Fourth of July celebrations around the area

There are plenty of events in Gonzales County and its surrounding areas for those that are looking to celebrate Independence Day weekend with a bang. 

In Gonzales, the Main Street Concert Series has its final show of the year on July 4. The event will feature a children’s patriotic parade, a performance by the Texas Unlimited Band and a star-spangled firework spectacular. 

The parade, put on by the Gonzales VFW Post 4817 and Auxiliary, features children riding bikes, trikes or “anything you want” decorated in red, white and blue. Kids aged 12 and under can register to win a bicycle at the VFW tent. The group will be giving away six total bikes broken down by age and gender. Parade line up is at 6:15 p.m. and the parade begins at 6:30 p.m.

Texas Unlimited Band, the one band scheduled for this week of the Concert Series, is set to take the stage at 7 p.m. The variety band specializes in playing “anything that gets you on the dance floor.”

The event will also feature two raffle drawings from The Gonzales Knights of Columbus Council 5090 and Gonzales County Veterans Memorial Association respectively. The Knights of Columbus are holding a gun raffle drawing. Tickets are $20 and only 1,000 tickets will be sold. Tickets are available for purchase at the Knights of Columbus’ Concert Series beer tent. 

The Veterans Memorial will be giving away two quilts. Tickets can be purchased from the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce, Guadalupe Valley Veterinary Clinic or the Veterans Memorial Association booth at the Concert Series. All proceeds raised will go to the veterans Memorial building fund. 

The Gonzales Main Street Firework Specular will light up the night sky at 9:15 p.m. A specially designed firework show has been designed by Mr. B Fireworks and will launch from Independence Park. For safety reasons, the brickyard area at Independence Park will be closed on the evening of July 3 and reopen of July 5. 

According to Main Street, the best place to view the show from downtown is from the western side of Confederate Square and on Texas Heroes Square. Downtown streets, with the exception of a portion of St. George Street and St. Paul Street, will not be closed. For any questions regarding the event, please contact Barbara Friedrich, Gonzales Main Street Administrator, at 830-672-2815.  

The Waelder New Millennium Lions Club is hosting its 34th annual Fourth of July Big Bang Celebration at Waelder City Park. The event begins at 5 p.m. and fireworks start after sundown. Food and drinks will be served at the event. All proceeds raised will go toward Waelder New Millennium Lions Club scholarship and community projects such as purchasing fireworks for next year’s event. 

Though technically on July 5 and 6, Shiner Half Moon Holidays and BBQ Cook Off has plenty of Fourth of July flair. Festivities kick off Friday, July 5 at 3 p.m. at Green Dickson Park with various vendors and free music at the Main Pavilion from Collin Kleypas and Julianna Rankin. The fun continues with music from The Emotions beginning at 7 p.m. and cook off judging. Award will be given for steak and margaritas at 9:30 p.m. Music from 7 p.m. forward is $15 for minors, 21 and up are free. 

Day two of the festival begins at 7:30 a.m. with the Half Moon 5K marathon followed by a parade through downtown Shiner at 10 a.m. Marketplace and beer garden open at noon. Free music for the day includes performances from the Shiner Hobo Band, Los Kolaches and Mama Tried Band.  From 7 p.m. forward, a $15 general admission fee will be charged to enter the festival grounds. Tejas Brothers will perform at 7 p.m. until the Spoetzl Brewery Fireworks Spectacular at 9:20 p.m. The festival closes with a performance from “the ultimate Journey cover band” Departure ATX at 10 p.m. For more information go to www.shinerhalfmoon.com or call the Shiner Chamber of Commerce 361-594-4180.