.png)
The Fourth of July will be here soon. Here's a look at what's going on around Hays County on Thursday.
San Marcos
City Offices Closed July 4
City of San Marcos offices, including City Hall, Public Library, Activity Center, Municipal Court and Utility Offices, will be closed Thursday, July 4, for the Independence Day Holiday.
Enjoy City-Sponsored Fireworks
DATE AND TIME:
Thursday, July 4
6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
The free SummerFest celebration will run from 6-10 p.m. at San Marcos Plaza Park Thursday, July 4 in partnership with Summer in the Park.
Live music begins at 6 p.m. Registration for the children’s costume contest begins at 6 p.m. and the contest will be at 7 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
For information about SummerFest, visit www.summerfestsmtx.com or contact San Marcos Parks and Recreation at 512-393-8400 or the San Marcos Convention and Visitor Bureau at 512-393-5930.
Admission to the event is free and there will be free parking available at the Public Library, San Marcos Activity Center and City Park parking lot.
Private Fireworks Banned
The City Fire Code prohibits “the sale, possession, storage, discharge or offer for sale of fireworks” in the city limits. The penalty for violating the ordinance, part of the fire safety code, includes fines of up to $2,000.
The San Marcos Police Department will be on the lookout for violations over the holiday and will enforce the code. To report illegal fireworks in San Marcos, call the police non-emergency number at 512-753-2108.
Park Rules
Big crowds are expected to enjoy the San Marcos River and parks during the day. For information on park rules, visit www.sanmarcostx.gov/parkrules.
Fourth of July Celebration at Spring Lake
July 4 at 6:45 pm the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, 201 San Marcos Springs Drive, San Marcos.
Join us for a Fourth of July celebration at Spring Lake for guests of all ages to enjoy a unique, educational celebration of American Independence. Tickets include an exclusive evening glass-bottom boat ride, which will start at 7:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m., and guaranteed seating on the rooftop for the San Marcos Fireworks Show, which starts around 9:15p.m.
Evening Glass-bottom Boat Tours: Hop aboard a historic glass-bottom boat to enjoy breathtaking views of the sun setting over Spring Lake. This exclusive, evening tour will offer visitors a rare opportunity to see the aquatic wildlife that emerge after sunset.
Fireworks Viewing Party: Head upstairs to our rooftop for an exclusive view of the San Marcos Fireworks Show and watch the fireworks glow against the crystal-clear waters of Spring Lake.
Ticket packages range from $12 to $15 per person; children 3 and under are free. Visit http://bit.ly/SpringLakeJuly4 for more information and to purchase tickets.
Martindale
For the first time in 33 years, the 4th of July parade in Martindale will have a new line-up process and route. What began as a small family event has grown into an annual celebration that brings people from all across Texas to watch or participate in the parade.
Ross King and his sister, Jane Latham, decided to load up the family and create their own parade in the small stretch of downtown Martindale after another event had been cancelled at the last minute. The family crowned Jane “Queen,” piled into three cars and a trailer, set their radios to the same station, and took turns driving up and down the street waving at their imaginary audience.
“The next year,” Latham recalls, “I got a call from a neighbor asking if we were having the parade again.” Latham has organized the free parade every year since, but her niece, Becky Hyatt, will be taking over the job as parade marshal this year. This year, parade entrants will line up at the grass lot next to the post office on Lockhart Street. The procession will head down Lockhart Street to Main Street, then head up Gonzales Street and on to Crockett Street. The new route allows spectators to park and bring their chairs to watch all along Main Street. Gary Job Corps students and local law enforcement will be helping to direct the flow of traffic and assist with parking and participant lineup.
“The great thing about this parade, is that it is just small-town heart at its best — anyone can participate!” says Latham. To join the parade, just arrive and line up by 9:45 a.m. You can decorate pretty much any mode of transportation — vehicles, trailers, ATVs, bikes, wagons, golf carts, scooters, etc. The parade is also one of the few that still allows candy and prizes to be tossed to spectators.
