The Brackenridge Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks will be held Saturday, July 3rd 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 Obstacle Course Competition, DJ Dance and a Fireworks Show! This event is FREE to the public.
The Antique Tractor Show is from 9 a.m. to 5 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 that range from a variety of small and large hit & miss engines including John Deere, Farmall, International, Ford, Massey-Ferguson, Minneapolis-Moline, Case, Allis-Chalmers, and more. This event gives today's generation a view of the machinery that once tilled the fields of America.
The Kiddie Tractor Pull starts at 10 a.m. Kids from three to eight 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 preregister 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. It is scheduled to start at approximately 11:30 a.m. at the Gator Golf Course parking area and conclude near Comfort Station #2. All participants will receive a free patriotic item while supplies last plus we will be choosing one winner as The Best Decorated!
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 12:00 p.m. One winner from each park will be chosen. Results will be communicated with the winners as soon as judging is complete. We are looking forward to lots of festively decorated sites!
At 1:30 p.m. we are hosting the Watermelon Eating Contest for children ages 9-14. The contest will be held on the stage and will be limited to 30 participants. Registration will be taken at the stage 30 minutes prior to the start of the contest. We are planning 4 heats of 10 participants with the winner of each heat moving on. One winner will be chosen during the final round of the competition!
At 2:30 p.m. the Antique Tractor 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. Many of the tractors are festively decorated for the Independence Day holiday and definitely a sight you won't want to miss!
Back by popular demand at 5:00 p.m. is our Family Obstacle Course Competition! The course is located inside of Brackenridge Park at the playground area between the pull thru sites and the first camping circle. There will be 8 stations set up and ready for competitors to take on the challenge! The first station will be the famous “American Ninja Warrior Steps” followed by a sack race, tire race, army crawl, wall climb, swaying steps on a wooden bridge, balance beam, and it finishes with a hay slide! Each team must consist of 5 members. Participants must be 6 years of age or older. So, round up the kids, parents, and maybe even the grandparents to build your team. Registration forms will be available online at www.brackenridgepark.com/independenceday or you may pick up a registration form at the Brackenridge Park Office. We will start accepting pre-registration forms one week prior to the event at the Brackenridge Park Office. On-site registration for the competition will start at 4:30 p.m. at the Obstacle Course. The top 3 teams with the fastest completion time will win medals for the entire group! If you want to show off your patriotic side… we will be giving an award to the team that we deem as most patriotic! This activity is a fan favorite, so gather up your friends and family for some good ole competitive fun!
Starting at approximately 7 p.m., a DJ will be set up on the main stage with a dance to begin and will provide a great mix of music for those in attendance. The DJ also provides a nice medley of patriotic music during the fireworks show. The dance will conclude at approximately 11 p.m.
The FREE Fireworks Show at Brackenridge Park & Campground has taken on a life of its own over the years. It is scheduled to start just after 9 p.m. The beautiful fireworks display utilizes a wide variety of fireworks effects for maximum impact and audience appeal. Visitors can best view the event by parking in the grassy field across from the Harry Hafernick Recreation Center. The fireworks can be heard echoing throughout the surrounding area to celebrate all our nation has accomplished and continues to stand for. We invite you to bring your family and come enjoy a full day of fun at the Brackenridge Park & Campground!
Trevino Concessions Food Truck and Texas Shaved Ice will be on-site selling your favorite event foods and snacks!
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.