Social Distancing Celebrations

The official list of top 4th of July events and fireworks around Dallas-Fort Worth

The coronavirus pandemic has taken its toll on Fourth of July celebrations in Dallas-Fort Worth, but a few fireworks displays will still take place.

Photo by Iam Kluft

As it has with all events, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has taken its toll on this year's Fourth of July celebrations around Dallas-Fort Worth. The vast majority of events have either fully canceled or called off the portions that would involve people gathering together in one place.

Fortunately for fireworks lovers, there will still be a few explosive shows to enjoy from a safe distance. Check out the list below for full details on what each event plans to do in this uncommon year.

Addison: The fireworks of Kaboom Town will take place as usual on July 3, but the watch party at Addison Circle Park has been canceled. Viewers are encouraged to watch the show from home or other locations. Kaboom Town will also stream the show live on social media. (UPDATE: Due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in Dallas County, officials have decided to move the fireworks out of the city to an undisclosed location. They will livestream the show on Addison’s You Tube Channel on July 3 at 9:30 pm and on CW33 on July 4.)

Allen: While Market Street Allen USA at Celebration Park in Allen on June 29 was canceled, the city will present Spirit in the Sky, a 25-minute show launched from the corner of W. Exchange Parkway and N. Watters Road. The show, taking place on July 3 at 9:30 pm, will use larger shells that will deploy higher in the sky, ensuring the fireworks can be seen from at least one mile away. Residents are encouraged to watch the show from their own homes or vehicles; parking near the site, on main roads, or in residential neighborhoods will not be allowed. Music will be simulcast by 97.5 KLAK.

Arlington: While Light Up Arlington was canceled, the city will launch fireworks from Globe Life Field on July 3 at 9:30 pm. Texas Rangers Lots B, C, F, M and N, Dallas Cowboys Lot 4, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor parking lots, and Arlington Convention Center parking lot will be open for viewing. Social distancing and masks are encouraged. Viewers can tune in to 95.9 FM The Ranch for a music simulcast.

Colleyville: The city will hold its annual Stars and Guitars as usual on June 26, but with a different look due to the social distancing guidelines. The event will now be held at at Colleyville City Park and attendees are encouraged to tailgate or bring blankets and/or lawn chairs to enjoy music by DJ KB and fireworks.There will also be food trucks on site. An FM station will be designated to listen to the music in cars if you prefer, and with the city saying it will not enforce Tarrant County's recent requirement of face masks, staying in your car might be the best choice if you choose to attend.

The Colony: The city's annual Liberty By The Lake festival has been canceled, but they will still put on a fireworks show on July 4 at 9:30 pm. Residents will be allowed to park in the vicinity of The Colony Five Star Complex to watch the fireworks from the safety and comfort of their cars. The fireworks music will be available through 99.9 FM. There will be no other on-site activities or amenities available, such as live music, food trucks, or restrooms.

Fort Worth: The festival portion of Fort Worth's Fourth at Panther's Island Pavilion has been canceled, but the fireworks will still be launched on July 4. The community is asked to watch the fireworks from the comfort of their home, backyard, or balcony. There will not be vehicular access to areas near the venue. The show will be larger and taller this year so it can be seen from a distance. Residents can tune into 95.9 FM The Ranch to listen to the music choreographed to the fireworks show.

Frisco: The annual Frisco Freedom Fest has been canceled, but the city will still launch fireworks from Toyota Stadium at 9:30 pm on July 4. Four FC Dallas parking lots - the Tundra Platinum, Camry Gold Lot, Corolla Red Lots, and Highlander Green Lots - will be available to the public for viewing. All patrons are encouraged to stay in their vehicles; anyone who goes outside their vehicles is encouraged to social distance at least six feet from people not in their party.

