UPDATED with another photo gallery: Celebrating Fourth of July in Dallas-Fort Worth

by PegNews wire

Notes from some Pegasus News Fourth of July observances:

Alex Bentley: In the Bentley household, this Fourth of July was spent in perhaps the most relaxing way possible – luxuriating in the oasis of a just-purchased top-of-the-line baby pool (for adults). With tree cover for virtually our entire backyard and cool water to swim in, the 100-degree temperature was no match for us.

Since moving to Plano, my wife and I have been Fourth of July vagabonds, not observing any strict tradition. However, in doing so, we have inadvertently created our own tradition – fireworks chasing. Being just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the borders of Parker and Murphy and Plano’s fireworks display at Oak Point Park, we are in perfect position to catch glimpses of shows in all three cities.

Not wanting to get stuck in traffic, we stayed in our neighborhood, stumbling upon the perfect viewing spot just down the street for Plano’s show. Despite being at least a mile away from the launch site, our angle was so great that we enjoyed the show just as much as if we were right under it. Once that show ended, it was time for the real fun to begin. Seeing bursts of light coming from the east, we made a beeline in that direction to try and catch at least the tail end of the shows in Parker and Murphy.

Finally finding another good stopping point, we got much more than we bargained for with Parker’s show at Southfork Ranch. It was perhaps one of the longest fireworks displays I’ve ever seen, lasting for at least another 25 minutes after we arrived. If only St. Paul and Lucas would join the party, fireworks chasing could have continued all night long.

Teresa Gubbins: The place: One well-appointed back yard in Rockwall. The event: Fourth of July cookout.

The keg was tapped at about 3 p.m., and the BBQ Grillware was fired up at 4:30 p.m. By 5 p.m., grill daddy David Allison had laid down a row of nicely-seasoned hamburger patties and extra-thick dogs. Guests brought Asian slaw, a crockpot of baked beans, pinwheel sandwiches, guacamole with chips, seven-layer dip, little bitty hot dogs wrapped in puff pastry, pea salad, chocolate-chip blondie bars, and jello shots. Co-host Lauren baked a mile-high blueberry pie and a patriotic-looking extra-thick sugar cookie that used raspberries and blueberries to signify the stars and stripes.

Please share your Fourth of July experiences in the comments below!

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