Posted by dgetx
Fireworks Shows Over The Pineywoods- 
The latest wildfire update for the state of Texas included burn bans in 237 of the 254 counties. Since fire season began on Nov. 15, 2010 the Texas Forest Service and area fire departments have responded to 13,467 fires that have burned roughly 3,292,070 acres.
The Texas Forest Service is not responsible for making decisions regarding firework restrictions or outdoor burn bans. Under state law, each county is responsible for making its own decisions making regarding firework restrictions and burn bans. However, the Texas Forest Service does provide county government officials with information concerning the latest drought conditions.
East Texas residents should follow all county and city laws regarding the use of fireworks. Most East Texas counties are currently under a burn ban. Fannin, Hunt, Rains, Delta, Hopkins, Lamar, Red River, Bowie and Smith counties are the only counties in East Texas not currently under burn bans. Smith county is the most southern county in East Texas not under a burn ban.
The drought that is devastating Texas has forced many counties to temporarily outlaw the sale or use of fireworks in East Texas. Although many East Texans will do without their own personal fireworks this year there will be several places to catch a great fireworks show. If you are traveling around the Pineywoods on July 4th, here is a list of some public fireowrks displays that will be going on in East Texas.
Anderson County is currently under a burn ban only, however, a partial ban on fireworks is in place. A public fireworks display will be held at Story School near the YMCA in Palestine at 9:30 p.m. on July 4th.
Angelina County is under a burn ban and fireworks have also been banned in the county. The annual 4th of July Extravaganza will take place on Monday, July 4th at the Ellen Trout Zoo in Lufkin. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. The Amazing Turtle Race will begin at 4 o’clock on the bank of Ellen Trout Lake. Live entertainment is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. There will be a shuttle running Lufkin High School to the zoo. The fireworks show will get underway at 9:15 p.m. along the lake.
Residents in or near Athens can catch the annual fireworks show at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. The fishery will open at 4 p.m. on July 4th, with free admission. Visitors are encouraged to fish in the stocked catfishing pond while waiting for the fireworks. The fireworks show is scheduled to begin around dusk. Fishing licenses are not required at the fishery, and bait and tackle are furnished for free. Fishing is catch-and-release only and ends approximately half an hour before the fireworks show.
In Bullard, a public fireworks display can be seen on July 4th at Bullard High School. Admission is free and concessions will be available on site.
Cherokee County is under a burn ban only. Fireworks are currently allowed. Residents are encouraged to attend the public fireworks display which will be held at Lake Jacksonville at dark July 4th.
The Galveston Island Park Board of Trustees will have a 25-minute fireworks salute at 9:15 p.m. Saturday at 37th Street and Seawall Boulevard in Galveston.
The East Texas Yamboree Association will host its annual fireworks show in Gilmer at 9 p.m. at the Gilmer High School grounds. Stadium seating will be provided, however people may bring lawn chairs. There will be a concession stand on site.
Houston County is under a burn ban as well as a fireworks ban. There will be several celebrations taking place in Houston County on July 4th. The “Kentucky Headhunters” will perform at the Crockett Civic Center from 7-9 p.m., followed by the recognition of any veterans. A public fireworks display is scheduled to begin at 9:45 p.m. in front of the Civic Center.
The Hughes Springs Chamber of Commerce will host its celebration beginning at 5 p.m., July 4th in Spring Park. Adult catfish plates and childrens hot dogs will be offered from 5 to 7 p.m. At 6 p.m., a no-motor parade will make its way around the park. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., there will be free games for the children, and at dusk fireworks will begin.
The city of Jefferson will host its 19th anniversary edition of Jefferson Salutes America, culminating in its “Fireworks Fantazmagoria,” July 4th. The decorated bike and tricycle parade for children begins at 5 p.m. in Otstott park. There will also be a pie and cake auction. The “Fireworks Fantazmagoria” starts at 9:30 p.m. over Big Cypress Bayou. Admission is free.
The Kemah Boardwalk’s annual fireworks show will launch about 9:30 p.m. Saturday from Galveston Bay. The best viewing area will be near the rides or the patio at Landry’s.
East Texas residents near Longview can take in a public fireworks display after the Freedom Celebrations and Fireworks Festival. The show will begin at dark on the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center grounds, July 4.
There will be two July 4 events in the Mineola area. At 11 a.m., on July 4th a neighborhood parade is set at Lake Holbrook. In Mineola, water slides will be set up at the civic center, beginning at noon and continuing until approximately 8 p.m. There will be a $5 charge for the water slides. At sunset, fireworks are scheduled to begin at the civic center.
Nacogdoches County is under a burn ban as well as a fireworks ban. The Freedom Fest will be held July 4th from 5 to 9:30 p.m. in Festival Plaza, located just south of the downtown square in Nacogdoches. The Freedom Fest will offer plenty of family fun. Delicious smells of festival foods will be drifting through the air and various children’s activities will be available. The Brookshire Brothers “Star Spangled Banner Burger Cook Off,” the “Star Spangled Pitch Off” washer tourney, and live music by Nickel Draft and Sound Stone will all be taking place at the festival as well. At the end of the evening a public fireworks display will take place over the oldest town in Texas. The fireworks show is scheduled to begin 30 minutes after dark.
New Boston’s Freedom Fest Celebration will begin at 6 p.m. till and last until dusk on July 4th at T & P Trailhead Park and Pavilion. Hometown entertainment will be provided by Gaige Baird and Jon Turner and local boy scouts will be selling refreshments. The band Stray Bullet will also be performing later in the evening. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at dusk.
Polk County is under a burn ban and fireworks ban. Area residents can attend a public fireworks display held on Lake Livingston, July 4th. The Waterfront Lodge in Onalaska offers a great viewing and parking area for the fireworks show, which will begin at 9:00p.m.
Shelby County is under a burn ban and fireworks ban. A public fireworks display will be held in Tenaha July 4th at the high school football stadium. Gates open at 7:00 p.m. and a southern gospel group will begin performing at 8:00p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:00 p.m., sharp.
East Texans in or around Tyler can attend the public fireworks display at Lindsey Park. The gates will open at 4pm with admission being $10 per car. The fireworks display with begin 30 minutes after dark.
MYETX.com encourages all area residents to be responsible on this very dry Fourth of July. Tens of thousands of acres have burned in the Pineywoods in recent weeks. East Texans should be proactive and responsible in an effort to preserve the Pineywoods and area resident’s homes from careless wildfires.
