Posted: Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:11 AM - 18,596 Readers

By: Michelle Cerulli

The H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert and Fireworks has been canceled this year, but you don't have to let the drought, er, rain on your patriotic parade. Many of this year's festivities needed a bit of reworking, but event coordinators are hopeful for a steady turnout.

Leander Liberty Fest coordinator Christian Moore said he hopes that the novelty of this year's laser light show will draw just as many revelers to Crystal Falls Golf Club as years past. The city of Lakeway decided to shift focus from its annual patriotic fireworks bash to an old-timey block party with food, dancing and the band Duck Soup.

Here are some other ways to celebrate Independence Day this year, including a few with fireworks. (Events updated until print time; check ahead and @austin360.com — the ongoing drought could still affect some plans.)

— Michelle Cerulli



Cedar Park Fourth of July Celebration. 4 to 10:40 p.m. Monday. Live music, food, games, face-painting and other activities. Milburn Pool will be open from 1 to 8 p.m. (normal rates). Fireworks display begins at 9:15 p.m. Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park. Free. 401-5500, www.cedarpark
tx.us/cp/pr_events_fourth.aspx.

Fort Hood Freedom Fest. 1 to 10 p.m. Monday. Sadowski Field. Live music and entertainment, food, carnival rides, patriotic ceremony and fireworks. Shuttles available from Shoemaker and Ellison high schools every 20 minutes from 3 to 11 p.m. Photo identification required. Fireworks to begin at 9:30 p.m. Sadowski Field is located on Tank Destroyer Boulevard, in front of III Corps HQ. 254-286-5342, www.hoodmwr.com/freedomfest.htm.

Kyle fireworks. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Monday. Park near intersection of FM 1626 and Kohler's Crossing. www.cityofkyle.com.

Marble Falls Fourth of July Fun & Fireworks. 5 to 9:30 p.m. Monday. Food, live entertainment and more. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Lakeside Park, Marble Falls. Free. 830-613-0083, www.marblefalls.org.

Sertoma Georgetown 4th of July Celebration. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday. Includes food, children's activities, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, live entertainment and more. Parade begins at noon and fireworks at dark. San Gabriel Park, 1003 N. Austin Ave. Free. www.georgetownsertoma.org.



Alamo Drafthouse Ritz Quote-Along: ‘Team America: World Police.' 7 p.m. today. Screening with sparklers, cap guns, American flags, balloons, streamers and more. According to the Alamo's website, a "triumphant choral walk down the streets" will follow the screening, with mandatory singing. $12. 320 E. Sixth St. www.drafthouse.com/movies/quote-alongs_team_america/austin.

Barton Creek Resort & Spa 4th of July Weekend. 8212 Barton Club Drive. For members and guests of the resort and spa. Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the resort will celebrate the holiday weekend with poolside cookouts, live entertainment, a lobster boil, a dive-in movie night, s'mores and more. A fireworks video presentation will be shown on two large screens at the resort on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Call 329-4000 or go to www.bartoncreek.com/4thofjuly.aspx.

Bastrop Patriotic Festival. Friday evening will feature a "Stars and Stripes Family Night" showing of "The Music Man" at 7:30 p.m. in Fisherman Park, followed by dancing. Saturday's events kick off with the annual "Pet and Pal Parade," which begins at 10:30 a.m. Registration to enter the parade is at 9 a.m. at the courthouse. Cookies, lemonade and "best of" parade prizes will be awarded in front of the Opera House. Music provided by the Austin Symphonic Band in Fisherman's Park beginning at 6 p.m. No fireworks. For more information, visit www.bastropdba.com and www.bastropchamber.com.

City of Lakeway 4th of July Celebration. The city of Lakeway kicks off its Fourth of July celebration Monday with an 8:30 a.m. parade up Lakeway Drive. The Pageant of Flags with music and speeches begins at 10:30 a.m. The Swim Center at 3103 Lakeway Blvd. will be open from noon to 9 p.m. ($3 all day). From 5 to 9 p.m., an old-fashioned block party at the Swim Center Park will feature the band Duck Soup as well as dancing, food, laser tag and carnival rides for kids. Bring your own blanket and beer. Free parking at Serene Hills Elementary School and nearby streets. No fireworks this year. 314-7500, www.cityoflakeway.com.

