DFW Fourth of July events to light your bulb

by Sarah Blaskovich , Shannon Sutlief

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For booms big and small.

Last year, some cities struggled to keep their fireworks shows possible during Texas' worst drought on record. This year, after ample rains, dangerously dry conditions don't appear to be a problem for the big fireworks shows.

More of a problem, perhaps, is that a middle-of-the-week Fourth of July is messy. Patriotic celebrations bookend the actual holiday, and then there's that midweek vacation day. But let's look at this another way: That's 10 days of Fourth of July celebrations. And there's a little boom for everybody.

The big boom

If you want to join thousands of people for some of North Texas' biggest fireworks shows, check out one of these below. (Or, hit them all.)

• Saturday, June 30: Allen USA Celebration. Celebrate 'Merica with your family, and stay late for The Bangles' show.
• Tuesday, July 3: Kaboom Town in Addison. Named one of the world's best fireworks displays -- yes, the world -- Kaboom Town is an old tradition in Dallas.
• Wednesday, July 4: Fair Park Fourth. Guests can watch the Fair Park fireworks from inside the Cotton Bowl -- a pretty cool sight.

In the Fort

Fort Worth dwellers, or those who like to go west, there are plenty of ways to get patriotic:

• Monday, July 2, Tuesday, July 3, and Wednesday, July 4: Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's Old-Fashioned Family Fireworks Picnic. Bring a pic-a-nic basket and the symphony "supplies the soundtrack," as they've so cleverly put it. Tickets start at $16.
• Wednesday, July 4: Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic. Willie's patriotic picnic has long been a tradition for the Texas country artist. It's at Billy Bob's Texas, where you're bound to feel some love for your country -- or at least for the Lone Star State.
• Wednesday, July 4: Fort Worth's Fourth. For free, families can trek to Panther Island Pavilion (home of the Rockin' the River tubing events on Thursdays) for some fun and fireworks.

If you're into indie-pendence

• Tuesday, July 3: Vans Warped Tour at Gexa Energy Pavilion. Artists include Rise Against, Taking Back Sunday, the Used, New Found Glory, and more. Tell your kids to drink a lot of water.

Competition eaters, inquire within

• Wednesday, July 4: The Brass Knuckle Corndog Beatdown. The person who eats the most corndogs at the Libertine Bar on Greenville Avenue wins a trophy, mucho bragging rights, and a $100 gift certificate to the bar. Second gets a $50 gift certificate, and third gets $25 in quarters. (If that's you, head directly to Barcadia to play some arcade games.)

For those on a date

• Wednesday, July 4: Grapevine Fireworks Extravaganza. Take your sweetie to Lake Grapevine for a fireworks show in a romantic setting. Part of Fairway Drive will be shut down for couples to pull over and get close. Download some patriotic music here so you don't have to fuss with the radio.

See any Fourth of July events we missed? Tell us in the comments section below.

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