The Brackenridge Independence Day Celebration will be held Saturday, July 6th at Brackenridge Park & Campground and is sponsored by the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority. This year’s event will include an Antique Tractor Show and Parade, a Kiddie Pedal Tractor Pull, the Ride’em-Push’em-Pull’em Parade, Watermelon Eating Contest, Family Watermelon Carving Contest,and Red, White, and Blue Dessert Family Bake-Off. This event is FREE to the public.
The Antique Tractor Show is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tractors on display are brought in by a proud group of individuals and families, all of whom have a common interest in collecting and restoring vintage agricultural equipment. Stick around for the TRACTOR PARADE AT 2 p.m!
The Kiddie Tractor Pull starts at 10 a.m. Kids from 3 to 8 are welcome to compete in the action packed, pedal tractor pull. Each tractor has been modified for heavy pulling and is attached to a weight transfer sled. The sled is filled with a certain amount of weight which is determined by the age of each participant. As kids pedal down the path, the weight in the bucket transfers up the sled and makes it harder to pedal. All participants are asked to pre-register at 9:30 a.m. Age Groups include 3-year-olds, 4-5 year olds, 6-7 year olds, and 8 year olds.
At the conclusion of the Kiddie Tractor Pull we will gather everyone for the Ride’em-Push’em-Pull’em Parade! Children and adults are encouraged to dress up and decorate their bicycles, strollers and wagons in patriotic colors and participate in this fun parade. We will be choosing one lucky person as our Best Decorative Winner. Back by popular demand is our Best Decorative Patriotic Pooch Award! Bring your fur baby and dress them in their best red, white, and blue attire and have them participate in the parade. The Parade is scheduled to start at approximately 11:00 a.m. at the Gator Golf Course parking area and conclude near Comfort Station #2.
At 12:00 p.m. we are hosting not one but two Watermelon Eating Contests! One round will be children ages 9-14 and the other is ADULTS ONLY! The contest will be held in the same area where the Ride’em-Push’em-Pull’em Parade ends and will be limited to 30 participants. Registration will begin 30 minutes prior to the start of the contest. For age group 9-14, there will be 3 heats of 10 participants with the winner of each heat moving on. In the final round, the first competitor who finished with their watermelon is the winner! In the adult heat, there will be 1 heat with 10 participants.
Back by popular demand is our Family Watermelon Carving Contest! Families will need to bring their already carved Watermelons to the Harry Hafernick Recreation Center Auditorium by 12:00 p.m. on event day to be judged. The top 3 best carved watermelons will receive prizes! The Family Watermelon Carving Contest is open to the public and FREE to enter!
Don’t forget about the Red, White, and Blue Family Dessert Competition! Families will need to bring their already prepared Red, White, and Blue Baked and/or None Baked Dessert item to the Harry Hafernick Recreation Center Auditorium by 12:00 p.m. on event day to be judged. The Red, White, and Blue Family Dessert Competition is open to the public and FREE to enter! There will be 1st - 3rd place awards for best taste and a 1st place winner for best presentation!
While judging is underway for the Watermelon and Dessert Competitions, cool off inside and join us in the Harry Hafernick Recreation Center Auditorium for Red, White, and Blue Bingo! Participants will be playing for Patriotic Swag! This activity is FREE and open to the public!
Bring an extra set of clothes because there will be 3 water slides available for all kiddos to enjoy from 10:00 - 2:00 pm by the Harry Hafernick Recreation Center parking lot!
The other contest is for our camping guests only…it is the Best Decorated Campsite or Cabin Contest! Guests are encouraged to decorate their site in patriotic colors with judging to take place at 12:30 p.m. One winner from each park will be chosen. We are looking forward to lots of festively decorated sites!
At 2:00 p.m. the Antique Tractor and Car Show Parade will wind thru Brackenridge Park and is a delight to all with the vast array of historic tractors. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and to line the parade route thru the park.
Brackenridge Park & Campground is located about 6 miles south of Edna on State Highway 111.For more information, please call (361) 782-5456 or visit www.brackenridgepark.com.