What’s your favorite color this time of year? Red, white and blue of course and there are a few cities around the area that are more than happy to make sure your color scheme does not disappoint.
One local fireworks display is the City of Addison’s Kaboom Town and folks there say the city’s fireworks show has been named by some as one of the top shows in the country.
Going on its 31st year, Addison Kaboom Town! is traditionally held each year on July 3 with about 500,000 people in attendance. Ground zero is Addison Circle Park where the festivities take place, but organizers say that many folks prefer to watch the big celebration at watch parties at one of Addison’s 180 restaurants.
Chad Stanley, who creates the show for PyroShows of Texas, has several insights into new features and highlights for this year’s show.
“We were thrilled to be able to add to the overall shell count at this year’s Kaboom Town,” Stanley said. “The finale will be much larger.”
Stanley is also introducing Ghost shells to the lineup, meaning shells that break from one side to the other in a wave. The Ghost shells join thousands of three to eight-inch shells, including go-getters, diamond screamers, stained glass shells, hearts, smiley faces and more. His personal favorite part in the show is a 45-second scene featuring glittering silver willow crossettes set to the song “Skyfall.”
“Addison is only 4.4 square miles, but is home to more than 180 restaurants and 22 hotels,” Addison Mayor Todd Meier says. “An event the size and scale of Addison Kaboom Town! lends itself perfectly to watch parties at local restaurants and is an ideal reason to stay in an Addison hotel. For Addison residents, the event is a cherished opportunity to host guests in their homes for private watch parties, because there is really not a bad seat in the entire town.”
The fireworks show is really just the part of the overall fun day in Addison though, fans of comedy can visit Addison Improv to enjoy Lil Duval, history lovers will enjoy getting close up and personal with amazing historic warbirds from Cavanaugh Flight Museum. In fact, many of the warbirds will be flying in the Addison Airport Airshow, which precedes the fireworks.
The fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. in Addison Circle Park, but the gates open at 4:00 p.m. until midnight.
A few other Independence Day Celebrations
If you didn’t get enough fireworks on July 3 then head over to the City of Duncanville’s Independence Day Celebration on July 4 and start the day with a parade. The theme of this year's Lions Club parade is “Red, White, and We Serve” and the route will begin on Wheatland Road heading toward Main Street. For the evening’s fireworks gates open at Armstrong Park at 6:00 p.m. and the show begins at 9:30 p.m. Expect food and fun during the evening from bounces houses to local vendors and while admission is free you need a wristband to enter.
The City of Grand Prairie’s Fourth of July Celebration begins early on July 2 with the Parade of Lights at Loyd Park beginning at 9:00 p.m. Prizes will be given out for the best-decorated vehicle and best decorated campsite. On July 3 and 4 the Lone Stars & Stripes Celebration officially begins at Lone Star Park where a world-class fireworks display will be choreographed to music beginning at 10:00 p.m. While you are waiting, the gates open at the park at 3:00 p.m. and the horse racing begins at 5:00 p.m. A concert throughout the day from Vegas Stars will at the Courtyard of Champions stage between races from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Still not sure where to celebrate, well there is always Dallas’ big event 2016 Fair Park Fourth on July 4 at Fair Park and it’s free. The fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m. and if you really want to start the day right you can take park in the Dallas 7/4 race that morning. The midway will be open, the Swan Boats are waiting and the Texas Star Ferris Wheel beckons. So check out the live music and local vendors and enjoy the red, white and blue.