The Ultimate Guide To Have A Boomtastic East Texas 4th Of July

We will be celebrating the birthday of our great country Thursday. Many East Texas families will gather and celebrate the 4th of July with food, drink, and fireworks. The house will be full of guests, the lakes will be full of boats and the skies will be lit up after dark.

This 4th of July will not only be celebrated on Thursday but through the weekend too. Hopefully, you have Friday off so you can enjoy a long four-day weekend. If not, then hopefully you have the 4th off and can enjoy a shorter workweek.

Over the past couple of weeks, we've written about all kinds of things related to 4th of July activities and instead of having you search our app or website for all the information, I thought I'd make it easy and put it all in one handy guide for ya!

The Ultimate Guide For A Boomtastic East Texas 4th Of July:

Fireworks Sales
Fireworks Shows
Fireworks And Dogs
Fireworks And Veterans
Fireworks Safety
Boat Safety
NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE

If you want more in-depth information on any of these topics, click their bolded header below.

NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE

While it's listed last in the list above, it is the FIRST IN THIS LIST. NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE. There will be lots of beer and alcohol consumed during the 4th of July holiday. If you plan on drinking BE RESPONSIBLE and plan for a safe way home.

It's better to arrange a ride home and leave your vehicle behind than to drive after a few and get pulled over for being under the influence or get into an accident and injure yourself or possibly kill yourself or others.

Arranging a ride is much better and less costly in the long run.

Fireworks Sales

If approved by county commissioners, fireworks can be legally sold in a Texas county through licensed fireworks through 11:59 p.m. on July 4th. So if you run out on the big night, you can hit up a stand and buy more until midnight.

FIREWORK SHOWS

TYLER

July Fourth Celebration At Lindsey Park

Thursday, July 4th
Lindsey Park - Tyler

The free fireworks show is happening again in Tyler! The show will be at Lindsey Park, 12557 Spur 364 West. Gates at the park will open at 3 p.m. There will be live music, vendors, food trucks on site and activities for everyone, including:

Free mini-golf near the Kids Fun Zone from 5 to 8 p.m.
Find the Flag Hunt – Find a flag somewhere in the park and turn it in for a prize!
Stars and Stripes Parade– children can participate in a march around the park led by the Tyler Police Department. All participating children are asked to report near the Kids Fun Zone at 7 p.m.
Kids Fun Zone – backyard games and activities

Tyler Transit buses will also be available, running every 10 to 15 minutes to transport attendees to the park at no charge from the following locations:

Tyler Armed Forces Reserve Center, 13592 TX-31
Tyler Junior College West Campus, 1530 S SW Loop 323

The show will begin after dark (around 9 p.m.)

Celebrate America Independence Day Fireworks Show

Wednesday, July 3rd
Pleasant Hill Baptist Church - Tyler

Located at 13590 Hwy. 110 S (north of Grande Blvd.), this is a free event that will feature free hotdogs and watermelon (while supplies last) along with food vendors, live music an illusionist show, and fun for the family.
While this is a FREE event, organizers are asking you to bring some non-perishable canned food items that will be donated to area food banks.

LONGVIEW

4th of July Fireworks & Freedom Celebration

Thursday, July 4th
Longview Convention Complex - Longview

The City of Longview will host the 2024 Fireworks and Freedom Celebration on Thursday, July 4, featuring an outdoor, free-to-the-public concert, fireworks, and other activities including a car show, petting zoo, cornhole tournament, hot dog eating contest, trivia contest, princess meet-and-greet, and more.

BIG SANDY

America The Beautiful 4th Of July Parade & Fireworks Show

Thursday, July 4th
Big Sandy

The parade line-up will start at 8:00 p.m. on Wiley Boulevard and the parade will start at approximately 8:30 p.m. The parade will be followed by the fireworks show, which will start around 9:45 p.m.

CANTON

4th Of July Celebration

Thursday, July 4th
downtown Canton and First Monday Trade Days grounds

Join us for an unforgettable 4th of July celebration in Canton, Texas! Our festivities kick off with a special Time Capsule Dedication Ceremony at City Hall at 9:30 am. Following the dedication, head over to Downtown Canton for our fun-filled Watermelon Eating Contest at 10:00 am.

