• Home
  • popular
  • Events
  • Submit New Event
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • News
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Home + Design
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Innovation
  • Sports
  • Charity Guide
  • children
  • education
  • health
  • veterans
  • SOCIAL SERVICES
  • ARTS + CULTURE
  • animals
  • lgbtq
  • New Charity
  • Series
  • Delivery Limited
  • DTX Giveaway 2012
  • DTX Ski Magic
  • dtx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Your Home in the Sky
  • DTX Best of 2013
  • DTX Trailblazers
  • Tastemakers Dallas 2017
  • Healthy Perspectives
  • Neighborhood Eats 2015
  • The Art of Making Whiskey
  • DTX International Film Festival
  • DTX Tatum Brown
  • Tastemaker Awards 2016 Dallas
  • DTX McCurley 2014
  • DTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • DTX Beyond presents Party Perfect
  • DTX Texas Health Resources
  • DART 2018
  • Alexan Central
  • State Fair 2018
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Zatar
  • CityLine
  • Vision Veritas
  • Okay to Say
  • Hearts on the Trinity
  • DFW Auto Show 2015
  • Northpark 50
  • Anteks Curated
  • Red Bull Cliff Diving
  • Maggie Louise Confections Dallas
  • Gaia
  • Red Bull Global Rally Cross
  • NorthPark Holiday 2015
  • Ethan's View Dallas
  • DTX City Centre 2013
  • Galleria Dallas
  • Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty Luxury Homes in Dallas Texas
  • DTX Island Time
  • Simpson Property Group SkyHouse
  • DIFFA
  • Lotus Shop
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Dallas
  • Clothes Circuit
  • DTX Tastemakers 2014
  • Elite Dental
  • Elan City Lights
  • Dallas Charity Guide
  • DTX Music Scene 2013
  • One Arts Party at the Plaza
  • J.R. Ewing
  • AMLI Design District Vibrant Living
  • Crest at Oak Park
  • Braun Enterprises Dallas
  • NorthPark
  • Victory Park
  • DTX Common Desk
  • DTX Osborne Advisors
  • DTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • DFW Showcase Tour of Homes
  • DTX Neighborhood Eats
  • DTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • DTX Auto Awards
  • Cottonwood Art Festival 2017
  • Nasher Store
  • Guardian of The Glenlivet
  • Zyn22
  • Dallas Rx
  • Yellow Rose Gala
  • Opendoor
  • DTX Sun and Ski
  • Crow Collection
  • DTX Tastes of the Season
  • Skye of Turtle Creek Dallas
  • Cottonwood Art Festival
  • DTX Charity Challenge
  • DTX Culture Motive
  • DTX Good Eats 2012
  • DTX_15Winks
  • St. Bernard Sports
  • Jose
  • DTX SMU 2014
  • DTX Up to Speed
  • st bernard
  • Ardan West Village
  • DTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Taste the Difference
  • Parktoberfest 2016
  • Bob's Steak and Chop House
  • DTX Smart Luxury
  • DTX Earth Day
  • DTX_Gaylord_Promoted_Series
  • IIDA Lavish
  • Huffhines Art Trails 2017
  • Red Bull Flying Bach Dallas
  • Y+A Real Estate
  • Beauty Basics
  • DTX Pet of the Week
  • Long Cove
  • Charity Challenge 2014
  • Legacy West
