History of Independence Day
Independence Day is a time of celebration and joy. On July 4th, 1776, The United States of America gained its independence. America was officially able to make its own decisions, take care of its people, and celebrate the American dream. Today, we celebrate with fireworks, get-together’s, and parades in honor of this significant, joyous event in history.
Fun Facts
How much do you really know about Independence Day? Let’s look at a few fun facts about this national holiday to help us get in the mood for celebrating. To honor the original 13 states, the liberty bell - located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - rings 13 times on July 4th. Collectively, Americans spend over $1 billion on fireworks each year. Thomas Jefferson, the main author of the Declaration of Independence, was one of three presidents who signed the declaration that have died on July 4th. The other two presidents are John Adams and James Monroe. Another interesting fact is that Independence Day did not become a federal holiday until 1870. This was nearly a hundred years after America won its independence. For more fun facts on July 4th, check out this exciting list.
City of Temple Celebrations
There will be a special Independence Family Day celebration at the Railroad and Heritage Museum on saturday, July 3rd. Kids will enjoy doing patriotic crafts and have the opportunity to learn about some of the influential people that helped inspire the American Revolution. The event is free and takes place from 10 am - 1 pm. From 2 pm- 3:30 pm on July 4th, locals can participate in the 4th of July Scooter Scavenger Hunt. This scavenger hunt is hosted by Tour Temple and people age 18 and over can sign up to form a team of 2 and find the most items to win prizes. Sign up for the scavenger hunt here. Along with these fantastic events, the Historic Preservation League of Temple (HPLT) will be having an Independence Day Parade. This parade takes place on Saturday, July 3rd at 9 am. Get yourselves, your bikes, and your wagons decked out for this parade! The parade route starts at N 9th St. from French to Nugent.
This year, the City of Temple plans to have a celebration taking place on Sunday, July 4th at Crossroads Park. This event marks the 23rd annual H-E-B Family Fun Fest and Fireworks Show. The celebration starts at 4 pm. The fireworks celebration takes place later in the evening, at 9:30 pm. You can show up earlier at the start of the event to check out the food vendors and enjoy time together with others who are equally as excited to celebrate the United States of America and all the things America has accomplished since winning its independence. This exciting, family fun event will be one for the history books. The event is free and open to the public. Make sure to bring lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and friends or family to share in the celebrations and have a grand time.
Belton Celebrations
On the 3rd, there will also be a few Independence Day events taking place. At 10 am, there will be a Belton Independence Day Parade starting at UMHB and ending near the Belton Police Department. Starting at 11 am, the Festival on Nolan Creek will begin. At this event, a hot dog eating competition will begin at 12 pm. There will be food vendors and entertainment. Also in Belton, there will be a few firework shows happening on the 4th. Drive out to the lake and pack the car full of lawn chairs, waters, and snacks to watch the fireworks by the water. Or head to downtown Belton for a fireworks show and live concert at Schoepf's BBQ.
How to Handle the Outdoor Heat Like a Pro
July is one of the hottest months of the year. To keep your family safe this holiday, here are a few tips to beat the heat this July 4th. Don’t forget to pack the mosquito spray. When heading outside for an extended period of time, it is always better to be safer rather than sorry. Getting a multitude of bug bites from one exciting evening out is not how you want to spend the aftermath of this event. And, perhaps most important, make sure to pack lots of water. Pack a cooler full of ice-cold water. Hot summer nights make you more susceptible to heat exhaustion. Stay hydrated by bringing enough water for the whole family. Before you head out for the celebration, make sure to wear your best red, white, and blue attire. Celebrate America’s Independence right by wearing our nation’s patriotic colors.