Things to Do

Make Plans Now to Have a Blast This 4th of July

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Tony Maples Photography

 

There are some amazing 4th of July celebrations planned all throughout the Texas Hill Country. Austin and San Antonio will have celebrations all throughout the city, but smaller cities and towns within the Hill Country will also offer festivities that will meet or exceed your expectations of 4th of July fun. Check out these events and start making your plans now to celebrate the day our great nation won their independence. From BBQs to parades to fireworks, you are guaranteed to have a blast!

Friday, July 1, 2016

Aqua Boom Fourth of JulyPhoto: Kingsland Chamber of Commerce

Aqua Boom, BBQ & Friday Night Steak Cook-Off – Bar-B-Que Cook-Off This can’t-miss annual event is sure to knock your socks off over the Fourth of July weekend with a children’s parade, aqua boom land parade, arts and crafts vendors, cow’ographers Wild West Show, Reed Helicopter rides, barbeque and chili cook-off, patriotic dinner and fish fry, street dance, poker run, horseshoe pitch and washer toss, obstacle course race, raft race, rubber duckie race, boat parade, live music. Whew! That’s a lot of down home family fun! Events are scheduled all over town so be sure to check out Kingland’s Aquaboom Schedule of Events to plan your weekend. Fireworks will be held on Monday, July 4, 2016 at the 2900 River Bridge. Free. July 1 – 4, 2016. Kingsland, Texas. kingslandaquaboom.org

Brady July Jubilee Friday night at 7 p.m. watch the Miss Heart of Texas Pageant and see the next Miss Heart of Texas be crowned. On Saturday at 10 a.m., celebrate our country’s independence with a July 4th Parade in downtown Brady. A BBQ Luncheon at the First United Methodist Church will curb your craving for Texas BBQ from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Then, get down and dirty at the Mud Volleyball Tournament being held at Brady Lake Park. Dance the night away at 8 p.m. Free. July 1 –  2, 2016. Various venues, Brady, Texas. bradytx.com

VFW Rodeo Get ready for some mutton bustin’, food, and fun at the “Best CPRA Rodeo of the Year” at the Wimberley VFW Rodeo over Fourth of July weekend. Not to mention the cowboys, bulls, and rodeo clowns! Fireworks will be held on Sunday, July 3, 2016. Free. July 1 – 3, 2016. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Mutton bustin’ starts at 7 p.m. and the rodeo starts at 8 p.m. Wimberley Valley Veterans Park, Jacobs Well Rd (CR 182), Wimberley, Texas. wimberley.org

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Twin Sisters Dance HallPhoto: Twin Sisters Historic Dance Hall

Blanco County Independence Weekend Celebration Party from morning to night in Blanco, beginning with a chuck wagon breakfast at 9 a.m. After you have filled your belly, cheer on the parade, which starts at the Buggy Barn, heads down to Courthouse Square and then back. Head to the Town Square for fun family activities, such as cowboy poetry, buggy rids, and a street dance. Then, dance your way down to Twin Sisters’ Dance Hall for a dance that will have you boogying late into the evening. Free. Starts at 9 a.m. Parade at 1915 US 281 North; dance at 6720 US 281 S, six miles south of Blanco; Town Square activities at the Old Courthouse, Blanco, Texas. buggybarnpinemooretown.com; blancochamber.com; twinsistersdancehall.com  

Comfort 4th of July Celebration Kick off your Fourth of July celebrations with a parade, which begins at 10 a.m. and ends in the park with BBQ and fun activities until 2 p.m. Afterwards, enjoy live entertainment, shopping, dining, and raffles for cash prizes. Free. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Historic Downtown & Comfort Park, Comfort, Texas. 830-995-3131. comfort-texas.com

Lago Vista July 4th Celebration Red, white & you! A day full of activities celebrating our nation’s independence, including a community wide parade, 5K fun run, talent contest, silent auction, classic car show, fireworks and a whole lot more! There will be a free park and ride service from various locations from 11:15 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. No lawn chairs, cooking gear, or large coolers will be allowed on the buses. Free. 10 a.m. Bar K Recreational Park, Lago Vista, Texas. lagovistajuly4.org

Monday, July 4, 2016 – Independence Day

Fourth of JulyPhoto: Digital Journal

Fourth Fest Bring your lawn chair, cooler, and a picnic. Pick your spot then watch as the parade kicks off the day’s events. There will be a washer pitching tournament at 2:30 p.m., live music by local favorites Shades Of Blue from 7 – 9 p.m., and fireworks at 9 p.m. Please pack out your garbage. Free. 10 a.m. Blanco County Fairgrounds, Johnson City, Texas. 830-868-7684. johnsoncitytexaschamber.com

Fourth on the River Live concert. Beer garden. Fireworks display. Need we say more? Free. Opens at noon. Louise Hays Park, Downtown, on TX 16 & TX 98 at the bridge, Kerrville, Texas. 830-792-3535. kerrvilles4th.org

Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Festival Enjoy live music all evening, shop 75+ art vendors, enjoy festival food and barbecue (which can be delivered right to your seat), cool off in the kid’s water zone, and enjoy fair rides & games! Free face painting will be available for the kiddos. End the day with the best firework show in Central Texas! Free. 6:30 p.m. 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave, Texas. hillcountrygalleria.com 

Independence Day Parade Join the fun for an old fashioned July 4th celebration and parade complete with horses, stagecoach, bands, clowns, and a wide variety of floats. Don’t miss this patriotic,  flag-waving red, white and blue celebration of America’s birthday. Free. 10 a.m. Cypress Creek Church Grounds, at South River, Wimberley, Texas. 512-847-2201. wimberley.org

July 4th at the Farm Celebrate the 4th of July the old fashioned way at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm. Free. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. LBJ State Park & Historic Site, at 199 Park Rd 52, Stonewall, Texas. 830-644-2252. tpwd.state.tx.us

Buda ParadePhoto: Tour Texas

Red, White n’ Buda This Fourth of July celebration will be all about the kids! The party starts with a children’s parade, which is free and no registration is required. Children line up in the parking lot across from Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant beginning at 9 a.m. with their decorated bikes, wagons, and scooters. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. down Main Street to Buda City Park. Free children’s activities will be held from 9:30a to 11:30a at the park. There will be a bounce house, water slide, and magician. The Buda Chamber of Commerce will be selling hot dogs. Yum! The fireworks show at City Park area at 9:30 p.m. Free. 9 a.m. City Park, Buda, Texas. 512-295-7170. ci.buda.tx.us

Rock’n Riverfest Hold on to your britches because Llano is fixin’ to rock your world on the Fourth of July! There will be a BBQ cook-off, jet ski races, rat rod cars, bouncy houses and water rides, a Yeti raffle, beach games, kayak rentals, and a brilliant fireworks show over the water. Free. 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Badu Park, 300 Legion Dr, Llano, Texas. 325-247-5354. llanochamber.org

Summerfest Bring the whole family out for a children’s costume contest and patriotic parade, live music, local vendors, food, various children’s activities, and a spectacular fireworks display. Free. 6 – 10 p.m. San Marcos Plaza Park, 401 E Hopkins, San Marcos, Texas. 512-393-8400. summerfestsmtx.com