ROCKWALL – Independence Day celebration fireworks, parades, watermelon-eating and seed-spitting contests, live bands and more are scheduled across Rockwall County this weekend at free events in Royse City, Rockwall, Rowlett and Fate.

FRIDAY

The celebrations begin Friday night at the sixth annual Royse City “4th Fest” at Royse City High School stadium, sponsored by the Royse City Chamber of Commerce. Sack races, hula hoop and watermelon-eating contests, a live band from  Southern Junction nightclub and family fun will begin at 6:15 pm. Fireworks begin at 9:15 pm.

Fireworks can also be seen Friday night at 9:15 pm at The Harbor Entertainment District.

SATURDAY

Saturday at 11 am, an old-fashioned parade, free watermelon and watermelon-seed-spitting contest will take place in Old Town Rockwall, sponsored by the Old Town Rockwall Neighborhood Association and Community Bank.

The parade is free to attend or participate in and open to all ages. Anyone can motor, walk, ride a bicycle or tricycle or even just ride along in a stroller or wagon as a part of the parade. Pets are welcome as long as they are on leads.

The parade forms at 10:30 a.m. as in past years on Kaufman St. east of Fannin
St. This year’s new parade route will start east on Kaufman, south on Clark St., west on Washington St. and north on Fannin St., turning west on Rusk St. into Rockwall’s historic Old Town Square.

After the parade reaches the Square, all are invited to a flag ceremony and
welcoming remarks from Rockwall’s new Mayor David Sweet. There will be
entertainment and complimentary ice cold watermelon and drinks.

Prizes will be awarded for the most patriotic costumes; best decorated bikes, tricycles, and strollers or wagons; and for cutest pets. The winners of a Watermelon Eating Contest and the first Old Town Seed Spitting Contest will receive prizes donated by local merchants.

The Farmer’s Market will be in full swing and the shops on the square will be
open for browsing. For more information visit www.oldtownrockwall.com.

Beginning at Noon Saturday, the Harbor Entertainment District in Rockwall is hosting a Freedom Fest – featuring live music – and Boat Show. No other details are available.

SUNDAY

The Freedom Fest and Boat Show will continue at The Harbor Sunday, beginning at Noon.

Sunday evening, the City of Rowlett will present its annual “Fireworks on Main,” from 6-10 pm, featuring fireworks, refreshments and entertainment by Time Machine.

The event will be held in downtown Rowlett at 4000 Main St. Parking is located at Coyle Middle School (4500 Skyline) and Herfurth Park (4600 Centennial). DART Shuttles will run from Rowlett High School (4700 Main Street) to Downtown.

MONDAY

On the 4th of July, the City of Heath will sponsor its annual Independence Day Parade followed by free “Popsicles in the Park” behind City Hall, 200 Laurence Dr.

Staging for the parade will be at 8 am, judging and awards at 8:30 am and the parade begins promptly at 9 am at Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School at 330 Laurence Drive.

A Best Decorated Award is presented in several categories including: Float; Bicycle; Wagon/Stroller; Golf Cart; Off-Road Vehicle; Kiddie Car and Antique Car. There are also awards for Best Costume; Most Patriotic Pet; and the Mayor’s Award.

Active members of the military are encouraged to ride on the Veterans Float or march in the parade, said Heath Mayor John Ratcliffe.

“We have this float so that our community can honor our veterans for their extraordinary gift of service. It is because of them and the many other brave men and women who have served in our Armed Forces that we are able to celebrate independence.”

For more information, contact Heath Assistant City Manager Kim Dobbs at 972-771-6228.

Monday at 9 pm the City of Rockwall will present its annual fireworks extravaganza at Harry Myers Park. Parking is generally a problem so arrive early.

All City and County offices will be closed July 4 and reopen July 5.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

By J.J. Smith. Independence Day events across Rockwall County will begin at 6 p.m. tonight when QueFest opens at Elgin Robertson Park on Lake Ray Hubbard in Rowlett.

Events will continue in Heath, Rockwall, Rowlett and Royse City over the weekend.

Quefest – which benefits the Exchange Club of Rowlett to promote patriotism, prevent child abuse and other causes – features concerts Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. by nationally-known entertainers.

Friday night, popular country singers Jonny Lang and Cory Morrow will appear. Rock ‘n Roll superstar Joan Jett (“I Love Rock ‘n Roll) and Black Tie Dynasty will perform Saturday. Country superstar Tracy Lawrence (“Time Passes On”) and Charlie Robison will sing Sunday night.

In addition, there will be carnival rides, lots of Texas Bar-B-Que, State Fair foods and local bands playing all day Saturday and Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. For info, visit www.Quefest.com.

Saturday, at 9 a.m, the annual Heath Independence Day parade takes place, followed by popsicles in the park behind Heath City Hall. The parade is the largest in the area, includes Rockwall-Heath High School’s marching band and last year continued for 30 minutes. For info, visit www.heathtx.com.

Saturday, at 10:30 a.m, the Friends of Old Town Rockwall and Community Bank will host a parade beginning in Old Town Rockwall at Kaufman and Fannin Streets, ending at the Old Rockwall Courthouse Square. The City’s Farmers Market on the Square will also be in full swing from 9 a.m. until Noon. For info, see www.oldtownrockwall.com.

Saturday, from 6 – 10 p.m, the City of Rowlett will host its free annual “Fireworks on Main” celebration, including a free concert at 8 p.m. by a top DFW cover band, The Wonders. Fireworks begin at dusk.  For info, visit www.rowlett.com.

Sunday, at 6:30 p.m, Royse City will host its fifth annual free “FourthFest” at Bulldog Stadium next to Royse City High School. Food, children’s games, music and fireworks are all planned. For info, see www.roysecity.com.

Sunday night, beginning at dusk, the City of Rockwall will present it’s annual free fireworks spectacular at dusk at Harry Myers Park. For info, see www.rockwall.com.

Displays of patriotism, parades, picnics and fireworks were everywhere across Rockwall County July 3 and 4 as Rockwall County citizens celebrated America’s Independence Day.

Beginning with the City of Rowlett’s “Fireworks On Main” festival Friday night, where thousands watched the rockets red glare, the festivities continued Saturday morning with the City of Heath’s impressive 30-minute long parade and popsicles in the park afterward.

Old Town Rockwall’s annual Saturday morning parade was followed by Rockwall’s TEA party, protesting high taxes. Texas Gov. Rick Perry was the featured speaker, with U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall, State Rep. Jody Laubenberg and others taking turns at the podium.

During the day, thousands of families celebrated the 4th with picnics, parties, swimming, boating and shopping, since many stores were open.

The night was all about fireworks, held in Royse City at Bulldog stadium after the City’s “4thFest” parade, plus in the City of Rockwall’s Harry Myers Park.

Thousands attended both displays and oohs and aahs could be heard as red, white and blue lights and explosions lit up the skies.