Austin Plans 4th of July Festivities

It’s almost the Fourth of July and the capital city will be celebrating in style. Here’s a sampling of some area celebrations to look forward to next month:

• Heart of Texas Red, White and Blues festival: Held July 1 at Waterloo Park, this event kicks off the holiday weekend off with live music on two stages featuring legendary blues artists. GE Smith of “Saturday Night Live” fame, blues Master Hubert Sumlin and a special guest will team up for a once-in-a-lifetime 90 minute set. The lineup also includes Charlie Sexton, WC Clark and many more. Guests can also enjoy food, arts and crafts, children’s activities and misting tents. www.redwhiteandbluesfestival.com

• Austin Symphony July Fourth Concert and Fireworks : This event is Austin’s largest Independence Day celebration and this year returns to Zilker Park’s Lou Neff Point. Look for some 100,000 people at this event which includes a rousing rendition of the 1812 Overture, punctuated by booming cannons and an elaborate fireworks display over Town Lake. This free event continues from 8:30 until 10 pm, with fireworks beginning at 9:30. Capital Metro’s free shuttle service runs from 4-11pm from Waterloo Park to the Mopac footbridge over Town Lake at Stephen F. Austin Blvd. www.austinsymphony.org

• “Fire in the Sky” : Austin firefighters and Whole Foods Market join forces for “Fire in the Sky” from 6-10 pm. This party on the store’s rooftop plaza and benefits the Austin Firefighters Community Education Fund. The event features live music, good food and a great view of the fireworks at Zilker Park. Tickets are $5. www.wholefoodsmarket.com

• Georgetown’s Independence Day Celebration : Just north of Georgetown, this event at San Gabriel Park starts with a Kid’s Fishing Derby at 7:30 a.m. Later look for over 80 arts and crafts booths, food vendors and a children’s area with games, a petting zoo, train rides and face painting with music in the gazebo throughout the day. A “Hometown Parade” begins at 11 a.m. and a fireworks finale at dark concludes the party. www.georgetownsertoma.org

• The Round Rock Fourth of July Fireworks and Frontier Days Celebration : Also north of Austin, this event starts with a parade through downtown Round Rock at 10 a.m. After the parade, head to Old Settler’s Park for a “Western Traditions” carnival. Reenactment of the Sam Bass shootout, free watermelon, arts and crafts, fireworks and more are on the agenda. www.roundrockfrontierdays.com

• Lakeway : Northwest of Austin, Lakeway celebrates American Heroes all day long with a parade down Lakeway Drive at 10 a.m., followed by a pageant, picnic, swimming and games at the Lakeway Activity Center. Fireworks light the sky over Lake Travis at Lakeway City Park starting at 8 pm. www.lakeway.org

• San Marcos SummerFest : Now in its 26th year, this riverside event on July 4 takes place from 11am to 11pm. Events at Sewell Park, on the campus of Texas State University, include food and activity booths, as well as an air-castle, parade and costume contest for kids. Live music continues throughout the day. At 9 p.m., an illuminated float parade travels down the river and is followed by a fireworks exhibition. www.sanmarcossummerfest.com