by Staff of North Dallas Gazette

The Star Spangled Fourth will take place on Friday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to midnight at Firewheel Town Center.

Garland's premiere 4th of July celebration event is the Star Spangled Fourth, which will feature Kool & the Gang on the main stage along with the usual food courts and fireworks. However, organizers are seeking volunteers to help bring off this community event.

Star Spangled Fourth has been scaled back quite a bit from a multi-day celebration to simply Friday, July 4th from 10 a.m. to midnight. The venue has changed as well; instead of downtown Garland, the city is partnering with the Firewheel Town Center. Organizers promise the fireworks display will be bigger and better, starting at 9:30 p.m. The patriotic songs will be simultaneously broadcast on KAAM Radio, 770AM. Another event highlight includes a Naturalization Ceremony for new U.S. citizens.

Volunteers are needed to assist with bounce houses and other activities in the children's area, the Rad Hatter hat-making feature, parking lot attendants, barricade attendants, food court, concert seating, volunteer support team and more. Various shifts are available between 10 a.m. and midnight.

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Bill Clifton at 972-205-3837, by email at bclifton@ci.garland.tx.us, or by fax at 972-205-3634. Students seeking to fulfill volunteer requirements are encouraged to sign up. Volunteers under 15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.