Celebrating freedom: South Plains communities to mark July 4 with fireworks, fun

Residents around the Lubbock area will mark Independence Day weekend with celebrations featuring fireworks, live music, fun food and more.

Among major celebrations are Saturday evening's annual fireworks display at Buffalo Springs Lake and Plainview's Red, White and Moo dairy festival, as well as Lubbock's annual 4th on Broadway events that started Friday and end with a fireworks show Monday evening in Mackenzie Park.

Buffalo Springs Lake Fireworks

Buffalo Springs Lake has announced its annual firework show happening on July 2nd.

Presale armbands were sold through Friday and cost $15 for those above the age of 12 and $10 for children between the ages of 6 and 11 and all seniors above 65. All children under the age of 5 will be allowed in for free. The Buffalo Springs Lake administration building is the only place to purchase presale armbands.

For those wishing to buy a ticket the day of the event, plan to spend two extra dollars on the ages 12+ tickets.

Fireworks are scheduled at sunset according to the Buffalo Springs Lake website.

Milk Fest

Plainview and Hale County are gearing up for an annual celebration of dairy and freedom Saturday, July 2.

The day kicks off with the Red, White and Moo Freedom Parade down Ash Street at 10 a.m. The parade will step off at 11th and Ash, moving south to Broadway Park. A "best decorated" and "people's choice" prize will be given to the top parade floats, and viewers will be able to vote on their favorites on the Red, White and Moo Facebook page.

Following the parade, the Red, White and Moo Milk Fest will take place will take place on the Hale County Courthouse lawn from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Besides the staple free milk, cheese and ice cream, activities include live music, food trucks, bounce houses, a petting zoo, face painting and dairy education.

The event, a Plainview tradition for more than a decade, is sponsored by several local dairies and is held in conjunction with National Dairy Month in June.

Then, in a separate Saturday evening event, the Plainview Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 40th annual fireworks display. The show will take place at Runningwater Draw Regional Park at dusk, around 9:30 p.m. Prior to the fireworks, around a dozen food vendors will be set up in the park serving their fare beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The chamber is still accepting donations for the fireworks show at the following address: Fireworks 2022, c/o Plainview Chamber of Commerce, 1906 W. Fifth St., Plainview, TX 79072.

Fourth on Broadway

The finishing touches are being put on the 2022 Fourth on Broadway. From kick-off concerts to the final fireworks, this is the do-not-miss event of the summer.

July 1:  On Friday, Raza on the Plaza, was hosted by Magic 106.5 at Cooks Garage, and featured Erick y su Grupo Massore, Ram Herrera and Sunny Sauceda.

July 3:  The Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen “Hold My Beer and Watch This” tour is July 3 at Cooks Garage.

July 4:

9 a.m., the Bolton Oil Parade at Broadway and Avenue M, traveling east on Broadway and into Mackenzie Park, also broadcast on KLBK-TV.

10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Caprock Cardiovascular Center Kids’ Area hosts tons of FREE kids’ activities, including inflatables, games and more.

10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. BMW of Lubbock Daytime Stages: Two major outdoor stages feature the best of West Texas music.

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cabela’s Youth Fishing Tournament hosts FREE fishing for ages 18 and under, along with prizes in several categories. Pre-registration is encouraged.

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Budweiser Fiesta Stage features the region’s best Tejano and mariachi bands.

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Plains Capital Bank West Texas Roots stage presents all genres of West Texas music.

5 p.m. River Smith’s Catfish and Cobbler Eating Contests for kids and adults; pre-registration is encouraged.

7 -10 p.m. The Gorilla Law Firm Evening Concert features ‘90s hip hop icon Vanilla Ice! Also appearing:

Mariachi Mi Tierra

The Caldwell Collective presents its West Texas Tribute to Bon Jovi, Journey and The Eagles

Lubbock teen-sensation trio Blackwater Draw

10 p.m. The United Supermarkets Fireworks Extravaganza choreographed live to classic and contemporary patriotic music.

Parking Information:

·         Free parking is provided by Southern Homes by Dan Wilson at Canyon Lake Drive between Broadway & 19th Street from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.

·        Paid Parking ($5 per car) is available at the South Plains Fairgrounds from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Pay once, come and go all day.

Free Shuttle Service to and from the park is provided by First Capital Bank and Mullin, Hoard & Brown, LLP.

All of the day’s events and information are available at broadwayfestivals.com.

Wolfforth 4th on the 5th

On Tuesday, the Wolfforth Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture will host its "4th on the 5th" celebration

Fireworks and festivities will be hosted at Patterson Park at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5. If weather permits it, fireworks will be displayed in the evening.

Music, food trucks and more will take place and all are welcome to attend This is the fourth year the Independence Day celebrations will take place and the first year back after it was canceled in 2021.

For more information, visit the Wolfforth Area Chambers of Commerce Facebook page. 

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Celebrating freedom: South Plains to mark July 4 with fireworks, fun