Elgin Fourth of July Parade and Celebration. 10 a.m. Monday. Parade from Elgin City Hall, 310 N. Main St., to Veterans Memorial Park at Main and Depot streets. Patriotic program follows. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. DJ, food, face-painting, entertainment, magicians, old-time photo booth and barbecue near Southside Market and Barbeque, U.S. 290 and Texas 95. Free parking, free shuttle and free admission. 512-281-5724, www.elgintx.com.

Fourth of July Celebration at the Hill Country Galleria. 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Hill Country Galleria Amphitheater, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave. Entertainment includes live music by Rosie & the Ramblers and Johnny Austin as well as family activities, including face-painting, vendors and a bouncy house. Attendees will receive free swag bags and can enter to win a $500 gift card to the Hill Country Galleria. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket to sit on and their own water. Free patriotic beach balls and temporary tattoos will be available; glow toys and wands will be available for purchase. The previously scheduled firework show has been canceled. 263-0001, www.hillcountrygalleria.com.

Fredericksburg July 4th Weekend. 8 a.m. children's parade around the Marktplatz on Main Street on Monday. 10 a.m. parade honoring Korean War veterans down Main Street. 11:30 a.m. patriotic program with music at Marktplatz. 6 p.m. picnic, concert and fireworks have been canceled. 866-997-3600, www.visitfredericksburgtx.com.

Georgetown Reunion Ranch Family Fun Day. Sunday. Gates open at 4 p.m. Festivities will include swimming, miniature golf, zipline rides, face painting, covered wagon rides, paddleboat rides and more. Live music begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by a laser light show beginning at 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance ($20 for adults, $5 for kids age 3 and older) at www.ReunionRanch1.com, or by calling 515-6200. Day-of tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for kids. Kids younger than 3 get in free.

Independence Day 2011 at Lakeway Resort and Spa. An array of activities and events happening Friday through Monday for guests of the resort and spa at 101 Lakeway Drive, Austin. Cheek painting and hair wraps for kids Friday and Saturday and kids' video game theater Saturday and Sunday. There will be wine and cheese Friday night, a reggae pool night Saturday, and cookouts with live music on the lawn Sunday and Monday nights. Paid sailing trips will be available all four nights. For times and details, call 800-525-3929, or visit www.lakeway
resortandspa.com.

July Fourth Frontier Days Celebration and Parade. The city of Round Rock's parade begins at 10 a.m. Monday on Main Street in downtown Round Rock. The free festival will begin at noon in Old Settlers Park and will include a jalapeño pepper-eating contest, music, games, pony rides, arts and crafts, a re-enactment of the Sam Bass shootout and free watermelon at the Lakeview Pavilion. Skydivers and the mayor's address will start at 8 p.m. Live music from the Austin Symphonic Band begins at 8:30 p.m. "Iron Man 2" and "Despicable Me" will play at the Lakeview and Rabb pavilions in the park, beginning at 9:30 p.m. Fireworks moved to Christmas Family Night. 218-5540, www.roundrocktexas.gov.

Lago Vista 4th of July Celebration. 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Events include live music beginning at 9 a.m., a parade along Dawn Drive beginning at 10 a.m., silent auctions, vendors, various games, Little Miss & Mr. Contest, and We've Got Talent show during and after the parade. No fireworks this year. 267-4400, www.lagovistajuly4.org.

Leander Liberty Fest. 6 to 10 p.m. Monday. Live music, food and a laser show replacing fireworks this year. Shuttle service available at Leander High School, 3301 S. Bagdad Road. Crystal Falls Golf Club, 3400 Crystal Falls. Free. 528-9909, www.leandertx.org.

Pioneer Farms Independence Day Festival. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Family-focused festival of live music, food, horse-drawn wagon rides, historical re-enactments, kids' games, a ceremonial reading of the Declaration of Independence and a display of historical independence flags. Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive. Adults: $8, children: $6. Groups of 20 or more: $5 each. 837-1215, www.pioneerfarms.org.

Red, White 'n Buda July 4th Celebration. Children's parade from post office to Buda City Park (204 San Antonio Road), beginning at 9:30 a.m. Monday. Bring a picnic, blanket or lawn chair to City Park to enjoy free children's activities, magician and concessions from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. From 6 to 9:30 p.m., live music including Keith Kelso, Kevin Smith and the Trishas. Paid activities and concessions. No fireworks this year. 312-0084, www.ci.buda.tx.us.

