As July 4th approaches, several area events are on tap for Erath County citizens to enjoy Independence Day this year.
In Stephenville, there will be the annual Fourth of July Celebration with a parade, concert and fireworks set for Tuesday, July 4.
For those interested in joining the parade, the deadline is Friday, June 30 and there is no fee to enter.
The parade will begin at 9 a.m. and begin at the South entrance of the park, turn North on Graham, then turn West on Washington. The parade will end at Harbin and Washington.
A wide variety of entries are typically seen at the parade and the event lasts quite a while in patriotic splendor as numerous entries participate.
There will be events throughout the day at the Stephenville city park. Lawnmower races will kick off at 3 p.m. with registration at 1 p.m. and practice at 2 p.m.
Free concerts will be held at Birdsong Amphitheater at City Park with Max and Heather Stalling from 6-6:55 p.m., Lee Roy Parnell from 7:10-8:20 p.m. and Larry Joe Taylor from 8:35-9:40 p.m.
Fireworks will begin at dark, around 9:45 p.m.
Hamilton will also have a couple of July 4th events on Independence Day.
There will be an Independence Day Celebration with the reading of the Declaration of Independence, patriotic songs, children’s choir, free flags for kids and a color guard.
The free event will be held at 9 a.m. July 4 on the Hamilton County courthouse steps.
Everyone is encouraged to bring their own chairs.
The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a 4th of July event with food, drinks, music and fireworks starting at 4 p.m. at Pecan Creek Park.
The free event will include food by the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department and music by Jacob Chapman, Jerrod Hicks and Race Ricketts.
For those who don’t want to wait until Tuesday, there are a couple of July 4th events this weekend.
The Huckabay Volunteer Fire Department will host its Star Spangled Celebration from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 2 with fireworks to follow. There will be hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, tea, water, lemonade, water slide and live music. Nathan Barker and Friends will perform from 5-6:30 p.m. and Tell Runyan Band will perform from 7-9 p.m.
Donations will be accepted all day. It is a BYOC event (Bring your own chair). The American Bravery Foundation, a new nonprofit being formed to benefit veterans, is hosting a donation only event Saturday, July 1 with music and fireworks. Music starts at 8 p.m. and fireworks start at dark.
To get to the event from FM 8, turn on CR 417 and go 3.3 miles to CR 416. From FM 2303 turn on CR 417 and go 1.2 miles to CR 416. Parking is 0.2 miles down CR 416 on the left.