Local festivities in store for Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is just around the corner and local cities are ready with organized celebrations to accommodate families seeking entertainment.

Weslaco will open its public swimming pool with free swimming the entire day, including two water slides and two kiddie rides. Thirteen certified lifeguards will monitor both the pool and slides. Weslaco's Fourth of July celebration will be held at the Isaac Rodriguez Park on Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The fireworks display is scheduled for 9 p.m., and there will be free kayak training by certified instructors from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

There will be one alcoholic beverage stand, two water stands and five food vendors selling hot dogs, onion blossoms, Peter Piper Pizza, baked potatoes and snow cones. The little league will also open the concession stand at the park. Garcia said additional food vendors may be added in the days leading up to the event.

“We have a lot of (age) groups,” said Pete Garcia, director of parks and recreation in Weslaco. “Younger groups will take advantage of rides and the pool, we'll have something for everyone and the skate park will be open. (There will be) live entertainment and drinks for adults. We have good parking…and the building service center as a cool area. I think it's going to be a good setup.”

As many as six Weslaco police officers will patrol the area on bikes and EMS services will be on stand-by throughout the day.

“It's a family type event that I feel we don't need 14 or 15 (officers),” Garcia said. “We usually have that many at other events. Four to six policemen will do.”

More than 5,000 people are expected to attend the event, Garcia said. For the entertainment portion of the celebration, a number of bands and Elvis impersonator Rene Davis will perform for the crowds. Garcia said he is still trying to get more music groups to participate.

“I'm trying to get Ray Martinez and I'm trying to get more bands like Tejano Mixx,” he said. “I want at least four or five bands to cover the day. (Families) can expect a great time. I'll bring my family, and they'll enjoy the free swimming and water slides. (Kids) won't come asking for money to go on rides, that's a big plus. (Residents will) especially look forward to the fireworks display at night, good music, good food and it's so hot, the water park will cool off.”

Donna will celebrate the holiday early on Sunday, while festivities in Weslaco and Mercedes are scheduled for Wednesday.

“We always do our events on Sundays,” said David de los Rios, director of the Donna tourism information center. “It's a family event. They go to church and when they come out they come here.”

Donna's Fourth of July Celebration will take place at Altas Palmas Park beginning at 11 a.m. and concluding at 11 p.m. with a 30 minute fireworks display. There will be 25 food vendors selling food and beverages including spiral potato rings, onion blossoms and beer.

City officials said they have made plans to accommodate approximately 25,000 people. A full day of free concerts is lined up, including performances by Duelo, David Lee Garza, Siggno, Los Palominos, Chuy Quintanilla, Badd Boyz del Valle, Chente Barrera, Fama, Privilegio, La Senal and more. Organizers have also planned a car, truck and bike show including a sound-off competition. For local cooks and culinary experts, organizers have scheduled a Mayor's Cup chicken and rib cook-off. A kiddie carnival with 30 to 40 rides and games will be available for children and families.

“It's a free event, free concert, why stay at home on Sunday and Bar-B-Que when you can come have Bar-B-Que here and bring your lawn chair. And getting all these artists together…each band plays 45 minutes not including the surprise bands who show up.”

The Department of Public Safety, the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Department and the Donna police department will be out in force at the event working as security. Undercover police officers will also be within the crowds to monitor safety.

“(People can expect) a long nice comfortable day, feel safe and secure,” said de los Rios. “People can have good quality food, and our health inspector will be there inspecting all vendors. There will be vendors selling novelties and souvenirs. There's going to be a lot of things going on throughout the day.”

The Fourth of July celebration in Mercedes will be sponsored by radio stations KGBT 98.5, RECUERDO 96.1 and LA TREMENDA 1530. The radio stations are presenting El Festival del 4 de Julio complete with concerts all day at the Livestock Show grounds on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will be performances by: Invasores de N.L., Lalo Mora, Los Cachorros de Juan Villarreal, Herederos de N.L., Palomo, Liberación, Zaino, El Güero y su Banda, Los Súbditos del Rey and Arsenal y Rey Arturo. Unlike the events in Weslaco and Donna that feature free parking and admission, there will be $3 parking at the show grounds.

For more information on the Fourth of July celebration in Donna, call (956) 464-9640, for Mercedes call KGBT (956) 631-5499 and for Weslaco's celebration call (956) 973-3169.