Posted 1:15 am Thursday, July 02, 2009
Celebrate The Fourth With Music, Fireworks
Staff Reports
Popular fireworks shows filling the night sky with color, concerts of patriotic music and parades -- on land and water -- are among the ways East Texans will celebrate the Independence Day holiday.
Popular fireworks shows filling the night sky with color, concerts of patriotic music and parades -- on land and water -- are among the ways East Texans will celebrate the Independence Day holiday.
People will have plenty of choices this year when it comes to celebrating the founding of our nation.
The city of Tyler prohibits individuals from possessing, selling or using fireworks. Exceptions to the ordinance are professional fireworks displays and those require a permit from the fire department, Deputy City Attorney Steve Kean said.
Tyler Jaycees Fireworks
The Tyler Jaycees will hold its annual Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza at Lindsey Park, 1255 Spur 364.
Gates to the park will open at 4 p.m. Saturday. The fireworks show, traditionally the largest in the region, will begin at dark.
Admission to the park is $10 a carload. No alcohol or personal fireworks are allowed.
Begun in 1963 at Rose Stadium, the fireworks show was held at Rose Stadium before moving to Lindsey Park in 1994. "Lindsey Park provides a family atmosphere with picnic areas, children's activities, live music and a dunking booth," said information from the Jaycees.
Tyler police will help traffic flow in and out of Lindsey Park. Beginning at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Spur 364 at Loop 323 will close to eastbound traffic and the right lane of the southbound traffic on Loop 323 near Spur 364 will close, said Don Martin, police information officer.
Residents who live off Spur 364 between Loop 323 and Greenbriar Road will be allowed through when they show their driver's license to officers, he said.
At the end of the fireworks show, the two left turn lanes eastbound on Texas Highway 31 at Loop 323 will be closed. Traffic will not be allowed to turn left, north, onto Loop 323 from the eastbound lanes of Texas 31.
For more information see the Web site tylerjaycees.org.
Other Tyler Events
The Tyler Community Band will perform its annual "Celebrate America" concert at 7:30 p.m. tonight at The University of Texas at Tyler Cowan Center.
The concert will feature works by John Philip Sousa, John Williams and Meredith Wilson, said information from the college.
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The East Texas Symphony Orchestra will perform a patriotic-themed concert at 7 p.m. on Friday on the downtown square. Gates and food booths will open at 5 p.m.
The East Texas Symphony Orchestra will perform a patriotic-themed concert at 7 p.m. on Friday on the downtown square. Gates and food booths will open at 5 p.m.
Tickets are $5 for general admission and $15 for seating close to the stage. General admission must provide seating.
The steel pan and world ensemble Caribbean Sound will perform as guest artists. The program will feature the "1812 Overture" and "Under the Sea" from Disney's "The Little Mermaid," as well as patriotic fare including an Armed Forces medley and an American salute.
Food and beverage coolers are not permitted. Food vendors and restaurants on the square will be open.
The concert will help fund renovation of Liberty Theater into new ETSO offices and a small performance hall.
For tickets and information, contact the ETSO office at 903-526-3876 or visit the Web site at www. etso.org.
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At 4 p.m., on Saturday, First Presbyterian Church, 230 W. Rusk, will host "Let Freedom Ring," a free patriotic concert featuring Tyler Civic Chorale, First Presbyterian Chancel Choir, Pollard United Methodist Church Glory Singers, East Texas Men in Harmony and Tyler Big Band. Ice cream will be served after the concert.
At 4 p.m., on Saturday, First Presbyterian Church, 230 W. Rusk, will host "Let Freedom Ring," a free patriotic concert featuring Tyler Civic Chorale, First Presbyterian Chancel Choir, Pollard United Methodist Church Glory Singers, East Texas Men in Harmony and Tyler Big Band. Ice cream will be served after the concert.
