Fair Park Fourth returns to Cotton Bowl
Considered Dallas’ official Independence Day celebration, Fair Park Fourth returns to the Cotton Bowl Stadium on July 4 with a Texas-sized fireworks display by the world-famous Grucci Fireworks family. The event is presented by Friends of Fair Park, and organizers promise a bigger, higher and brighter fireworks show than last year.
The musical portion of the program begins at 8:15 p.m. and will feature patriotic sounds from the Dallas Wind Symphony, the Hell Cats of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and baritone Alvy Powell. The musical performance leads into the fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.
The fireworks show will be synchronized with a live broadcast on WRR 101.1 FM. The upper and lower decks on the north end zone of the Cotton Bowl will feature the synchronized broadcast.
To get situated for the big music and fireworks show, patrons can begin entering the stadium at 7 p.m. at gate A.
Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. with free admission to a majority of the Fair Park museums until 7:30 p.m., including: the Women’s Museum, the Museum of the American Railroad, Museum of Nature & Science (not including the Science of Spying exhibit and the IMAX Theater), and the African American Museum. The Texas Discovery Gardens will host a free live-music stage.
Visitors can take in an aerial view of Fair Park on the Texas Skyway Gondola Ride for $5 per person or $20 per carload. The Swan Rides will be available also for $10 per boat (up to three people per boat).
Both the gondola and swan boats only accept cash.
Because of construction, the Esplanade fountain will not be operating, and the Hall of State, Aquarium and Planetarium will be closed.
Concession stands in Cotton Bowl Plaza and the lagoon area, as well as inside the stadium will offer July 4th food favorites like corn dogs, funnel cakes, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers, fries, pizza, ice cream, snow cones, nachos, soda, and beer.
The concessions and carnival games will require $1 coupons sold at booths located in Cotton Bowl Plaza and near the Band Shell.
Parking will be available at gates 5, 6, 13 and 14 for $8. Handicap parking will be available at gates five and six.
Guest may bring blankets to sit on, but no alcoholic beverages, glass bottles, fireworks or firearms will be permitted.
In conjunction with the Fourth at Fair Park, Dallas Summer Musicals is offering a special 50 percent discount for both performances of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at the Music Hall at Fair Park on July 4. More information is available at dallassummermusicals.org.
- by Jenn Emerson, Dallas Reporter for HelloMetro
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