Summerfest San Marcos Celebration. 5 to 11 p.m. Monday. Features a variety of family activities, live entertainment, a children's parade and food booths. No fireworks this year. Free. San Marcos Plaza Park, 202 N. CM Allen Parkway. 393-8400, www.summer
festsanmarcos.com.

Taylor's 4th of July Festival. Murphy Park, 1600 Veterans Drive. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Bring your own lawn chairs for live music, dancing, food, games, a jalapeño-eating contest and a carnival. The festival kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday. There will be a church service at 10 a.m. Sunday in the park and a parade beginning at 10 a.m. Monday. No fireworks. Free parking and admission. All activities will be held in Murphy Park. For more information, visit www.taylorchamber.org, or call 365-8485. (The Jaycees have canceled their usual fireworks show but will take part in this celebration.)

USA Bike Parade. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Inks Lake State Park, 3630 Park Road 4 West, Burnet. Bring your bike, and the Friends of Inks Lake State Park will decorate it for you to show off in the parade through the park. Also bring along a blanket and picnic with the park rangers under the shade. 793-4689.

VinoPalooza Wine Festival. 4 to 8 p.m. Monday. Sample Texas Hill Country Wines from five area wineries, plus food and music. Flat Creek Estate, on the North Shore of Lake Travis just west of Cedar Park (about 20 miles). Admission: $5 advance online tickets, $10 at the door. Food and drink tickets: $5 for five tickets (wine is one ticket per taste or five tickets per glass; picnic lunch is 10 tickets). No fireworks. 267-6310, www.FlatCreekEstate.com.

Volente Beach Waterpark. On Lake Travis, Volente Beach Waterpark will feature a DJ in the afternoon and band at night both Saturday and Sunday. Park will be open regular hours 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Guests can make a dinner reservation at the Shore Club Restaurant, and the beach bar will be open. The pools will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. 258-5110, www.shoreclubtx.com/water-park.php.

Wimberley July 4th Parade & Jubilee. Monday. 10 a.m. parade meandering through town on RM 12. Roads will close at 9 a.m. Jubilee immediately follows parade and will take place under the shade trees at Ozona Bank until 3 p.m. It will include family fun, food, music and entertainment. Free. Leading up to July 4th celebration is the annual three-day rodeo. Friday through Sunday, VFW arena. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., rodeo begins at 8 p.m. No fireworks this year. Adults: $15, children: $10 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online in advance for a discounted price. 847-2201, www.wimberley.org.



Some usual Fourth celebrations not happening in this year of the drought:

Johnson City July 4th Spangle Dangle. www.johnsoncity-texas.com.

Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival. www.cityof
pflugerville.com.



More in our critics' picks, Seven Nights, and in the music listings in this section.

Hayes Carll at Whitewater Amphitheater.The Austin signer/songwriter, who recently was nominated for a couple of Americana Music Awards, plays a free show Sunday. 11860 FM 306, New Braunfels. www.whitewaterrocks.com

Bob Schneider Fourth of July Festival. The sixth annual event. With Kurt Bodean and Wirefence. Doors at 6 p.m. Sunday, music starts at 7:30 p.m. $17 in advance, $20 at the door. 12225 W. U.S. 290. www.nuttybrown.com.

Willie Nelson's Picnic. Doors open at noon Monday with roughly 20 artists to perform. Billy Bob's Texas, Fort Worth Stockyards. Tickets are $30 in advance/$35 at the gate and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or Billy Bob's box office, 817-624-7117. www.billybobstexas.com/wnpicnic.

KTEX Freedom Beach Fest. South Padre Island. 8 p.m. Friday. Kevin Fowler and Eli Young Band will play on South Padre Island at Schlitterbahn. Tickets available online at www.trevinoproductions.net. More details at www.KTEX.com. Friday night fireworks will take place at 9 p.m. Annual fireworks display will go off Monday at 9:15 p.m., with best viewing between Palm and Red Snapper Streets. For more information, call 956-772-7873.

*  Story Contributed by: Michelle Cerulli