Brazoria County celebrates Fourth of July

By Sharon Toth

The Bulletin

There will be a ton of fun across Brazoria County for the Fourth of July, 2025.

In addition to backyard barbecues, park picnics, or trips to the beach, fireworks will light up the sky at night at most public celebrations.

Some festivities will be held on the traditional date, July 4, but a couple will take place over the weekend after Independence Day, which falls on Friday this year. (Angleton’s fireworks show was the weekend before the Fourth.)

County residents and visitors can even enjoy fireworks all weekend long, if they don’t mind driving a little. Most shows are on the 4th, but there’s also one on Saturday, July 5, and another on Sunday, July 6.

The Bulletin offers our readers a Fourth of July Round-up of fun across the county every summer, thanks to our advertisers seen on the patriotic special pages in this issue, so here we go.

LAKE JACKSON

Most of the fun is centered around the Veteran’s Memorial Outdoor Plaza at Doris Williams Civic Center this year from 6 to 9 p.m.

“We will have bounce houses, water slides, yard games, food trucks, a red, white and blue foam cannon, dancing and live music, followed by fireworks at 9 p.m.,” Mallory Doyle, civic center manager, explained.

Some of these activities will be on grass, and some on concrete, said Doyle, who recommends bringing towels for the water toys. Lawn chairs are welcome, and drinks can be brought in, as long as they are not in glass containers.

The last of several spring / summer concerts the city holds outdoors annually for free will be a highlight, and there will be a couple of new faces at the final one on July 4.

The opening act will be Tyler Wayne Griffith Band from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., and the main act will feature The American Soldier, Toby Keith Tribute, and that follows at 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

After the music stops, the fireworks will be shot off from Dunbar Park, starting about 9:15 or 9:20 p.m.

While Dunbar Park isn’t open to the public for safety reasons at this time, many viewing the colorful display will park in or around  Brazos Mall and the shopping center housing Academy.

Earlier in the day, there’s the BASF Firecracker 4, one of the oldest races in the area and a Fourth tradition in Lake Jackson. It is a 4-mile run or 2-mile walk - your choice - at 7:15 a.m. For more information, email goljfat@gmail.com.

BRAZORIA

The Brazoria Lions Club will once again present its Celebrate America event, which will begin Sunday, July 6, at 5 p.m. with help from the City of Brazoria, local churches and sponsors, said Gary Kersh, a Lions Club member.

The club holds the event after the Fourth because the fireworks firm handling the pyrotechnics gives it a $500 discount per minute of show after the holiday, but it still costs $1,250 per minute.

“It’s about a $20,000 program,”  he said, and sponsorships are still being accepted.

The festivities will be held in the grassy area behind First Baptist Church and by Barrow Elementary School. There will be vendors, entertainment, including live music for the crowd, and bounce houses for the kids, starting at 5 p.m. and lasting until dark, when the fireworks will start.

Those attending are invited to bring chairs.

“About 1,500 or 2,000 show up, and they line up and down the street. You can see the fireworks all over town,” said Kersh.

WEST COLUMBIA

The American Legion Mattson Ringgold Post No. 503 at 219 Veterans Dr., formerly 14th Street, will host a family friendly day on Friday, July 4, said organizer Sandy Weems.

Gates will open at 10 a.m. with a hot-dog lunch with chips and drinks served  at 11 a.m., followed by a short patriotic program at noon.

 There will be bounce houses, water slides, games and kiddie train rides up to 3 p.m.

The city will be offering a fireworks show around dark, possibly as early as 8:30 to 8:45 p.m., said one municipal employee, at First Capitol Park on 13th Street. Spectators are invited to bring their lawn chairs.

FREEPORT

Freeport’s Fishin’ Fiesta is going back to its roots of being just a fishing tournament.

The 78th annual tourney, hosted this year by the Freeport Lions Club, will begin Thursday, July 3, and awards will be presented, Sunday, July 6.

Freeport Municipal Park will once again be the headquarters for registration, fishing schedules, weigh-ins and awards, but there won’t be any of the former frills offered in the past, such as non-fishing contests, pageants, cookoffs, nor a carnival or concerts, according to the Lions’ website.

There will be $36,000 in prize money and trophies for top anglers.

For more information, call Tom Pearson at (979) 665-8424.

One feature that will remain in addition to the fishing tournament is the fireworks, which are scheduled on Saturday, July 5, about 9 p.m., and observers can watch from the large municipal park, located at 421 N. Brazosport Blvd., or from the surrounding area.

ALVIN

Alvin’s Fourth of July is similar to past years with the Alvin Community College Band playing from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. before fireworks are launched about 9 p.m., or at dark, from Briscoe Park, located off Hwy. 35.

The park will be closed to the public for safety reasons, but there are plenty of viewing and parking spaces around the college and park and the other side of the highway.

The college radio station, KACC at FM 89.9, will play patriotic music during the fireworks show, for those tuning in.

PEARLAND

Pearland’s Celebration of Freedom will be held Friday, July 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Independence Park, located at 3449 Pearland Parkway.

There will be live entertainment on the HEB stage, kids’ activities, food trucks, a craft market, a digital photo booth, face painting and strolling entertainers before the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

There will be a livestream of the event for those unable to attend - check the Pearland Parks & Recreation’s website.

The parks department suggests bringing a chair or/and blanket, sunscreen and bug spray. No pop-up canopies, oversized umbrellas or large tents are allowed as well as no pets in the city park during the event. The dog park at Independence Park will be closed the entire day.

Non-motorized vehicles, bikes, skateboards and wagons are allowed.

The Bulletin Family wishes your Family a Safe & Happy Holiday as we all celebrate our Freedoms!