tournament. Oh, and free watermelon slices! The event is capped off with requisite fireworks. Given the summer heat, some people take to nearby Milburn Pool to cool off. The facility extends its hours on that day, open from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rockwell would go nuts.
Some 20,000 spectators flock to Round Rock each year for Frontier Days, a wonderful event highlighting the best virtues of community living. There are carnival rides, children's games, the Sam Bass Shootout and Movies in the Park, this year featuring Star Wars: The Last Jedi. It's quirky too, in that delightfully Texas way, with Swifty Swine Pig Races and a jalapeño0-eating contest for the braver residents in attendance. But wait, there's more: The best floats are judged, cheerleaders cheer, a drill team does its thing. Equestrian demonstrations and a decorated vehicles abound. Fun stuff!
Round Rock Express Independence Day
As if Frontier Days weren't enough to suffuse one with patriotism, Round Rock also hosts Round Rock Independence Day, mixing two of the most quintessentially American icons: Baseball and fireworks. Sports fans head out to Dell Diamond to watch members of the Round Rock Express in action, followed by a spectacular fireworks show. Food options abound, and there's even a pool and spa area for relaxation. After the fireworks, attendees are allowed to run the bases in fulfilling their own private Field of Dreams moments while enjoying live music. Indeed, for many residents, baseball has been very, very good to them each Independence Day. It's free!
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