Fireworks explode during the City of McAllen Fireworks Extravaganza Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in McAllen. (Nathan Lambrecht | The Monitor)
With the Fourth of July weekend right around the corner, cities across the Rio Grande Valley are preparing to join the festivities and get in the patriotic spirit.
The cities of McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr and San Benito as well as Harlingen are all planning various Independence Day festivities for residents to enjoy.
McALLEN
The city of McAllen will host its 94th annual Independence Day Celebration Monday.
Festivities are scheduled to begin with an Independence 4K Run at 7 a.m. kicking off at Archer Park, located at 101 N. Main St. in McAllen.
The run will be followed by a patriotic program at 8 a.m. and the Main Street parade at 9 a.m. To register for the run visit mcallenmarathon.com. There is a $30 registration fee.
Residents can enjoy music, food, games and artisans at the Freedom Festival, which is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In the evening the city will be hosting an Aquatica Extravaganza from 1 to 4 p.m. at the McAllen Municipal Pool. There will be a $2.50 fee per entry at the pool, located at 1921 N. Bicentennial Blvd. in McAllen.
Residents can end their evening by enjoying McAllen’s Concert In The Sky which will run from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Municipal Park, where there will be a firework show at 9 p.m.
EDINBURG
The city of Edinburg will be hosting its second annual Firecracker 5K Run on Saturday at the Edinburg Municipal Park, located at 714 South Raul Longoria.
The run, which imposes a $15 fee to participate, is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. and registration is open through Thursday. Call (956) 381-5631 for more information on where and when to pick up your packet.
Then there’s the 16th annual Texas Cook’Em: High Steaks In Edinburg, which begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Ebony Hills Golf Course at 300 W. Mark S. Pena Drive in Edinburg.
The yearly event is known as one of the largest barbecue cook-offs in South Texas, and will award $25,000 to winners.
Country music singer Aaron Watson will serve as the headliner for this year’s Cook’Em.
PHARR
Even more food, fireworks and fun will be available in Pharr on Saturday, when the city will host its Independence Day Festival.
Slated from 6 to 10 p.m., the event will be held at the Allen and William Arnold Elementary City/School Park in Pharr, located at 615 W. Eldora Road.
Pharr’s patriotic-themed event will also include a carnival and fireworks show, which begins at 9 p.m.
SAN BENITO
ResacaFest will return to San Benito on Saturday with festivities beginning at 4 p.m.
Long-held at the city’s Heavin Memorial Park along the resaca, located at 705 N. Bowie St., the festival will consist of the usual merriment and events, including live music beginning at 4:30 p.m. and a fireworks show at 9:15 p.m.
Entertainment, which will go on until 11 p.m., will include live performances from Madelyn Victoria, Cristina y Los Latinos, Marlisa Vela, La Nueva Maravilla and Infusion Live Band.
And, of course, there will be food vendors, cold beverages, arts and crafts displays and children’s activities. But there will also be a car show and a hotdog and pie eating contest.
HARLINGEN
Freedom Fest 2022 is scheduled from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Lon C. Hill Destination Park, located at 1216 Fairpark Blvd. in Harlingen.
Open to the public, the event promises fireworks at 9:01 p.m. to end the day’s festivities. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Before the light show, however, there will be a free concert featuring the Lubbock-based Josh Abbott Band.
A car show as well as an adult beverage garden, food vendors and a children’s play area will also be available at the event.
BROWNSVILLE
The city of Brownsville will hold its annual Salute to Freedom Fourth of July celebration at the Brownsville Sports Park on Monday.
Live music, a car show and food vendors are among the festivities planned leading up to the fireworks show.
The tailgate area opens at 5 p.m. Monday and the gates open at 6 p.m. The fireworks display is scheduled around 9 p.m.
There will be free parking on a first come, first serve basis. Paid VIP parking will also be available.
