Celebrating Independence: Fourth of July Festivities in Central Texas

By SUE MORRISEY | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR and BLAIR DUPRE

As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, Central Texas is bustling with excitement for the upcoming Fourth of July festivities. Are you into traditional parades and rodeos? Maybe food trucks and live music are your jam. And, of course, everyone’s favorite, glorious fireworks. Central Texas has it all. Here’s your guide to the best local celebrations.

Belton’s Grand Celebration

Belton is gearing up for its spectacular Fourth of July celebration, a tradition that has captivated the heart of the community for over a century. This year, the festivities kick off with the famous parade, expected to draw more than 30,000 spectators. The parade route begins at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, moving south on Main Street and winding its way to the Belton Police Memorial.

Following the parade, attendees can head to Yettie Polk Park for the Festival on Nolan Creek, featuring an array of food and craft vendors, games, a petting zoo and much more. A short walk away, carnival rides and attractions beckon families and adventure-seekers alike.

Later, enjoy the Backyard Party at Schoepf’s Barbecue, featuring a concert and fireworks show. The gates open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public; no tickets are needed. However, seating is limited, so you need to reserve your seats ahead of time. You can also buy tables to guarantee seating for your group. For more details and to reserve seating, visit https://schoepfsbbq.com.

Rodeo enthusiasts are in for a treat! The PRCA Rodeo runs from July 4-6 at the Cadence Bank Center. This indoor, air-conditioned venue will host the only PRCA Rodeo in Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, bringing cowboys from around the country to this event. The rodeo is celebrating its 100th year in Belton, with a host of activities planned. Read more about it on page 72.

Can’t wait to start celebrating the Fourth of July? The Belton Chamber of Commerce is getting the party started early! Join them on Saturday, June 29, from 5 to 11 p.m., for a downtown Belton Street Party. This event will take place around the Bell County Courthouse at 101 E. Central Ave. It’s a free, family-friendly gathering open to everyone. At the Belton Street Party, you can enjoy live music, food trucks, craft beer, wine and more.

You can find all of the details, including information about a hot dog eating contest, a car show and the carnival at Liberty Park by visiting https://rodeobelton.com/street-party.

Temple’s Fireworks Celebration

In Temple, the 26th Annual H-E-B Fourth of July Fireworks Show is set to dazzle spectators with what’s billed as the “GREATEST FIREWORKS show in Central Texas.” This year, the event will unfold at Crossroads Park, located at 1020 Research Parkway. The festivities kick off on July 4 with the park opening at 6 p.m. Admission is completely free, thanks to generous sponsors like H-E-B and the City of Temple, ensuring everyone can join in the celebration.

Visitors are encouraged to come early, bringing along lawn chairs, picnic baskets and blankets to secure a comfortable spot for the evening’s main attraction. The fireworks are set to light up the sky at 9:30 p.m., promising a brilliant display easily viewed from anywhere within the park and the surrounding areas. Free parking is available throughout the park, making access easy and convenient for all attendees.

It’s important for everyone to remember that there is a no smoking policy in all city parks, and personal fireworks are strictly prohibited within city limits to ensure safety for all. This event is a fantastic opportunity for families and friends to gather and celebrate Independence Day in a festive and safe environment.

Red, White and Blue

The City of Killeen will be hosting its Red, White and Blue Music Festival on July 6 in historic downtown Killeen. Info was not available at press time, but visit www.killeentexas.gov for details closer to the event.

Key Information at a Glance

If you’re planning to join the festivities, in any of the featured cities, here is the essential information at glance to help you navigate the events:

Belton
Event Date: Starts early on Saturday, June 29, with activities through July 4-6.
Location: Main activities around the Bell County Courthouse, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Yettie Polk Park, and Cadence Bank Center.
Special Attractions: Parade, Festival on Nolan Creek, PRCA Rodeo, Downtown Street Party, and Backyard Party at Schoepf’s.
Admission: Free public access to most events; carnival wristbands and table reservations available for purchase.
Parking: Available in the vicinity; follow local signage.

Temple
Event Date: Thursday, July 4.
Location: Crossroads Park, 1020 Research Parkway.
Main Event: H-E-B Fourth of July Fireworks Show at 9:30 p.m.
Admission: Free, sponsored by H-E-B and the City of Temple.
Parking: Free throughout the park.
Note: No smoking or personal fireworks are prohibited within city parks.

Whatever you love to do, Central Texas has something for everyone as we commemorate America’s 248th birthday. So gather your family and friends and celebrate freedom!

What minerals produce the colors in fireworks?

Mineral elements provide the color in fireworks. Barium produces bright greens; strontium yields deep reds; copper produces blues; and sodium yields yellow. Other colors can be made by mixing elements: strontium and sodium produce brilliant orange; titanium, zirconium, and magnesium alloys make silvery white; copper and strontium make lavender. Gold sparks are produced by iron filings and small pieces of charcoal. Bright flashes and loud bangs come from aluminum powder.

How Fireworks are Made

Fireworks, a spectacle of light and sound, have captivated audiences around the world for centuries. Not only are they fun to watch; they’re a clever mix of science and engineering. It takes a combination of gunpowder and various chemicals, all arranged just right, to create the amazing colors and effects we see in the sky. Let’s take a look at how fireworks work.

Each firework has a slow burning fuse which is lit before the firework is launched from a tube called a mortar. The slow burning fuse gives the firework time to get high in the sky before exploding.

After the firework is launched, the fuse keeps burning until it ignites the gunpowder inside the shell, sending it even higher. Next, the fuse will reach the bursting charge, causing it to explode into the beautiful colors and designs we all know and love.

The colors come from different metal salts that burn when the firework explodes. For example, strontium makes red, copper makes blue, sodium makes yellow, and barium makes green. Each of these metals burns in its specific wavelength of light to create bright colors that light up the night sky.

So, when you’re watching the fireworks this year, remember the combination of science and creativity behind the dazzling show in the sky!