  • Wildflower
  • Stillwater Capital
  • Tulum
  • DTX Texas Traveler
  • Dallas DART
  • Soldiers' Angels
  • Alexan Riveredge
  • Ebby Halliday Realtors
  • Zephyr Gin
  • Sixty Five Hundred Scene
  • Christy Berry
  • Entertainment Destination
  • Dallas Art Fair 2015
  • St. Bernard Sports Duck Head
  • Jameson DTX
  • Alara Uptown Dallas
  • Cottonwood Art Festival fall 2017
  • DTX Tastemakers 2015
  • Cottonwood Arts Festival
  • The Taylor
  • Decks in the Park
  • Alexan Henderson
  • Gallery at Turtle Creek
  • Omni Hotel DTX
  • Red on the Runway
  • Whole Foods Dallas 2018
  • Artizone Essential Eats
  • Galleria Dallas Runway Revue
  • State Fair 2016 Promoted
  • Trigger's Toys Ultimate Cocktail Experience
  • Dean's Texas Cuisine
  • Real Weddings Dallas
  • Real Housewives of Dallas
  • Jan Barboglio
  • Wildflower Arts and Music Festival
  • Hearts for Hounds
  • Okay to Say Dallas
  • Indochino Dallas
  • Old Forester Dallas
  • Dallas Apartment Locators
  • Dallas Summer Musicals
  • PSW Real Estate Dallas
  • Paintzen
  • DTX Dave Perry-Miller
  • DTX Reliant
  • Get in the Spirit
  • Bachendorf's
  • Holiday Wonder
  • Village on the Parkway
  • City Lifestyle
  • opportunity knox villa-o restaurant
  • Nasher Summer Sale
  • Simpson Property Group
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2017 Dallas
  • Carlisle & Vine
  • DTX New Beginnings
  • Get in the Game
  • Red Bull Air Race
  • Dallas DanceFest
  • 2015 Dallas Stylemaker
  • Youth With Faces
  • Energy Ogre
  • DTX Renewable You
  • Galleria Dallas Decadence
  • Bella MD
  • Tractorbeam
  • Young Texans Against Cancer
  • Fresh Start Dallas
  • Dallas Farmers Market
  • Soldier's Angels Dallas
  • Shipt
  • Elite Dental
  • Texas Restaurant Association 2017
  • State Fair 2017
  • Scottish Rite
  • Brooklyn Brewery
  • DTX_Stylemakers
  • Alexan Crossings
  • Ascent Victory Park
  • Top Texans Under 30 Dallas
  • Discover Downtown Dallas
  • San Luis Resort Dallas
  • Greystar The Collection
  • FIG Finale
  • Greystar M Line Tower
  • Lincoln Motor Company
  • The Shelby
  • Jonathan Goldwater Events
  • Windrose Tower
  • Gift Guide 2016
  • State Fair of Texas 2016
  • Choctaw Dallas
  • TodayTix Dallas promoted
  • Whole Foods
  • Unbranded 2014
  • Frisco Square
  • Unbranded 2016
  • Circuit of the Americas 2018
  • The Katy
  • Snap Kitchen
  • Partners Card
  • Omni Hotels Dallas
  • Landmark on Lovers
  • Harwood Herd
  • Galveston.com Dallas
  • Holiday Happenings Dallas 2018
  • TenantBase
  • Cottonwood Art Festival 2018
  • Hawkins-Welwood Homes
  • The Inner Circle Dallas
  • Eating in Season Dallas
  • ATTPAC Behind the Curtain
  • TodayTix Dallas
  • The Alexan
  • Toyota Music Factory
  • Nosh Box Eatery
  • Wildflower 2018
  • Society Style Dallas 2018
  • Texas Scottish Rite Hospital 2018
  • 5 Mockingbird
  • 4110 Fairmount
  • Visit Taos
  • Allegro Addison
  • Dallas Tastemakers 2018
  • The Village apartments
  • City of Burleson Dallas