Dallas: Klyde Warren Park's annual Independence Day celebration on June 27, has been canceled in the interest of public safety. A fireworks display will be visible that evening, as a limited number of frontline healthcare workers and their families are invited to the recording of a KTVT-CBS 11 television special in their honor. In partnership with the City of Dallas, a Fireworks Salute to Healthcare Heroes will be recorded that evening and broadcast to the community at 9:30 pm on Saturday, July 4.

Granbury: The 46th annual Hood County Hometown July 4th Celebration will go on as scheduled on July 3 and 4, but both the Vendors on the Square and Hometown Parade portions will be at 50 percent capacity.

Grapevine: The 38th Annual 4th of July celebration over Lake Grapevine will take place as usual, with viewing spots available around the lake.

Plano:Plano's All-American Fourth fireworks display will still take place, but with no accompanying festival for spectators. The fireworks will be launched from Lavon Farms near Plano Event Center, a higher location than the normal launch point of Oak Point Park, and the fireworks will be set to go off at a higher altitude, allowing Plano residents to see the fireworks from farther way. Viewers are encouraged to view the fireworks from their own homes, vehicles, or neighborhoods. A simulcast of patriotic music will be available on 97.5 KLAK.

Sunnyvale: The festival portion of the city's annual Sunnyfest has been canceled, but the fireworks will still be launched on July 3 from Town Center Park. Residents are asked to watch the show from their homes or other locations.

Fully canceled events include the following:

Red White & Boom in Dallas (July 3)
Lone Stars & Stripes Celebration at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie (July 3 and 4)
Fair Park Fourth at Fair Park in Dallas (July 4)
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Concerts in the Garden: Old-Fashioned Family Fireworks Picnic (July 2-4)
Denton Noon Kiwanis Club's 4th of July Fireworks Show at Apogee Stadium (July 4)
City of Irving's Independence Day Celebration (July 4) - the city will try to launch fireworks at a to-be-determined future date
Firewheel Town Center's Star Spangled Spectacular in Garland (July 4)
Castle Hills Village Shops & Plaza's July 4th Freedom Festival in Lewisville (July 4)

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Dallas Cowboys News

Metal roof piece at Cowboys' AT&T Stadium in Arlington falls on field

AT&T Stadium Facebook

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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A piece of the roof at the home of the Dallas Cowboys fell to the field while the retractable portion of it was being opened at least three hours before a 34-10 loss to Houston on Monday night, officials said.

AT&T Stadium was mostly empty when the incident occurred, and team officials said nobody was injured. The roof was closed without incident about an hour later.

Officials said winds gusting to 30 mph during the day contributed to the incident, which was being reviewed to ensure the roof can be opened safely at some point in the future. The roof hasn’t been opened for a Cowboys game in their $1.2 billion stadium since the 2022 season.

“I know we opened it long before any fans or anybody is in there,” owner Jerry Jones said after the game. “The reason they do that is to make sure everything is working to avoid those kinds of risks if there’s any fans or anybody in here.”

Jones said there wasn’t any risk in going on with the game, which meant a delay or postponement wasn’t a consideration.

“They wouldn’t have done this game, or started this game, had there been any risk at all,” Jones said. “Not only the NFL wouldn’t, but I wouldn’t if there was any risk at all. And there was no risk at all when we started the game.”

The arches that support the roof are nearly 300 feet above the field at their highest point. The 80,000-seat venue opened in 2009.The falling debris came a little more than a week after Dallas receiver CeeDee Lamb said the sun was in his eyes on a throw he didn’t react to in the end zone in a 34-6 loss to Philadelphia.

AT&T Stadium has an unusual east-west alignment from end zone to end zone, as opposed to most venues being north-south. On clear days, the sun shines through the large glass windows on the west side during the first half of games that kick off in the afternoon.

There is usually a call for curtains on the west side of the stadium when the sun becomes an issue, but Jones says he won’t put up curtains. He says both teams have to deal with the sun.

When AT&T Stadium hosted the Super Bowl in 2011, six workers were injured when ice and snow fell from the roof. The event was plagued by a historic ice storm that gripped the Dallas area for days.

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