Posted: Wed, 3 Jul 2013 07:44 AM - 23,666 Readers

By: Marques G. Harper

Lago Vista resident Ann Murrow is busy readying the final details for the city's annual Fourth of July festivities on the north shore of Lake Travis.

Last year, days before Fourth of July, the Lago Vista 4th of July Council Inc., which oversees the Independence Day festivities in the city, canceled most of the holiday events because of safety issues related to drought conditions.

The water level is still low and conditions are still dry at Lake Travis, causing some communities and venues to cancel fireworks displays this year. But fireworks are expected to light up the night sky in Lago Vista on Wednesday.

"It's the biggest event on our side of the lake," said Murrow, who has lived in the city for 36 years.

The city's festivities include the Firecracker 5k Run, the We've Got Talent show and the Little Mr./Mrs. Lago Vista Contest. The annual parade, including floats and a roller skate performance, will start at 10 a.m. on Dawn Drive. Activities will continue at 11:30 a.m. at Bar-K Park, including musical performances before the fireworks display, which begins after dusk. Events are posted on the council's website, lagovistajuly4.org.

Also on the council's website, there will be an online auction of 275 items through Sunday night, and those same items will be part of three auctions on Wednesday at Bar-K Park.

Murrow, president of the Lago Vista 4th of July Council, said the budget for this year's Fourth of July events is $25,000. The City of Lago Vista gave $2,000 as well as in-kind donations, the Lago Vista Women's Club gave $1,000 and ExxonMobil gave $500.

The council has been accepting contributions on its website to pay for the fireworks display and has reached about half of its goal, Murrow said.

"We're doing a lot of praying," she said.

Other celebrations scheduled for Wednesday in Lake Travis communities include:

• Carlos'n Charlie's at Emerald Point Marina, 5973 Hiline Road will have a celebration from 8:30 to 10 p.m. featuring music by LC Rocks. There won't be a fireworks display. Admission is free.
  
  
• The Briarcliff Property Owners Association will hold its 15th annual Fourth of July parade at 10 a.m. with a lineup of decorated dogs, golf carts and bikes. The Pedernales Fire Department will lead the parade, which will start at the corner of Briarcliff and Sinclair drives, followed by a picnic at 11 a.m. in Briarcliff Park with hot dogs and a water slide for children.
  
  
• Lakeway will hold its 37th annual Fourth of July parade, but there won't be fireworks because of the continuing dry conditions. The Heart of America parade, including floats and bands, begins at 8:30 a.m. on Lakeway Drive from the Live Oak Golf Course to the Lakeway Activity Center, followed by a pageant of flags at 10:30 a.m. at the activity center with patriotic music, a keynote address from grand marshals Mike and Shelly Mendieta and parade awards.
  
  
• The city's swim center will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and charge a $3 fee. Evening activities start at 7 p.m. adjacent to the center with a performance by the band Duck Soup, dancing, children's games and food available for purchase.
  
  
• The Point Venture Property Owners Association will have a celebration and parade for residents and neighboring communities starting at 10:30 a.m. at the POA complex, 555 Venture Blvd. South. Food and children's activities will follow.
  
  
• The Shore Club Volente Beach at 16107 FM 2769 will host a fireworks display at dusk.

*  Story Contributed by: Marques G. Harper