Fourth of July in Texoma has already begun. Last weekend, area communities celebrated with concerts, fireworks, community events and so much more. This weekend, the celebrations continue with Lights on the Lake set for Thursday, the Independence Day celebration in Denison on Friday and the Fourth of July Sounds of Summer concert in Van Alstyne Saturday evening.
The Lights on the Lake fun starts at 4 p.m. Thursday at Pecan Grove West in Sherman when the park opens. There will be vendors and entertainment on site.
Stone Temple Pilots are expected to take the stage at 7:30 p.m., and fireworks are expected to begin at 9:30 p.m.
Last year’s Lights on the Lake 15th anniversary Fourth of July celebration was the biggest yet with nearly 14,000 people in attendance at the park. The number of individuals watching the show from area neighborhoods is unknown.
This is the fifth concert as part of Sherman’s annual free concert series, Hot Summer Nights. Hoping to top the crowds that came out to Kidd-Key Lawn, last week’s Eli Young Band concert was predicted to be the biggest concert of the year with an emphasis on the love of country music in Texoma.
“I predict that June 26 will be our biggest show, crowd-wise, of the season,” Sherman Main Street Director Sarah McRae said back in April. “They are a huge name in country music and our country shows do typically bring in the biggest crowds.”
McRae also said organizers are planning a bigger celebration for Lights on the Lake this year than in previous years.
STP formed in San Diego in 1989 and were a breakout band in the grunge movement of the early 90s. Perdida, the band’s most recent album, was released in early 2020.”
Then on Friday, the city of Denison will host its annual Independence Day celebration at 7 p.m. at Munson Stadium.
“As most of you know, Denison Fire Rescue puts on our annual 4th of July Fireworks show every year! It’s incredibly unique to have our own pyrotechnicians on staff and they have a lengthy, visual process for setting up the entire show,” Denison officials said this week in a news release. “In summary, they connect each shell to their electronic system. Once that process is complete, the show is essentially run from an iPad.”
The fireworks will begin at dusk.
This is the 38th year of this free event that will feature vendors on site and live music performed by Greg Guymon for the city’s fifth Music on Main concert of the season.
The city will be enforcing a clear bag policy for the evening. Coolers and outside food are not allowed in the stadium. There is an exception for unopened bottles of water. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Animals are not allowed in the stadium.
If you are looking for a weekend event to attend, the city of Van Alstyne’s annual fireworks show will also be on Friday evening. This event starts at dusk at Van Alstyne Junior High School. Individuals are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the show.
But, that is not all for Van Alstyne. The heroes themed Sounds of Summer free concert will take place Saturday evening. This show at 7:30 p.m. will feature William Clark Green.
This family-friendly event will be held at Central Social District. There will be food trucks on site.
“Before the music kicks off, we’ll honor our 2025 Hometown Hero in partnership with the American Legion James Adams Post 376,” information about the event said. “This year’s recipient was born and raised right here in Van Alstyne and served our nation proudly in the U.S. Air Force.”
Individuals are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers to the concert, but no glass is allowed in the park. As there are many concrete surfaces where glass could break, no glass is allowed in the park