Every year the Cen Tex Tin Lizzies drive a group of Model-T Fords. There are gauchos and miniature-pony carts, as well as leashed pets of all kinds. Local politicians, including Lloyd Doggett, have been a mainstay.
This year the Del Valle High School marching band will be at the front of the parade.
“Everyone’s favorite is always the children’s parade,” Latham said. “The kids will line up at the front of the parade at the church on the corner of Lockhart and Main and then lead it to the end of the downtown block at Gonzales Street where they meet up with their families. They just have such a wonderful time, and we enjoy watching them!”
Free parking for spectators is available at the Allen Bates River Park, at the corner lot at 1979 and Southeast River Road, and at a small lot on Crockett Street. Accessible parking is available in front of the 3 Rivers Community Church at the corner of Lockhart and Main Street.
If you are interested in volunteering or have questions about participating, contact Hyatt at 703-489-2589. If you would like to set up a food or vendor booth, contact City Hall at 512-357-2639.
Wimberley
Wimberley’s Independence Day Parade
DATE AND TIME
Thursday, July 4
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Wimberley's Independence Day Parade is the place to be to celebrate our nation's independence. Join us on Thursday, July 4 for small town country charm at its best. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Green Acres Road and FM 2325, winds through town on RR 12 then ends at Blue Heron Run. Roads begin closing at 9a.m. so get to your place to watch the parade early. For more information: www.wimberley.org, 512-847-2201, [email protected].
Dripping Springs
DATE AND TIME
Thursday, July 4
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Jason and Carrie Isaac present Dripping Springs' annual Independence Day fireworks show, Fire in the Sky!
The professional fireworks show, produced by American Fireworks, is free for the community to enjoy. You and your family are invited to VIP dinner before the pyrotechnics featuring barbecue, burgers, local beverages, and a true Texas summer essential: air conditioning.
The optional dinner helps cover the costs of producing the fireworks show. Because of the overwhelming generosity of the attendees and sponsors, we’re able to donate the remaining proceeds to North Hays County Fire Rescue and North Hays County Emergency Services District, #1 (EMS).
Dinner tickets are limited, so reserve yours.
5 p.m. - Ranch Park gates open
6:30 p.m. - Doors open for dinner
7 p.m. - Dinner served
Sundown - Fireworks begin
Dripping Springs United Methodist Church 4th of July Family Celebration
Thursday, July 4 at 6 p.m. Dripping Springs United Methodist Church, 28900 RR-12, Dripping Springs.
Kyle
Join in the celebration of Independence Day this July 4th as the City of Kyle once again has planned for a spectacular firework show.
Where to watch the fireworks
The City of Kyle will be celebrating the 4th of July with a fireworks show launched from Plum Creek Golf Course (PCGC).
Organized Events:
Golf Tournament - Plum Creek Golf Course will host a July 4th golf tournament beginning after lunch.
Plum Creek Golf Course - From 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., the pre-show celebration at the PCGC Clubhouse is free to the public and includes live music and fantastic viewing. Hot dogs and cold drinks will be sold under the large tent, along with other snacks. No outside food or drink permitted on the golf course property. For more information on the pre-fireworks events at Plum Creek Golf Course, call the PCGC Clubhouse at 512-262-5555.
Time of Fireworks - When it gets dark enough, around 9:30 p.m. on July 4th, the fireworks show will launch from the golf course.
Parking and Viewing - Find a spot early enough to see the tall water tower that is next to the Hays CISD PAC on Kohler’s Crossing. If you can see the water tower, you will have a great view of the fireworks. Parking on paved parking lots around the intersection of Kohler’s and Kyle Parkway are the safest locations. The approximately 20 minutes of “ooohs and ahhhs” will cap off a day of fun in Kyle.
Health Notice - there is smoke and small amounts of debris that fall out of a fireworks shell. Depending on the speed and direction of the wind, this "Fallout Zone" extends from the launch site. If you wish to avoid being in the smoke and debris, please watch the show outside the fallout zone.
