Fireworks shows on deck; Peach Festival coming later this month
Jul. 2—Summer activities are ramping up, with celebrations for the Fourth of July and annual Peach Festival around the corner.
Independence Day
Hudson Oaks, Weatherford and Mineral Wells will be hosting community events to celebrate July Fourth.
Boomin' 4th, hosted by the City of Hudson Oaks, runs from 5-10 p.m. July 4 at Gene L. Voyles Park.
Shuttles begin and the Kid Zone and food court will open at 5 p.m., with stage entertainment starting at 6 p.m. The fireworks display is expected to begin around 9:30 p.m.
The event is free, with food, beverages and desserts available for purchase in the food court. Lawn chairs and coolers are welcome, but canopies, fireworks, grills, tents or glass are not allowed.
Weatherford's Heritage Park Amphitheater will once again be the site of Spark in the Park on July 4.
The Eli Young Band will be headlining the event that runs from 6-10 p.m.
Food and beverage vendors will be on hand, as well as children's water slides. A fireworks show begins after dark.
Free shuttles will run to and from parking lots from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, lawn chairs, blankets, coolers with food and drink, water, bug spray, sunscreen, cameras and bags are allowed.
No flags/signs/banners/tents obstructing views, grills or open flames, glass bottles, fireworks or dogs will be allowed.
Visit experienceweatherford.com and click the "events" tab for more information.
T&A Adventure Outfitters in Mineral Wells will have kayaks, canoes and paddle boards available for rent for a Fourth of July Float Parade at Mineral Wells State Park.
Boat decorations and costumes are encouraged, with prizes for best decorated, and visitors are free to bring their own kayaks, canoes or paddle boards.
Those interested can meet at the T&A set up by the boat dock at 9 a.m. to register and begin decorating. The group will set out on a pre-determined route at 10 a.m. Open to all locals, visitors and age groups.
There will be regular park fee at the gate.
Mineral Wells Stadium will be the site of a community fireworks show on Wednesday, July 3.
A drone show will kick off the 10 p.m. events followed by fireworks.
Stadium gates will open at 9 p.m. The event is sponsored by Richard and Nancy Stuart.
The 2024 Hell's Gate Fireworks Show is July 6 at the YMCA Camp Grady Spruce.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m., the fireworks starting after dark. Cost is $10 per person.
No swimming or alcohol are permitted.
Music and food vendors will also be on hand.
A peach of a weekend
Weatherford will be living up to its designation as the Peach Capital of Texas, hosting the 39th annual Parker County Peach Festival July 13.
Cyclists will be up bright and early as the Peach Pedal Bike Ride kicks things off at Weatherford High School, 2121 Bethel Road.
The 61-mile ride begins at 7:30 a.m., 38-mile at 7:45 a.m. and 28- and 8-mile rides start at 8 a.m.
The Peach Pedal is one of the largest fundraising events for United Way of Parker County, with all proceeds staying local to benefit CASA, Children's Advocacy Center, Child Protective Services Board, Center of Hope, Freedom House, Hearts Full of Love, MANNA, Parker County Committee on Aging, Sanctified Hope for Women and Stars & Strides Therapeutic Riding.
Registration fees are $50 per rider or $80 per tandem couple, with discounts available for those who register before July 6. Deadline for online registration is July 11 at 5 p.m. Visit peachpedal.com for more information.
The Peach Festival, organized by the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Historic Downtown Weatherford, with more than 200 vendor, food and activity booths, two entertainment stages, two areas for children's activities, a '42' domino tournament and the Peach Food Competition.
New this year is the "World's Largest Peach Cobbler," which will fill a more than 4,000-lb. pan.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 5-12.
Purchase tickets online at parkercountypeachfestival.org.