South Plains residents have plenty of opportunities to celebrate the nation’s Independence Day – both before and after July 4th on Friday – with a variety of events planned around the region.
Celebrations featuring fireworks shows, live music, food and more are on tap across the region starting Thursday with Brownfield’s Independence Day celebration, followed by the return of Lubbock’s 4th on Broadway festival around Mackenzie Park on Friday and Wolfforth’s 4th on the 5th on Saturday. Sunday, July 6, will bring the annual fireworks display at Buffalo Springs Lake, with wristbands for that event already on sale at the Lake’s administration office.
Here’s a look at what’s to come:
Plainview Red, White & Moo Freedom Parade & Milk Fest
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Plainview’s Red, White & Moo festival. The event was rescheduled from Wednesday to Friday, July 4, due to expected inclement weather.
Red, White and Moo will now be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Kidsville Park.
With the cancellation of the Plainview Chamber of Commerce’s Fireworks and threat of rain on July 2, Red White and Moo officials have decided to follow suit and move their event to Friday, to coincide with the Independence holiday. There will still be all the same special treats, face painting, petting zoo, the mobile dairy classroom and entertainment.
“Special thanks to the sponsors: DairyMax, Gandy’s, and Southwest Dairy Farmers, and our local dairy families for this quick shift in plans!” reads a statement from the city of Plainview.
Brownfield fireworks and more
A variety of festivities are planned starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 3, in Brownfield’s Coleman Park. The event will feature a golf cart parade and car show, as well as food, live music and a fireworks display after dark. A watermelon eating contest is set for 7:30 p.m. in the park’s amphitheater. Pre-registration for the watermelon eating contest, and other information, is available by calling City Hall at 806-637-4547.
Lubbock 4th on Broadway
Due to the recent rain events in Lubbock, the evening events for 4th on Broadway will now take place at the South Plains Fairgrounds, the city of Lubbock announced in a news release Tuesday. The HEB
The ground at Mackenzie Park is too saturated and soft to safely support the evening concert stage and other necessary infrastructure.
The HEB 4th on Broadway Parade, organized by Los Hermanos Familia and the Military Order of the Purple Heart, is still set to begin at 9:45 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church on Broadway near Avenue V and travels east along Broadway into Mackenzie Park.
Later in the day, Reliant’s Picnic Under the Stars, Leprino’s Kids Area Hosted by Cabela’s, and Gorilla Law Firm Lawpalooza Evening Concert will now all take place at the South Plains Fairgrounds.
Public parking will be available at the following locations:
More information about the event is available at www.LBKJuly4th.org
Slaton 4th on the Square
The Slaton Chamber of Commerce will host 4th on the Square from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, July 4. A parade starting at Slaton High School will begin at 9:30 a.m. The parade will proceed along Garza Street, around the square, travel along Lubbock Street and end at Methodist Church. The event in the square will feature food trucks, live music and other activities.
Lamesa 4th of July Freedom Fest
Lamesa’s 4th of July Freedom Fest kicks off with a parade at 10 a.m. Friday, July 4, according to the Lamesa Chamber of Commerce. The event will center around Forrest Park, 900 South Houston, and will feature a day full of events and activities including a live DJ, a hotdog eating contest, a patriotic pageant, softball tournament and a fireworks show after dark.
Wolfforth 4th on the 5th
The community is invited to Wolfforth for its annual 4th on the 5th Celebration starting at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 5, this year at Peoples Bank Stadium, 101 Donald Preston Drive. The event was moved from its traditional location in Patterson Park to accommodate the growing crowd.
The free event features live music, including Arle Rossnagel and The Hub City Drifters. There will also be kids activities, food trucks and a drone show at dark, weather permitting. Guests are invited to bring their blankets and lawn chairs. Organizers say they will provide additional porta potties.
Buffalo Springs Lake Fireworks
Buffalo Springs Lake is once again hosting its annual fireworks show, this time coming after dark Sunday evening, July 6. Ahead of the fireworks, the lake will host a free concert featuring AJ Castillo at noon in the amphitheater. Pre-purchased wristbands are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for veterans or children ages 6 to 11 and are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Lake’s administration office.
Admission is free for children 5 and younger. More information is available by calling the administration office at 806-747-3353 or going to their Facebook page or website at https://www.buffalospringslake.net/events/.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Forthcoming fun: Here’s how Lubbock, South Plains communities will celebrate July 4th
Reporting by Adam D. Young, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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