    Cue the sad songs

    Real-life local heavies make wake-scene cameos as Dallas lays J.R. Ewing to rest

    Elaine Liner
    Mar 11, 2013 | 11:46 pm

    This time J.R. Ewing really is dead. Episode 8 of the second season of Dallas on TNT put the character in the ground once and for all, with veteran cast members from ye olden days standing graveside: Steve Kanaly as Southfork ranch hand Ray Krebbs; Ray’s once-upon-a-time hayloft canoodling partner, Lucy Ewing, played again by Charlene Tilton; her daddy, Gary Ewing (Ted Shackelford); J.R.’s mistress, Mandy Winger (Deborah Shelton); and his last young bride, Cally (Cathy Podewell).

    It remains a mystery exactly who killed J.R. Was it a petty thief in Nuevo Laredo who broke into J.R.’s hotel room and shot him? Or did new Ewing nemesis Harris Ryland (Mitch Pileggi) have something to do with it?

    Exec producer Cynthia Cidre wrote this week’s script, titled “J.R.’s Masterpiece.” Directed by Michael M. Robin, it was certainly the strongest hour of the season so far (seven more episodes to go), featuring a heart-tugging emotional breakdown by Patrick Duffy as Bobby.

    Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban all uttered nice bits of dialogue.

    Linda Gray, the strongest player in this series reboot, turned in a beautiful performance with her reading of a letter from former hubby J.R. as she stood over his casket. Seems the ol’ rascal had fallen back in love with the former Miss Texas. His letter, delivered to Sue Ellen the day before he died, expressed apologies for all his misdeeds and asked if he could take her to dinner sometime.

    Gray’s tears were genuinely moving. She and actor Larry Hagman were close friends for 30 years, so she probably didn’t need to dig too far into The Method to feel her character’s grief. (Hagman died November 23, having completed five episodes this season.)

    More highs, lows and in-betweens:

    Sad songs: The slowed-down arrangement of the opening theme set the somber tone for this week’s send-off of the show’s central character. Sue Ellen’s visit to J.R.’s Southfork bedroom, where she caressed their wedding photo, was set to the bittersweet tune “The Bottom” by Houston singer-songwriter Charlie Robison. Lyrics: No need to worry about tomorrow/Cause you're not here/I'm going all the way down/To the bottom.

    As cast members old and new watched J.R.’s coffin lowered, the music was “Down to the River to Pray,” from the soundtrack to O, Brother, Where Art Thou? (Get it?)

    Nobody mentioned frackin’ methane: What this season of Dallas has lacked is exploration of personal relationships instead of all that phony passion for the exploration of oil and methane. Less shop talk and more family drama made this week’s show the kind of compelling experience for viewers that keeps us tuning in.

    Best line: “I’m a bit drunk now,” said Sue Ellen, standing at J.R.’s grave and admitting she fell off the wagon the night before. (Linda Gray at 72 is at least twice the actress she was 30 years ago.)

    Wake-up call: The wake for J.R. at Dallas Petroleum Club stirred up interesting new couplings. Sue Ellen flirted with brother-in-law Gary (though maybe just for oil lease reasons). And J.R.’s son, John Ross (Josh Henderson), engaged in some steamy smooch-fu with step-cousin Emma (Emma Webb) in the back seat of his (or somebody’s) car.

    Locals paying tribute: Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban all uttered nice bits of dialogue in their wake-scene cameos.

    J.R.’s favorite cocktail: Bourbon and Branch, which was served at the wake. Here’s the recipe.

    Damn, Pam: Before he was killed in Nuevo Laredo, J.R. had been in Abu Dhabi searching for Pamela Barnes Ewing, birth-mom to Christopher (Jesse Metcalf). This is where the new Dallas breaks the mythology of the old one. Pam, played back in the day by Victoria Principal, was shown being blown to smithereens in a car wreck with an oil tanker in series one’s episode 282.

    They made a half-baked attempt at bringing on a “new” Pam with a reconstructed face (played only once by Margaret Michaels), but even that Pam said she had only weeks to live. Because Principal has turned down all requests to reprise her role, it’s a mystery who will be playing the new-new Pamela Barnes Ewing.

    Coming up: Joan Van Ark returns at Gary’s wife, Valene. (They were the couple at the center of Dallas spin-off Knots Landing.) And Bobby has to reexamine his life and marriage in the post-J.R. universe.

    ---

    New episodes of Dallas air at 8 pm, Mondays on cable’s TNT, with frequent reruns.

    Steve Kanaly, Charlene Tilton and Patrick Duffy in the wake for J.R. Ewing at Southfork.

      
    Photo courtesy of TNT
    Steve Kanaly, Charlene Tilton and Patrick Duffy in the wake for J.R. Ewing at Southfork.
    unspecified
    news/entertainment

    most read posts

    Barnes & Noble to open 2 new Dallas-area stores but will close Plano

    Kwality Ice Cream shop to bring creamy exotic desserts to Frisco

    Celeb-owned L.A. pizza chain Pizzana to open in north Dallas

    Star-Spangled Celebrations

    Official list of 4th of July events and fireworks around Dallas in 2025

    Alex Bentley
    Jun 17, 2025 | 10:05 am
    Fair Park Fourth
    Photo courtesy of Fair Park
    undefined

    The Dallas area sure knows how to celebrate the 4th of July, with some kind of celebration taking place nearby no matter which city you call home. Some are big, some are relatively small, but all feature a great way to gather for Independence Day.

    With 4th of July falling on a Friday night, the celebrations start early in 2025, with events beginning the last weekend of June.

