Top picks for a fiery Fourth

by John P. Meyer

What do you think of when you think of the Fourth of July?

If you answered "fireworks," get out of town. (Kaboom Town, that is ... so there'll be more room for me to park!) All those splashy explosions evoking "OOOHS!" and "AAAHS!" just never seem to go out of style or lose their thrill - at least, not to those of us who appreciate the Art of Fire.

But there's a lot more to the Fourth than just fireworks, as you'll discover from the sampling of North Texas events listed below.

Friday

Kaboom Town 2009

In many ways, Addison's Kaboom Town is the quintessential fireworks show in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Firstly, it hardly ever happens on the actual Fourth of July. Secondly, it features seemingly millions of people cruising around in their automobiles trying to position themselves for the best possible view of the fireworks display -- while simultaneously planning a "quick getaway" exit strategy. (HINT: Back your vehicle into the parking space, so -- when some A**HOLE parks in front of you later -- you'll have your horn positioned front-and-center for some most excellent high-volume blasting.)

The Geezers Fourth of July show

From the epic to the mundane in terms of spectacle. (We presume.) I don't know a darn thing about The Geezers, but I like their name -- and if for some reason I end up not liking their music I can step outside into the J. Gilligan’s parking lot and catch the fireworks coming from this nearby event. (In fact, the venue apparently encourages such behavior.)

Saturday

Special Needs screening of Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

For families of kids with special needs, Fourth of July activities can start as early as 11 a.m. with a showing of the latest 20th Century Fox take on (animated) prehistory, as -- apparently -- Scrat and the rest of the mammalian crew fall through a hole in the ice and find themselves in a hidden subterranean world populated by leftover dinosaurs. Who appear fairly robust, given that they're on the way out, evolution-wise. Free tics for kids with special needs: call 214-361-2966 for further info.

2009 University Park Firecracker Fun Run

What? Not early enough? All right, you glutton for punishment (and exercise), put on your running shoes and jog on down to Curtis Park (w. of Hillcrest and Lovers) for a 5K "fun run." At 7:30 (as in "a.m."). Just do it quietly so you don't wake me.

The Colony’s Liberty by the Lake 2009

With such a huge variety of events going on at Liberty by the Lake, you might just forget about going anywhere else. (Especially if you are inclined towards forgetfulness.) Seriously, though, we're talkin' 5K and one mile runs (8 a.m.), a family fun zone for the kids (4 p.m. opening time, with mechanical bull!), live music (also starting at 4), R5Water-XRacing qualification runs (starting at 10 a.m.), and -- sure to be the hit of the day -- an "anything that floats" regatta (5 p.m. start - and a really quick finish for some contestants, no doubt). Top it all off with a fireworks extravaganza sponsored by Allied Waste Services. (Who hopefully will be helping to pick up after the festivities.) Here's the coolest part: there'll be shuttle parking available once Stewart Creek Park itself gets all parked up.

Riverboat Gamblers / Red City Radio / Bad Sports / The Uptown Bums

Since you're already north of I-635, why not finish up the evening in Denton listening to some incendiary live music at the Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studio? Huh? (See, you can't answer that, can you?) Doors open at 10 p.m.; admission ten bucks.

Sunday

Fourth of July Wine Trail 2009

Oh, sure, by now you're all worn out and your eardrums are sore from bombs bursting in air. (Or some such.) But you're not done yet, Bunkie, not by a rocket's-red-glare long shot. Why not cool your roman candles, ratchet down the activity meter, and head on over to Grapevine for some dedicated wine-tasting action. Your $50 pass ($45 if you buy it ahead of time) gets you three tastings at participating downtown wineries (all eight of 'em!), a food sample to go keep your strength up (and your wits about you), and a bottle of wine from the (participating) winery of your choice. Tickets here.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra - '1812 Overture'

"It is the CER-e-al that's SHOT from guns." We round out our roundup of Fourth of July events and activities with a return to the Botanic Garden for a performance of Tchaikovsky's venerable 1812 Overture by the Fort Worth Symphony -- with a spectacular fireworks show choreographed as accompaniment. (Pass the Quaker Puffed Wheat.) Details: 817-871-7686.

Know about something we've overlooked? Let us know in the comments. Don't forget to check out the daily Peg Picks for more event suggestions from Pegasus News staffers.

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