Denton County has plenty of local events for the public to gather and celebrate Independence Day.
Whether in Denton, Lake Dallas or elsewhere in the county, there’s plenty of entertainment, food and fireworks for everyone.
In Denton, events begin with the 14th annual Liberty Run, a 5K run and 1-mile fun walk at the North Lakes Recreation Center, 2001 W. Windsor Drive.
The celebration will continue downtown at 9 a.m. with the Yankee Doodle Parade, followed by the annual Fourth of July Jubilee at the Civic Center and Quakertown Park, 321 E. McKinney St. When the parade ends at City Hall at 9:30 a.m., the flag ceremony and live entertainment will begin. Then at 10 a.m., the free children’s carnival will begin with activities inside and outside the Civic Center.
“We’ve tried to mix it up a little bit with the Jubilee,” said Maria Denison with the city of Denton Parks and Recreation department. “We added more larger family games, kind of old-fashion games … potato-sack race, three-legged races, egg-and-spoon races, a whipped cream-eating contest. We’re hoping to get at least 500 families … close to a thousand people out for the Jubilee.”
For fireworks in Denton, people can venture to the University of North Texas’ Fouts Field. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and live music will begin an hour later, followed by a fireworks show. The event is free but donations will be accepted.
Down the road in Lake Dallas, the Lake Cities have come together to put on an event filled with parades, music and games for the public. Events begin with the Bill Utter Ford Lake Cities parade from the Lake Dallas’ City Park towards Main Street at 9 a.m.
Lake Dallas’ City Park will host live music throughout the day from bands such as Sense of Direction, CrossPointe Band with Joel Vanderveer, Civil Sound and the 6th annual Lake Cities Idol competition along with other traditional favorites such as the vendor market, apple pie bake-off and watermelon-eating contests, a large water-filled play venue for the children and food.
Julie Chapman, community relations spokesperson for Lake Dallas, said the city typically sees about 5,000 people attending the celebrations.
Eleven Hundred Springs returns this year as the event’s headline evening entertainment and is scheduled to take the stage at 7 p.m. The fireworks are set to begin at 9:15 p.m.
BJ LEWIS can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is blewis@dentonrc.com.
ALSO IN THE AREA
* Wednesday — Liberty by the Lake at Lewisville Lake’s Stewart Creek Park in The Colony features a parade, a BMX and skateboarding stunt show, live music and a fireworks show.
* Saturday — A fireworks show is planned at dark at Ray Roberts Lake Marina, 1399 Marina Circle in Sanger.s