    We've gathered as close to a comprehensive list as there is can be of the big 4th of July-themed events happening in the Dallas area in 2025; for a list of Fort Worth-area events, click here.

    Saturday, June 28

    Ennis Freedom Fest
    Freedom Fest, presented by the City of Ennis, is a full-day event that features the Downtown Ennis Bluebonnet Market, the Red, White and Bike Parade, and an evening festival. The evening event features kids activities, music, food, and a fireworks show. Taking place at Veterans Memorial Park, the show begins at dark, but visitors must be in the park to see it.

    Town of Sunnyvale presents Red, White and Boom! Sunnyfest Celebration
    The Town of Sunnyvale will present their annual “Red, White and Boom!” Sunnyfest Celebration, featuring live music from country music artists Danielle Bradbery, who won season 4 of The Voice, and the Grammy-nominated David Nail. The event, taking place at Town Center Park, will also include fireworks, drone show, food, and family fun like bounce houses, a train ride, and games.

    Market Street Allen USA
    Market Street Allen USA is a summer party featuring music from Waterloo and Emerald City Band, food trucks, a skydiving show, and one of the best fireworks shows in Dallas-Fort Worth. While admission is free, all guests must have a ticket to enter Celebration Park, including infants and young children.

    Klyde Warren Park presents Independence Day Celebration
    4th of July events in Dallas proper get started with Klyde Warren Park's Independence Day Celebration, which will feature summer treats from a variety of food trucks, live music by Emerald City Band and DJ Richy Smart, family-fun games, and a pyrotechnic display for the grand finale.

    4th of July Celebration in Denton
    The 4th of July Celebration in Denton is a two-day event which starts with the annual Yankee Doodle Parade on June 28, featuring a variety of floats, organizations, and more. The parade takes place in and around Downtown Denton Square. On July 3, the Denton Noon Kiwanis Club will bring back the city’s fireworks show for Independence Day. Prior to the fireworks will be live music performances. That event takes place at the North Texas Fairgrounds.

    Tuesday, July 1

    Red White & Lewisville
    Red White & Lewisville, part of the Sounds of Lewisville series, will feature performances by The 8Tracks, a tribute to the icons of rock, and rising country star Kate Watson. The event will culminate with both a drone show and fireworks show. It takes place at Wayne Ferguson Plaza in Old Town Lewisville.

    Thursday, July 3

    City of Arlington presents Light Up Arlington
    Light Up Arlington is an Independence Day celebration that includes some of the top musical acts in Dallas-Fort Worth, vendors, food trucks, and kid-friendly fun. The evening ends with a big fireworks show. The event takes place in and around downtown Arlington.

    Lone Star Park presents Lone Stars & Stripes Celebration
    Lone Star Park's annual Lone Stars & Stripes Celebration on July 3 and 4 features live horse racing; live music on the Courtyard of Champions Stage from 3-9 pm, featuring The Mullet Boyz; family activities like a petting zoo, pony rides, face painters, airbrush tattoo artists, inflatable slides, obstacle course, and games. After the last race, there will be 20-minutes fireworks show, choreographed to music.

    Addison Kaboom Town!
    Addison Kaboom Town! is a townwide celebration, with watch parties hosted by many of the Town’s 200 restaurants. The official watch party at Addison Circle Park features food and drink vendors, musical entertainment, and family-friendly activities. The nationally-renowned fireworks show will be preceded by the Addison Airport Air Show, an aerial spectacle that can be seen from miles away. The air show will begin at 7:30 pm, two hours prior to the fireworks show.

    The Sound at Cypress Waters presents Sensory Sensitive 4th of July Celebration
    The Sound at Cypress Waters' annual Sensory Sensitive Fourth of July Celebration provides a fun and safe alternative to people and pets who deal with noise sensitivity. Traditional fireworks are replaced with LED bracelets that synchronize to create a dynamic and immersive light display. The event will also include a concert by Reputation, a Taylor Swift tribute band, a Dallas Symphony Orchestra Petting Zoo, arts and crafts, face painting, balloon art, a pet parade, and more.

    City of Garland presents Red, White & You
    The City of Garland's Red, White & You is an Independence Day celebration featuring live music, games for all ages, and fireworks. Performers will include Q the Band and American Bombshells. There will also be a variety of carnival rides, a bunch of food trucks, a pie eating contest, an outdoor skating rink, a fun house maze, and more. The event takes place in Garland City Square.

