This year’s Independence Day celebrations will present area residents with the freedom to enjoy an entire weekend of food, fireworks and fun, thanks to events in Grapevine and Southlake.
"We actually have a full weekend for the July 4 Weekend," said Lisa McCowan, spokeswoman for Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau.
"It’s a weekend filled with plenty of patriotic events and a time for families to come to Grapevine and a have a great time at a great weekend getaway for the holiday," McCowan said.
The first event will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 4, with the dedication of the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial, McCowan said. The location of the memorial is 1000 Texan Trail, according to the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site.
The dedication ceremony should last about 90 minutes and will include an invocation by Don Bigbie, the chairman for the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau, the singing of the national anthem by an American Airlines flight attendant, a roll call of all 33 flight crew members who died on 9/11 followed by the release of white doves, as well as a ribbon cutting preceded by a benediction, McCowan said.
At 9:30 p.m., the 26th Annual Fireworks Extravaganza will be at Grapevine Lake, lasting about 30 minutes, McCowan said.
"We are also doing a simulcast with KLUV 98.7 FM at 9:30, so the show is synchronized with the music," she said of the Fireworks Extravaganza.
The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center will have an indoor fireworks show from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, July 4, said Martha Neibling, director of public relations at the Gaylord.
The indoor fireworks display is one of several events each Friday, as part of the Gaylord Texan’s SummerFest, taking place now through Labor Day, Neibling said.
"Because it’s an indoor fireworks show, it’s a smaller show," Neibling said.
However, she pointed out that, "It would be a fun thing for the kids."
A fire twirler will be performing from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the atrium of the Gaylord Texan, Neibling said.
The indoor firework show is free and open to the public, Neibling said.
For details about events contact the Gaylord Texan at 817-778-2215.
Another Independence Day option for those 21 and older, is visiting the Glass Cactus Nightclub, located near the Gaylord Texan on the shores of Grapevine Lake, Neibling said.
That night, a band called The Spazmatics will be performing and visitors can see the city’s firework display over the lake, Neibling said.
For more information visit the Glass Cactus’ Web site, www.glasscactusnightclub.com.
For those who want to get a head start on all of the fireworks festivities for Independence Day, the city of Southlake and Southlake Town Square are hosting Stars and Stripes from 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, in Southlake Town Square, which is free and open to the public, according to the city of Southlake’s Web site.
There will be food and drinks for sale, as well as a fireworks display which begins at 9:30 p.m. and musical performances by the Southlake Swing Band and the Southlake Community Band and Choir, said Pilar Schank, community relations officer for the city of Southlake.
King Creole also will perform, said Kristin White, recreation specialist for the city of Southlake.
Stars and Stripes will have entertainment for kids such as face painting and crafts, as well as stilt walkers, White said.
"It’s kind of a family event," White said.
For details on Stars and Stripes, call 817-748-8203 or 817-748-8019.