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The Thunder Over Cedar Creek Air Show on Saturday includes a viewing of the planes at Historic Aviation Memorial Museum at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Thunder Over Cedar Creek Air Show on Saturday includes a viewing of the planes at Historic Aviation Memorial Museum at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The show will feature about 20 World War II-era planes. People will be able to walk around the planes at the HAMM hangar and watch as they depart the airport for the show, said Carolyn Verver, HAMM public relations director.
The air show begins at about 7 p.m. with seating available at the Pinnacle Golf & Boat Club in Mabank. The event concludes with a fireworks show over the lake.
For more information, see the Web site tocclairshow.com.
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The Knollwood subdivision off Old Jacksonville Highway, south of Gresham, will have its 14th annual Fourth of July Parade at 9 a.m. on Saturday, said Diane Knowles, one of the event organizers.
The Knollwood subdivision off Old Jacksonville Highway, south of Gresham, will have its 14th annual Fourth of July Parade at 9 a.m. on Saturday, said Diane Knowles, one of the event organizers.
The parade steps off at Northwood and Deepwood.
Mrs. Knowles said dozens of children on bicycles, tricycles, strollers and wagons usually take part.
Anyone with an entry featuring patriotic decorations can join in, she said.
Eagle's Bluff Country Club
Eagle's Bluff Country Club on Lake Palestine will present a fireworks show open to the public.
Admission will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday at a cost of $10 per carload.
Music will be provided by Tyler Big Band and a burger and hot dog buffet will be available.
Bullard
Bullard celebrates with events beginning at 6 p.m. Friday behind the high school and ending with a fireworks show at dark.
Chandler/Lake Palestine
Lake Palestine United Methodist Church, 2889 FM 315 South, near Chandler, on Saturday will host a celebration with food vendors and games and giant bounce houses and slides, beginning at 2 p.m. The event also features live entertainment at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks at dark. For more information, see the Web site lakepalestineumc.com.
Lake Gladewater
The celebration at Lake Gladewater on Saturday includes a boat parade at 8 p.m. and fireworks.
Fireworks at Fisheries Center
The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center near Athens offers one of the largest fireworks show in the area. Admission to the center is free after 4 p.m. Food and beverage vendors will be set up and fishing will be allowed in the stocked ponds.
Henderson
The Fourth of July Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday on the square in Henderson.
Mineola
A fireworks show begins at dark on Saturday on the grounds of Mineola Civic Center.
Palestine
The city of Palestine sponsors a fireworks show at dark on Saturday on the grounds of Story School, 5300 Loop 256 South.
Canton
Canton's celebration includes a parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday followed by activities on the square and fireworks on the Trade Days grounds.
Nacogdoches
Nacogdoches celebrates FreedomFest on Saturday with a day of events downtown and fireworks at dark.
Brownsboro
Brownsboro celebrates the Fourth of July on Saturday with Sparks in the Park, an event in Brownsboro Park that begins at 10 a.m. with a children's bicycle parade.
Edom
The annual Fourth of July celebration at the ballpark in Edom on Saturday includes food, music and fireworks at dark. Information: edomtexas.com.
Rusk
Texas National Bank, 484 N. Main, Rusk, holds its hot dog lunch and celebration on Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. From 5-8 p.m., veterans will receive recognition during a community dinner on the square. On Saturday, a downtown parade steps off at 10 a.m., followed by events on the square and a fireworks show on Lake Jacksonville.
Overton/New London
Overton New London Area Chamber of Commerce's "Stars and Stripes" festival on Saturday includes a parade at 10 a.m. in City Park and ending with a fireworks show over Overton Lake.
Lake Jacksonville
A parade featuring boats and barges decorated in a patriotic theme begins at 10 a.m. from the spillway at Lake Jacksonville.
Kilgore
Lonestar Speedway, off Interstate 20 near Kilgore, sponsors races (SUPR Late Models, ASCS Gulf South Sprints, Modifieds and Factory Stock) on Friday. A fireworks show will follow. For more information, see the Web site lonestarspeedway.com.
Longview
A fireworks show at dark with patriotic music is set Friday at the Longview Fairgrounds, 1123 Jaycees Drive, in Longview. The show is sponsored by Longview League of Business Owners.
