July 4 celebration at San Gabriel Park
The 41st annual Sertoma Club Family July 4 Celebration and fireworks display will be held at San Gabriel Park Thursday, July 4. The event is sponsored by the Georgetown Sertoma Club with assistance from the City of Georgetown.
Activities begin at 10 a.m. at San Gabriel Park. The festival includes live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, a petting zoo, games, and rides for children and adults. The event concludes with a firework show at about 9:30 p.m.
Admission to the event is free; however, there are fees for some children’s activities.
“The Sertoma Club of Georgetown and the City of Georgetown invite you to join us in the beautiful San Gabriel Park located on the San Gabriel River,” Sertoma Club President Jim Wilson said. “This year’s 41st celebration sponsored by Sertoma is partnering with FREEDOM FUN to bring you new and exciting experiences in games, a petting farm, train rides, and many activities, plus more and affordable pricing in wrist bands and individual rides. With an increase in the number of food and craft vendors, we have something for everyone. Classic car and Model A displays and other, new items to be announced. Our stage will have entertainment starting at 10 a.m. Bring your chairs, enjoy the fun, and stay for the fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m.”
Hometown parade
The July 4th Hometown Parade in San Gabriel Park begins at 11 a.m. at the low water crossing near the College Street bridge and ends at the large pavilion. Participants should gather at 10:30 a.m. at the low water crossing. Kids are encouraged to decorate their wagons or bicycles for the parade. The annual parade is sponsored by the Sun Rise Rotary Club and Vera Bank.
The fireworks display begins at about 9:30 p.m. High Altitude Fireworks will be launched from the McMaster Athletic Fields on North College Street. Fireworks can be viewed from San Gabriel Park, VFW Park, and other areas in Georgetown. The best entrance to San Gabriel Park for the event is via Morrow Street on North Austin Avenue. Please do not bring dogs to the fireworks show.
Parking
There is limited parking in San Gabriel Park. Attendees also are encouraged to park at Georgetown High School and carpool to San Gabriel Park. Limited handicapped parking is available in the designated area in San Gabriel Park.
Both the McMaster Fields parking lot and the Parks and Recreation Administration parking lot at North College Street and W.L. Walden Drive will be closed on July 4 due to their proximity to the fireworks fall zone.
College Street and McMaster Fields closure
Due to the fireworks fall zone, North College Street will be closed from about 8 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 4, between the traffic circle and Holly Street. Parking, standing, or sitting along that segment of North College Street will not be permitted during this time.
The McMaster Athletic Fields will be closed all day Thursday, July 4.
Several City offices also will be closed for the holiday.
Personal fireworks prohibited
By City of Georgetown ordinance, fireworks are not allowed in the city limits of Georgetown or within 5,000 feet of the city limits, unless they are used in a permitted display authorized by the Georgetown Fire Department. This area outside city limits includes, but is not limited to, the neighborhoods of Cedar Hollow, Crystal Knoll, Escalera, Fountainwood, Indian Creek, Logan Ranch Road, Lost Rivers, Oak Crest, Olde Oak Estates, Serenada, Shady Oaks, Turtle Bend, and Woodland Park, and areas along D.B Wood Road.
Violations can lead to fines of up to $2,000 per firework. To view a map showing the 5,000-foot boundary, go to Georgetown fireworks ban area map.
Additionally, please make sure your dog is secure inside your home, particularly during the evenings of the holiday weekend. Georgetown animal control officers pickup several loose dogs around the Fourth of July and New Year’s holidays, many of whom are never reunited with their owners.
