The Fourth of July is upon us once again.
It's a time for fireworks, parades, barbecues and, of course, plenty of red, white and blue. So, in honor of America's birthday, KUT has compiled a list of Independence Day parades featuring the best fireworks, food and festivities near you in Central Texas.
Austin
Austin Symphony H-E-B July 4th Concert & Fireworks
While Auditorium Shores is under renovation, the fireworks display moves eastward this year to Circuit of the Americas with the festivities starting at 8:30 p.m. with a concert from the Austin Symphony. Attendees can plop down on the Austin 360 Amphitheater lawn or in the general seating on a first come, first served basis. On-site camping and RV camping are also available. Parking is free in Lot F, and closer parking is available at Lots A, C and H for $10. Gates open at 3 p.m.
Northwest Austin Civic Association 4th of July Parade
The parade will start promptly at 9 a.m. Friday, with a flag ceremony and the singing of the national anthem featuring local Cub Scouts and County Commissioner Bruce Todd. Parade participants include Engine 21 of the Austin Fire Department, the Anderson High School band, the House Rabbit Resource Network (which last year featured some bunnies in mini-tanks) and the Ladies Lawn Chair Brigade.
The parade route will march from Far West Blvd between Waterline Rd. and Northledge Dr., ending at Doss Elementary.
Tarrytown 4th of July Parade and Picnic
The 21st annual Tarrytown4th of July Parade and Picnic will be presented 80′s style, starting at 9 a.m. All families are invited to participate in the parade or to cheer on the participants along the route. Folks will gather at Good Shepherd Church at 8:30 a.m., and the parade route will travel west on Windsor to Pecos and then follow Pecos to Reed Park. At Reed Park there will be refreshments, music, and breakfast treats.
Wells Branch 4th Fest
Residents of Wells Branch can gather at Katherine Fleischer Park at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning for a 12-hour celebration featuring a parade winding through the neighborhood, culminating in a festival featuring a rock wall, a bounce house, a dunk tank and games at the park's pool. Live music will also run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fireworks will launch at the Willow Bend pool starting at around 9:30 p.m.
Westlake 4th of July Parade
The parade will start at 8:45 a.m. on the corner of Westlake Drive and Bee Cave Road, winding up Rocky River Road and back towards Reveille Road to Bee Cave Road and concluding in the Northstar Bank parking lot. Parade attendees can enjoy a costume contest, breakfast tacos, live music and a hula hoop contest.
Bastrop
PatrioticFestival
The day begins with a pet parade at 10:30 a.m. on the corner of Pine and Water Streets, with the parade going up Main Street down to the Bastrop Opera House. Prizes will be awarded afterward. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The Bastrop Community Chorus and Band will warm up the crowd at 6 p.m. before the fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
Buda
Red, White, & Buda
Line up begins at 8:30 a.m. for the children's parade on Main Street near the old post office building and next to Garcia's, ending at City Park. Decorative bikes, wagons, scooters, strollers, and more will take a short parade route to City Park. Everyone is welcome to participate. Morning activities include bounce houses, an obstacle course, slip ‘n slide and a magician from 9 - 11 a.m. Fireworks begin at Buda City Park at 9 p.m.
Cedar Park
Cedar Park 4th of July Celebration
The parade will start at 10 a.m., traveling down Discovery Blvd. to the Cedar Park Recreation Center. All entries are free for the parade, but participants must fill out a parade entry form. The festival will begin at Milburn Park, with music beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m.
Elgin
People’s Patriotic 4th of July Parade
The parade will start at 10 a.m., with everyone invited to walk down historic Main Street from City Hall to the Veterans’ Memorial Park for a celebration of the Fourth. All non-motorized entries are accepted. Food and festivities follow the parade with a short program and a Soap Box Derby exhibition by the local Cub Scouts.
Georgetown
Georgetown’s Sertoma 4th of July Celebration
Festivities begin at 11 a.m. at San Gabriel Park beginning at the low water crossing and ending at the Gazebo. It will include over 60 arts and craft booths and 20 food vendors. Kids rides, bounce houses, games, and a petting zoo are provided for children. Musical entertainment will begin at the Gazebo at noon and continue all day. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.
Kyle
Kyle’s Independence Day Celebration
Beginning at 6 p.m., the pre-show celebration at the Plum Creek Golf Course Clubhouse is free to the public and includes live music. Hot dogs and cold drinks will be sold under the large tent, along with other snacks. Parking at the golf course is available for a donation to the Kyle Masonic Lodge. Fireworks will launch from PCGC at 9:30 p.m.
Hays CISD's Performing Arts Center will entertain with music until the fireworks start. The free public program starts off with local songwriter Kem Watts performing at 7 p.m., followed by Starlight Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. The finale will be a rendition of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” performed by Starlight Symphony Orchestra along with choirs from local schools and churches.
Lakeway
July 4th Celebration
The festivities kick-off at 8:30 a.m. with a parade down Lakeway Drive from Live Oak Golf Course to the Lakeway Church. There will be patriotic festivities at the Lakeway Activity Center afterwards at 10:30 a.m., and the Lakeway Swim Center will be open from noon until 9 p.m., with admission at $3. Live music will start at 7 p.m. at the Swim Center Park, with free parking available at Serene Hills Elementary School. Fireworks are tentatively set to start at 10 p.m.
Pflugerville
Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival
Festivities start at 3 p.m. and last until 11 p.m. include live music, activities for children, and a demonstration tent with a sculptor and musicians. Personal watercraft rentals will be available through PflugPfun. Fireworks launch from the southwest area of the lake in the evening. There will be no on-site parking this year. Shuttles will be available from Hendrickson High School and Pflugerville High School.
Round Rock
Brushy Creek 4th of July Parade and Celebration
Parade line-up begins at 9 a.m. at Liberty Walk and Valona Loop. The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will end in Cat Hollow Park at 10:00 a.m. The festival begins at 10 a.m. in Cat Hollow Park and will feature live music by Blue Dog Band. Free activities include a bounce house, inflatable slide, water slide, slip ‘n slide, and defender dome.
July 4th Frontier Days Celebration
A parade, fireworks, carnival rides, jalapeno pepper-eating contest, children’s games, Sam Bass Shootout, Movies in the Park and skydivers are all part of the City of Round Rock’s July Fourth Frontier Days Celebration. The parade begins at 11 a.m. at Main Street Plaza. Frontier Days festival opens at noon at Old Settlers Park. Fireworks will begin at dark.
San Marcos
San Marcos SummerFest
SummerFest begins at San Marcos Plaza Park at 6 p.m., and includes live music, fireworks, and a patriotic costume contest and parade for kids. Fireworks are set to begin at 9:30 p.m. Festival grounds close at 10 p.m.
