Red, White and Boom: 2016 Independence Day events in E. Texas

EAST TEXAS (KLTV) - There are always a vast number of July 4 events to attend, not just on Independence Day weekend, but in the surrounding weeks, as well. Here is a round-up of events we've found for you to enjoy. 

Athens:

The annual Fourth of July fireworks show at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) will be Monday, July 4.
TFFC is normally closed on Mondays but will be open for the evening display, offering free admission for the fireworks show starting at 5 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to fish in the stocked casting pond until 8:30 p.m. No license is required to fish, and bait and tackle are furnished for free. The fireworks will begin about 9 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and people are encouraged to bring picnics. KCKL (FM 95.9) will broadcast patriotic music during the show.
Pets, alcohol and private fireworks, including "snap caps" and sparklers, are not allowed. TFFC is a tobacco-free facility, and smoking or the use of tobacco products is restricted to designated areas on the premises.

Ben Wheeler:

Brooks Gremmels 4th of July Celebration - hot dogs, fireworks, live music on the pickin' porch at noon - Monday, July 4. -

Run Down for the Day
12:00 - Tiffani Watkins & the Chasin' Arrows Band
1:30 - Zac Stokes
3:30 - Chase McClanahan
5:00 - Free Hotdogs
5:30 - Wayland Hicks
7:30 - Shinebox w guest Justin Dean
9:00 - FIREWORKS! 
STARTING AT 11:30 A.M., WE WILL BE GIVING AWAY A BEN WHEELER T-SHIRT TO THE FIRST ONE-HUNDRED (that's 100!) GUESTS TO ARRIVE FOR THE SHOW! At 5:00, we'll start passing out free hotdogs - while supplies last! Ben Wheeler t-shirts (vintage and new) will be available.  There will be face painting for the kiddos!  You'll also be able to get information on our Summer Celebration Event as well as HOG FEST!!  Bring your lawn chairs, your watermelon and your friends and come CELEBRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE IN BEN WHEELER!!

Longview:

Ten time Grammy award-winning band Asleep at the Wheel will headline an outdoor free-to-the-public concert to be held just before the biggest fireworks show in East Texas. Hall Brothers and Walker McGuire will also take the stage. The event will fill the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex, located at 100 Grand Blvd on Monday, July 4, 2016.

In addition to the concert, many other activities are scheduled throughout the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex as part of the July 4th Fireworks and Freedom Celebration. Activities include amusement rides, a water foam spray area, a giant water slide, hot dog races, motorcycle parade, All-American car show and parade, food, beverages, and vendors.

Admission to the festival, concert, and fireworks show is free to public; however, prices vary for individual activities and rides. Community groups and vendors are encouraged to be a part of the event. For vendor and sponsorship information, please contact the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex at 903-237-1230.

Longview 4th of July Fireworks and Freedom Celebration motorcycle parade: Monday, July 4, 5:20 p.m. Staging at 4:45 at Teague Park (Veteran Plaza flag pole)

Mineola:

Monday, July 4, at the Mineola Civic Center. 8 p.m. 


Palestine:

Monday, July 4 - Steven Bennett Park will open at 5 p.m.. Concessions available, and proceeds will benefit the Hot Pepper festival on Oct. 22. Fireworks begin at dark. 

Quitman:

Monday, July 4: Kids Parade will start at 9:30, Declaration of Independence reading will begin at 10:00, Apple Pie judging will start at 9:30, so please have your pies at the Stinson House by no later than 9:00. Music by the Currier Family will start following the Declaration of Independence and we will announce the winner of the Pie contest. Food will be available. Kids parade, bikes and wagons.... Bring your lawn chairs and come to the Quitman Arboretum for an ole time July 4th celebration!


Tyler:

Lindsey Park July 4 celebration: 4-10 p.m., gates open at 2 p.m. Kids Zone and concessions for a fee. Face painting, inflatables and more. Live music from The Mansion Family, Paul Shafer, Stereo-Radio Blue Band, Kopastetic, and the Haggertys.  To prepare for this event, Lindsey Park will be closed to the public on July 4 until 2 p.m. Alcohol and private fireworks are prohibited in the park.  Call 903-531-1214 for more info.
Traffic message:

All traffic attending the Fireworks show at Lindsey Park will be required to enter into the main entrance off of Spur 364.  The Greenbriar Road park entrance will be an exit only. Beginning at 9:00 p.m. Spur 364 at Loop 323 will be closed to all westbound traffic.  Officers are requesting any resident who lives off Spur 364 between Loop 323, who needs to get to their residence during this time, to present their driver's license showing proof of their residency to the officers stationed at this location. Officers will allow residents only to proceed westbound on Spur 364.  After the Fireworks show all eastbound traffic on Spur 364 will be forced to turn right onto Loop 323 heading towards Hwy 155. 

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular: Monday, July 4- food begins at 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m. live music, illusionist, Joe Schmidt. Shows in the KidStreet Theatre: 7, 7:30, 8 and 8:30 p.m., 13590 SH 110 South, Tyler. 903-561-0445

Winona

Monday, July 4: First Baptist Church of Winona will host a 4 of July Celebration at the Winona ISD baseball/ softball complex. The event begins at 7 p.m. up until the 9 p.m. fireworks; there will be live music, softball, free hot dogs and water as long as they last, games for kids.

The event is free but donations stations will be available. For more information you can contact the First Baptist Church 903-360-5715.

Winnsboro:

Winnsboro 4th of July celebration will take place on Monday, July 4 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Fireworks, bounce house, obstacle course, dunking booth, free hot dogs. Live music begins at 5:30. 900 Wheeler Drive at Civic Center. 903-342-3666 for more information.