If your idea of an exciting Fourth of July includes a kiddie pool, a six-pack and looking up at the first sign of big sounds in the sky, this isn't for you. But if you don't mind leaving your house, we've rounded up the best options in the area for enjoying the annual lights-in-the-sky show.
Here we go, in no particular order.
Addison Kaboom Town! Despite Addison's insistence on celebrating America's birthday a day early, it continues to be the most crowd-inducing celebration in the area. Festivities kick off at 5 p.m. in Addison Circle Park (4970 Addison Circle Drive, Addison) on July 3, with family fun and live music to entertain the masses until their award-winning firework show at 9:30 p.m. Memorable views of the fireworks can be seen throughout the town, but the real party takes place at the shoulder-to-shoulder watching parties at the over 170 Addison restaurants and bars. Kaboom Town! is free, but bring plenty of cash for food and drinks and patience for parking.
Lone Stars and Stripes Fireworks Celebration What's better than one huge July 4 celebration? You guessed it: two. Enjoy two full days of family fun with Thoroughbred horse racing, pony rides, a petting zoo, live music and more on July 3rd and 4th at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie (1000 Lone Star Pkwy.). Each night concludes with a 20-minute fireworks show. Gates open at 3 p.m. with $5 general admission and free parking.
Red, White & BOOM! at the Mckinney Soccer Complex at Craig Ranch Start your day off at 10 a.m. for a patriotic parade in historic downtown square then head over to the Mckinney Soccer Complex at Craig Ranch (6475 Collin McKinney Pkwy.) for fun, food and live music, including former American Idol finalist Jason Castro, to be capped off with a 9:45 p.m. fireworks display. The Good: It's Free! The Bad: No alcohol is allowed at the event.
Fair Park for the MetroPCS Fair Park Fourth Get there early -- wristbands for Cotton Bowl entry will be available at 4:30 p.m. while supplies last. There will be kids activities and live music performances from Quiver, Havanah NRG and the Dallas Wind Symphony throughout the grounds until the Fireworks program at 9:30 p.m. Festivities wrap up with a performance by party dance band Performance By Motion.
A Star Spangled Spectacular! You love the idea of fireworks, music and hot dogs, right? But damn, it is HOT. Head over to the Morton H. Meyerson Cener (2301 Flora) for A Star Spangled Spectacular. Whether you find the idea of indoor fireworks a welcome relief or just kinda scary, there's only one place to enjoy the obligatory, annual lights in the sky and the cool breeze of an A.C. Festivities begin at 1:00 p.m. and include hot dogs, John Philip Sousa's most patriotic marches and an appearance by Sousa himself (or at least somebody dressed up like him). Tickets start at $21.