    Frisco Freedom Fest
    Frisco Freedom Fest will be a two-day event, starting on July 3 at Kaleidoscope Park with a night of fun, including the Party in the U.S.A. 5K race, a pet festival, cornhole tournament, and a drone show. It continues on July 4 at Simpson Plaza with with live music, a car show, kids activities & amusements, and a 20-minute fireworks show following the FC Dallas game against Minnesota United FC.

    City of Irving presents Sparks & Stripes
    The City of Irving's annual Independence Day celebration is a two-day event, featuring an evening event with live music, fireworks, drones, and more at Levy Event Plaza on July 3. It will be followed by a morning parade throughout the Irving's Heritage District on July 4, featuring marching bands, floats, and all things red-white-and-blue.

    City of Carrollton presents Independence Day Fireworks Show
    The City of Carrollton's annual Independence Day Fireworks Show takes place over Josey Ranch Lake. Residents are encouraged to view the fireworks from surrounding neighborhoods or from one of the available parking areas. There will be no on-site event; however, viewing from the grassy area around the site is allowed.

    Friday, July 4

    Arlington Independence Day Parade
    The Arlington Independence Day Parade is the oldest event in Arlington and one of the largest 4th of July parades in Texas. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the 2025 theme is “Shining Bright Since ’65, Arlington Independence Day Parade, Diamond Jubilee.” The parade, which features 120 entries, steps off at the intersection of West St. and Mitchell St., traveling around downtown Arlington.

    The Colony Parks & Recreation Department presents Liberty by the Lake
    The annual Liberty by the Lake is a daylong event that starts in the morning with the Liberty 5K, 10K & Mile Fun Run and Independence Day Parade. The main evening event at The Colony Five Star Complex features games, a watermelon eating contest, rides, food, live music, and more. The night will end with a fireworks show set to patriotic music.

    Dallas Winds presents "Star-Spangled Spectacular"
    Dallas Winds' annual "Star-Spangled Spectacular" is a red, white, and blue musical salute to mom, apple pie, and the American way, Dallas Winds style. There will be hot dogs, ice cream, and indoor fireworks. The event takes place at Meyerson Symphony Center.

    City of Rowlett presents Fireworks on Main
    The City of Rowlett's Fireworks on Main will feature a dazzling fireworks display, a performances by Emerald City Band, kids activities and games, food trucks, and more. The event takes place at Pecan Grove Park.

    Little Elm presents July Jubilee
    A year after essentially being flooded out, Little Elm's July Jubilee returns with a full event at Little Elm Park. The event will feature a performance by Empire6, on-site food trucks and bars, and a fireworks show over Lewisville Lake.

    Fair Park Fourth
    The biggest event in Dallas proper, Fair Park Fourth features hands-on activities for kids, local market vendors, live music, entertainment, food trucks, and other concession offerings. The event ends with a spectacular firework show, which guests can experience from across Fair Park. Indoor cooling areas will be available.

    Monument Realty PGA District presents Fireworks on the Fairway
    The annual Fireworks on the Fairway will feature live music by party band Downtown Fever, carnival games, food trucks, face painting, and more. The celebration will include a modern drones show followed by a traditional fireworks show. The event takes place at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort.

    The City of Plano presents All American 4th
    At Plano’s All American 4th, visitors can enjoy free games, a parade by The Rotary Clubs of Plano, and food from a wide variety of vendors and food trucks. The event culminates with a fireworks show over Oak Point Park, with music simulcast on 97.5 KLAK.

    Grapevine presents July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza
    The City of Grapevine may not put on a festival-style event like other cities, but their annual July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza is still a great spectacle, featuring fireworks shot of over Lake Grapevine, set to patriotic music. There will be a variety of viewing locations at or near the lake; locations will be announced in the weeks leading up to July 4.

    Saturday, July 5

    The Village Dallas presents Boots, Bites & Lights
    The fun doesn't stop on July 4: The Village Dallas will present Boots, Bites & Lights, featuring live country music, local artisan vendors, classic lawn games, and family-friendly activities, all leading up to a drone light show. Guests can enjoy smoked meats and signature bites from B4 Barbeque & Boba from Mabank, TX.

    holidayskidsfamiliesmusicfairs-festivalsevent-planner
    news/entertainment
    Loading...