Fireworks displays
Temple
nA fireworks show is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. on July 4 at the H–E–B All–American Family Fun Fest. Activities will last from 2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Miller Park at 1919 N. 1st St.
Parking becomes a problem very fast, so plan to arrive early.
Killeen/Fort Hood
nA 9:30 p.m. fireworks show will cap off the annual Fort Hood Freedom Fest celebration on July 4 at Hood Stadium.
While the event is open to
the public please note that in order to enter the base with a vehicle, non-military visitors must obtain a temporary pass in advance at the Visitor Control Center located at the Main Gate. All passengers 18 or older will need to be added to the pass. They will need to provide ID or a social security number. Off-post shuttle bus service will run every 20 minutes from 3-11 p.m. from Killeen High School, Ellison High School and Central Texas College.
Milam County
nThe annual fireworks display sponsored by Citizens National Bank for Milam County will start at 9:15 p.m. Monday in Rockdale at Rockdale Fair Park. The event will feature live country western swing music by Colver and Rachel Rorroll with Back at the Ranch beginning at 7:30.
Gatesville
nThere will be a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Wednesday with viewing from the parking lot next to McKamie Stadium.
Waco
nThe Fourth on the Brazos celebration will begin at 7 p.m. in Indian Spring Park and features a firework show at 10 p.m.
Shows/Food
Temple
nThere will be a God and Country Concert starting at 6:30 p.m. at Miller Park with Wild Horses and Brian Gowan.
Belton
nThe first event for Belton’s Fourth of July festivities is the Kick-Off Barbecue at Yettie Polk Park from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will feature Fred Fuller, the Singing Cowboy, from Bell County Jamboree, a high noon shoot out and food. Lunch tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children.
nWild Horses will perform after the PRCA Rodeo in Belton on July 7. Admission is free with a rodeo ticket stub or $5 without.
Salado
nThe Salado Historical Society will hold a fourth of July celebration at 6:30 p.m., July 4 in Pace Park along Salado Creek.
Fried chicken will be provided free to the public and the Salado Community Chorus will provide entertainment.
Killeen/Fort Hood
nThe Fort Hood Freedom Fest will feature displays of military vehicles and equipment and demonstrations. Demonstrations will include the 1st Cavalry Division horse detachment, military police dogs, a parachute jump team and the Pro-Riders motorcycle, bicycle, and skateboard stunt show.
There is an Air Force fly-over scheduled for 2 p.m. and the 4th Infantry Division band will perform at 6:25p.m. and 8:40 p.m. The Freedom Fest lasts from 12:45-10 p.m. in Hood Stadium. *See the note above about entrance requirements.
Gatesville
n As part of Gatesville’s “Star Spangled Day,” on Wednesday there will be a concert in the parking lot next to McKamie Stadium.
Lee Tyler Williams & Rhythm Creek Band performs at 7:00 p.m. and Ryan Turner takes the stage at 8:15 p.m.
Parades
Belton
nOver 30,000 spectators will line the streets of downtown Belton at 10 a.m. Wednesday for the Fourth of July Parade, which made its first appearance in 1850. There will be a variety of floats, decorated vehicles, bicycles, antique cars, local celebrities and marching bands. The parade begins on Main Street, loops through downtown and comes to completion on 4th Avenue.
Milam County
nThe Rockdale Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6525 parade will begin at 7 p.m. in the downtown Rockdale area and move on to Fair Park where crowds will gather for the Citizens National Bank of Milam County’s elaborate fireworks display at dusk.
Milano
nMilano will host its annual Independence Day Parade at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. The parade will be marching to the theme of “Stars and Stripes.” It will begin at the Charlie Martin City Park and go to the old bank building in downtown Milano. Military personnel will be parade marshals.
Gatesville
nThe Fourth of July parade begins at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The route starts at 22nd Street, and proceeds west on Main Street to 6th Street.
The city of Milano will celebrate Independence Day with a 10 a.m. parade Wednesday, July 4. The parade begins at the Charlie Martin Memorial Park and continues to the downtown area.
Belton PRCA Rodeo
nThe Belton July 4th Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo starts at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Bell County Expo Center and will last for the next three nights starting at 7 p.m. It has been an Independence Day tradition since 1924 and the community is invited to put on boots and cowboy hats and head down to the Bell County Expo Center to see the 2005 and 2006 Wrangler National Finals Bucking Bull of the year, Lucky Strike, from Legendary Stock Contractor David Bailey from Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma.
Children 8 and under are invited to enter the July 5 Stickhorse Grand Entry and Competition to compete for the title of Stickhorse Cowgirl and Cowboy.
Friday July 6 is Military Appreciation Night and all active military members will get in to the Rodeo free of charge. The 1st Cavalry from Ft. Hood will give a pre-show performance of their amazing Horse Detachment.
Saturday night at the rodeo is “Bullapalooza,” all night bull riding and Junior Bullriding.
The fan favorite mutton bustin’ competition, featuring children ages 4-7, takes place every night.
The Western Gift Show will last from 6 p.m. to the end of the rodeo each night.
Miscellaneous
Belton
nThe festival on Nolan Creek begins at noon on July 4 in Yettie Polk Park.
nA patriotic program will be held on July 4 at 9 a.m. on the North steps of the Bell County Courthouse.
nAlso coinciding with the PRCA rodeo is the Crabtree Amusements Carnival at the Bell County Expo Center, running from 10 a.m. until midnight each night of the rodeo.
Temple
nThe Senior Fellowship Center will present “Firecracker Frolics” for senior adults from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Activities will include a hotdog and watermelon lunch, patriotic sing-a-long and a variety of games including horseshoes and washers.
Killeen/Fort Hood
nThe Mayborn Planetarium and Space Theater will present a special patriotic laser show at 6 p.m. on July 4. “Laser Spirit” features a variety of artists, and is one of three shows scheduled at the planetarium on the campus of Central Texas College. Each show costs $3.
