Freedom will not only ring in Waco celebrations of Independence Day, but sing, bang, sizzle, chat, splash, cheer and more.
Patriotic music and parades, music and musicals, fireworks and fun — Waco-area residents have more than a few ways to spend their Fourth of July.
Fireworks, parades, family and outdoor activities, general fun — Waco-area residents have multiple ways to celebrate Independence Day on Thursday.
Thousands will cap their festivities at Waco’s annual Fourth on the Brazos at McLane Stadium’s Touchdown Alley.
Headlining the musical entertainment at approximately 7:30 p.m. is rock singer Steve Augeri and his band.
Augeri followed Steve Perry as lead vocalist for famed rock band Journey from 1998 to 2006, a period that spanned the albums “Arrival” and “Generations” as well as the hit single “Remember Me” on the “Armageddon” movie soundtrack.
Steve Augeri - Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) | Rewind 2013 | Festivo // via FestivoTV on YouTube
Following Augeri’s set, the Waco Community Band will perform a medley of patriotic numbers, starting at 9:10 p.m. and leading into the H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza at 9:15 p.m.
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The show’s fireworks will be shot off above the Brazos River, roughly between Touchdown Alley and the Ferrell Center. KWTX-TV, Channel 10, will broadcast the show and livestream on its Facebook page as well.
Nineteen food trucks at Touchdown Alley will sell food and drink during Fourth on the Brazos. The first aid tent will have a water station.
Those attending may bring coolers, lawn chairs and blankets, but glass containers, pets, grills and large tents are prohibited. Bags and purses must be clear.
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Cascading plumes of color punctuate the skies above McLane Stadium in the annual Fourth on the Brazos fireworks show last year.
Around the area
Other Fourth celebrations earlier in the day include annual parades in Woodway and Waco’s Castle Heights neighborhood.
The Woodway parade, sponsored by the Woodway Public Safety Department, starts at 9 a.m. Thursday at 405 Estates Drive with free balloons and snow cones for kids.
The Castle Heights parade begins at 10 a.m. in the neighborhood circle.
Crawford’s Independence Day celebration starts with a 10 a.m. parade beginning at Crawford Elementary School followed by activities, music and games at Tonkawa Falls City Park from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Admission is $5 with proceeds benefiting the Crawford Community Historical Society.
Activities resume at 7 p.m. with fireworks at dusk.
The West Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual fireworks show at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2547 Jerry Mashek Drive. Gates open at 7 p.m. with free admission.
For those looking for family activities on the Fourth that aren’t necessarily patriotic, the Cameron Park Zoo, Waco Mammoth National Monument and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum will be open for their regular hours Thursday.
Waco’s Youth Festival Stage theater company also offers a 10 a.m. performance of its children’s musical “James and the Giant Peach” at McLennan Community College’s Ball Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $25, $22 and $15 with a $60 family four-pack, available online at wacocivictheatre.com.