The highlight of the day, our annual 4th of July Parade, begins at 10:30 am. The parade route starts at the South Gate of First Monday Trade Days (across from Hall Chevrolet), travels towards downtown, and then turns south onto Buffalo St., concluding at Canton Junior High. Enjoy your 4th of July day and then come out for the 🎇 Firework Show happening after dark on the west side of the First Monday Grounds.

GILMER

East Texas Yamboree Fireworks Show

Wednesday, July 3rd
Yamboree Event Center - GILMER

Before the fireworks explode over Gilmer you'll be treated to an air show.

HAWKINS

Lake Hawkins Fireworks Show 2024

Thursday, July 4th
Lake Hawkins

This year’s fireworks show will happen Thursday evening, July 4th. Organized by the Love Lake Hawkins Association, one of the best fireworks shows in East Texas is launched from the Lake Hawkins dam and is paid for with sponsorships from local businesses.

NOTE: $10 entry fee (all ages) at Lake Hawkins RV Park on July 4th.

HENDERSON

Freedom Festival

Saturday, July 6th
Lake Forest Park - Henderson

Gates on the park will open at 5 p.m. and will feature live music, food vendors and the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

KILGORE

Fourth Of July Extravaganza

Thursday, July 4th
Kilgore City Park - Kilgore

This 4th of July live music will fill the area of the World's Richest Acre! There will be food vendors and entertainment before the big fireworks show begins. Activities begin in the park at 5:30 p.m.

LUFKIN

July 4th Celebration

Thursday, July 4th
Ellen Trout Zoo - Lufkin

Come out to the zoo, free admission on the 4th along with live music, delicious food, and artisanal crafts from local vendors. There will be kid's activities galore and plenty of animals to see, there's something exciting for all ages. After dark, grab your seat and get ready to experience a fireworks display as big as Texas.

NACOGDOCHES

Freedom Fest

Thursday, July 4th
Festival Park - Nacogdoches

There will be games, contests, food trucks and more activities for the entire family.

PALESTINE

Independence Day Celebration

Wednesday, July 3rd
A.M. Story Intermediate School - Palestine

Bring your family and friends and don't forget the lawn chairs! This event is free and open to the public. Food Trucks on site.

RUSK

Fourth Of July Celebration

Thursday, July 4th
Hwy 110 - Rusk

Fireworks, food, water activities, music and it's all free!

Fireworks And Your Pets

Wild animals and your pets are not accustomed to hearing the loud deep booms and the high shrills that are produced by fireworks. Lots of pets suffer from anxiety during this time of the year. There are some steps that you can take to help minimize that anxiety.

Fireworks And Veterans

It's something thats never crossed my mind until a co-worker brought it up one day, veterans who are affected by PTSD can feel the stress of the 4th of July holiday. The loudness and unexpectedness of fireworks could bring up some traumatic memories, especially for combat veterans. If you have a veteran neighbor, contact them to let them know your fireworks plans.

Fireworks Safety

Fireworks are explosives and they can and will cause damage. Damage not only to property but bodily damage too. NEVER hold fireworks after they are lit. Light them and then get away and let them do their thing. You'll want to make sure you have launched fireworks from a location that isn't too dry, have a water source nearby in case of a fire and we aware of how windy it. Embers from the fireworks can and do start fires quite a ways away from where it was launched.

Boat Safety

While out on the water enjoying the 4th of July weekend, make sure there are plenty of life jackets for every person on board including your pet. It's best to always wear a life jacket while on the water, but having it easily accessible in case of emergency is extremely important.

Just like driving a vehicle - drinking and boating is against the law and you could go to jail and receive a DUI.

It is going to be another hot one this July 4th. Stay hydrated, wear that sunscreen, plan ahead, and make one trip to the grocery store and stop by that roadside fireworks stand and pick up some celebratory fireworks and hopefully help out a youth group or church organization through their fireworks sales.

Have a Happy and Safe 4th Of July!

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Now that I am much older, I have overcome my most of fears and enjoy viewing fireworks shoes with my family and friends. Prior to the main event, I light up sparklers and other, smaller fireworks with them to get excited for the rest of the evening's festivities.

I recently looked back at some photos and videos from past 4th of July celebrations that I've experienced. So many great memories were created during these times.

Here are some of the "must-have" fireworks we always had on hand during the 4th of July parties.

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