Forthcoming fun: Lubbock, South Plains to mark July 4th with fireworks, parades and more

South Plains residents have plenty of opportunities to celebrate the nation's Independence Day - both before and after July 4th on Thursday - with a variety of events planned around the region.

Celebrations featuring fireworks shows, live music, food and more are on tap across the region starting Thursday with the 34th annual 4th on Broadway festival around Mackenzie Park in Lubbock and the Red, White & Moo Freedom Parade & Milk Fest in Plainview , followed by Wolfforth's 4th on the 5th on Friday. Saturday will bring the annual fireworks display at Buffalo Springs Lake, with wristbands for that event already on sale for Lubbock County residents now through Friday.

Here's a look at what's to come:

Brownfield fireworks and more

A variety of festivities are planned starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, in Brownfield's Coleman Park. The event will feature a golf-cart parade and car show, as well as food, live music and a fireworks display after dark. For any questions call City Hall at 806-637-4547.

Lubbock's 4th on Broadway

Organizers for Lubbock's 34th annual 4th on Broadway festival are in the final days of planning what is often touted as the largest free festival in Texas.

And from the July 4th morning parade that will take a slightly different route, to the final fireworks in Mackenzie Park, organizers are calling it the do-not-miss event of the summer.

Broadway Festivals officials announced a posthumous memorial in honor of Don Caldwell as the Bolton Oil Parade Grand Marshal. Members of his family will ride in the lead vehicles.

Here's the full lineup of events:

9:45 a.m. - the Bolton Oil Parade begins at Broadway and Avenue J, traveling east on Broadway and ending at MLK Jr. Blvd; it will also be broadcast on KLBK-TV.

10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. - Reliant’s Picnic in the Park featuring: o 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Gandy’s Kids’ Area hosts tons of free kids’ activities, including inflatables, games and more. o 11 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. BMW of Lubbock Daytime Stages: Four major outdoor stages feature the best of West Texas music, including the BMW of Lubbock Red, White and Blue stages as well as the West Texas Roots Stage. o

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. - Cabela’s Youth Fishing Tournament hosts free fishing for ages 18 and under, along with prizes in several categories. Pre-registration is encouraged.

5 p.m. - River Smith’s Catfish and Cobbler Eating Contests for kids and adults; pre-registration is encouraged.

7-10 p.m. - The Gorilla Law Firm Evening Concert features headliner alt-rock/pop-rock band Smash Mouth. Also appearing:

o Tribute to Selena featuring Gabriella Flores

o Rockin’ ‘80s Tribute featuring the Caldwell Collective

o Blackwater Draw · 10 p.m. The United Supermarkets Fireworks Extravaganza choreographed live to classic and contemporary patriotic music. Parking Information:

· Free parking is provided at Canyon Lake Drive between Broadway & 19th Street from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.

· Paid Parking ($5 per car) is available at the South Plains Fairgrounds from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

· Free Shuttle Service to and from the park from the fairgrounds is provided by the Gene Messer Ford and Mullin, Hoard & Brown, LLP.

· Additional paid parking is available down by the park, directly across the street.

All of the day’s events and information are available at broadwayfestivals.com Find more information on the 34th annual 4th on Broadway at www.broadwayfestivals.com and also on Facebook and Instagram.

Plainview Red, White & Moo

The Red, White & Moo Freedom Parade & Milk Fest, along with various other activities, is scheduled for Thursday, July 4, on the Courthouse Lawn in downtown Plainview.

Activities will begin with the Red, White & Moo Freedom Parade at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at the Railroad Depot, head south down Ash Street, and turn east at Sixth and Ash streets ending at Fire Station No. 1.

Downtown Plainview /Main Street will be coordinating the parade; participants are welcome. Prizes will be awarded to top parade entries. Participants will be allowed to throw candy walking beside a float and large vehicles and semi-trucks will be able to participate.

For more information or to pick up an entry form, visit www.plainviewtx.org or call 806-293-4000.

Following the parade, the Red, White & Moo Milk Fest will be held on the courthouse lawn from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Activities will include music, bouncy houses, a mobile dairy classroom, petting zoo, face painting, foam bubbles, food trucks and, of course, free ice cream, milk and cheese.

The event is organized by the Red, White & Moo Committee, consisting of local dairies including Grand View Dairy, Fox Dairy, Legacy Farms, Dairy Fountain and Descanso Dairy. It has been held for more than ten years and is celebrated across the country in June for National Dairy Month. Along with the local dairies, Dairy Max, Gandy Farms, and Southwest Dairy Farmers also support the efforts of the Red, White & Moo Festival.

For more information, contact Downtown Plainview at 806-293-4000 or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/redwhitemoomilkfest.

Wolfforth 4th on the 5th

The community is invited to Wolfforth for its annual 4th on the 5th Celebration starting at 6 p.m. Friday in Patterson Park along U.S. 82 Frontage Road in Wolfforth.

The free event features live music. There will also be kids activities, food trucks and fireworks at dark, weather permitting. Guests are invited to bring their blankets and lawn chairs.

Buffalo Springs Lake Fireworks

Buffalo Springs Lake is once again hosting its annual fireworks show, this time coming after dark Saturday evening. The show is sponsored by Pollard Friendly Ford. Now through July 5, Lubbock County residents can buy wristbands for admission. Pre-purchased wristbands are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for veterans or children ages 6 to 11. Admission is free for children 5 and younger. Only season passes and wristbands will be accepted for entry at the event. More information is available by calling the administration office at 747-3353 or going to their Facebook page or website at https://www.buffalospringslake.net/events/.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Forthcoming fun: Lubbock, South Plains to mark July 4th with fireworks, parades and more