July 4th weekend kicks off: Here's where to celebrate in Lubbock, across South Plains
South Plains residents have a host of festivals and events to chose from to help celebrate Independence Day - before and after July 4th on Tuesday.
Celebrations featuring fireworks shows, live music, food and more are on tap across the region starting Saturday with the annual fireworks display at Buffalo Springs Lake and the Red, White & Moo Freedom Parade & Milk Fest in Plainview. On Tuesday comes the 33rd annual 4th on Broadway festival around Mackenzie Park in Lubbock, followed by Wolfforth's 4th on the 5th on Wednesday.
Here's a look at what's to come:
Plainview Red, White & Moo
The Red, White & Moo Freedom Parade & Milk Fest, along with various other activities, will be held on Saturday, July 1st at the Courthouse Lawn in downtown Plainview.
Activities will begin with the Red, White & Moo Freedom Parade at 10:00 a.m. The parade will begin at the Railroad Depot (12th & Broadway) and turn west at 6th & Broadway ending at City Hall.
Prizes will be given for the Best Decorated Entry and People’s Choice Award. Parade watchers will take a photo of their favorite entry and post it on the Red, White & Moo Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Red, White and MOO Milk Fest). People will be able to vote until midnight July 3rd. The winners will be announced on the Red, White & Moo Facebook page at noon on Tuesday, July 5th.
Candy will be allowed but no semi-trucks (or other vehicles) unable make the corner turn at 6th & Broadway.
Downtown Plainview /Main Street will be coordinating the parade and participants are welcome. For more information or to pick up an entry form, contact Melinda at 806.296.1100. Participants may also visit www.plainviewtx.org for a form.
Following the parade, the Red, White & Moo Milk Fest will be held on the Courthouse lawn from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Activities will include music, bouncy houses, mobile dairy classroom, petting zoo, face painting, food trucks and of course, free ice cream, milk and cheese.
The event is organized by the Red, White & Moo Committee, consisting of local dairies including Grand View Dairy, Fox Dairy, Legacy Farms, Dairy Fountain and Descanso Dairy. It has been held for more than ten years and is celebrated across the country in June for National Dairy Month. Along with the local dairies, Dairy Max and Southwest Dairy Farmers also support the efforts of the Red, White & Moo Festival.
Buffalo Springs Lake Fireworks
Buffalo Springs Lake is once again hosting its annual fireworks show, this time coming after dark Saturday evening. The show is sponsored by Pollard Friendly Ford. Admission is $18 for adults, $10 for seniors and children ages 6 to 11 and free for children 5 and younger. More information is available by calling the administration office at 747-3353 or going to their Facebook page at https://www.buffalospringslake.net/events/.
Lubbock 4th on Broadway
After seeing an attendance of 100,000 people last year, the 33rd 4th on Broadway is back again this year with 1990s music icon Vanilla Ice returning as the headliner for a second time.
Broadway Festival Inc. hosted a news conference earlier this month to provide updates about the free event set for July 4th in and around Mackenzie Park.
"Let's bring the community together in a safe environment and have a good time," Davis Smith of the Gorilla Law Firm, which is sponsoring the evening concert lineup, said during the news conference.
The day's events will kick off with the Bolton Oil Parade at its new time — 9:45 a.m. It will travel down Broadway from the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center into Mackenzie Park. Lubbock-area veterans advocates and volunteers Danny Koch and his wife June Koch were named parade marshals for this year's parade.
"Danny and June's volunteer work has been a gift to our community for many years - they are two of the most giving people in Lubbock," said Don Caldwell, president of Broadway Festivals.
Caldwell said the event's theme, "United We Sing," emphasizes that it will be a showcase of great local music and patriotism.
From 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. will be the Reliant Energy Picnic in the Park which will feature the following:
10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. — The Caprock Cardiovascular Center Kid's Area will feature free kid's activities, games and much more.
10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. — The BMW of Lubbock Daytime Stages will feature four stages placed around the park. According to BFI's website, the talent lineup will be announced in the coming future.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Youth 18 and under can participate in Cabela's free Youth Fishing Tournament for a chance to win prizes. Pre-registration is encouraged at BFI's website.
5 p.m. — River Smith's Catfish and Cobbler Easting Contest for kids and adults. Entry is free and pre-registration is encouraged.
The Gorilla Law Firm Evening Concert will feature Vanilla Ice for his encore performance in Lubbock.
The 7 to 10 p.m. concert will also feature a tribute to Selena featuring Gabriella Flores, a rockin' 80s tribute from the Caldwell Collective and Lubbock's Blackwater Draw.
Closing the night at 10 p.m. will be The United Supermarkets Fireworks Extravaganza which will be choreographed to live classic and contemporary music.
"The fireworks display is always just staggering — tt is so impressive and beautiful," said Nancy Sharp from United Supermarkets. "It also takes us a moment to pause and think about the sacrifice that was made for our country's freedom."
Where to park on the day
Katie Sandifier, event coordinator for BFI, said there are a few options for people to choose from.
Free Parking — Located at Canyon Lake Drive between Broadway and 19th Street will be available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Paid Parking — For $5 per car, individuals can park at the South Plains Fair Grounds from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Additional parking is available down at the park directly across the street.
A free shuttle service will also be provided from the park to the fairgrounds throughout the day.
Wolfforth 4th on the 5th
The community is invited to Wolfforth for its annual 4th on the 5th Celebration starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Patterson Park along U.S. 82 Frontage Road in Wolfforth.
The free event features live music, including Mystery Stain as well as The Hub City Drifters . There will also be kids activities, food trucks and fireworks at dark, weather permitting. Guests are invited to bring their blankets and lawn chairs.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Here's where to celebrate July 4th in Lubbock, across South Plains
