Valley readies for Fourth of July

McALLEN — If Homer Gallegos had his way, Americans would be more cognizant of the rights they have earned - and the sacrifices their countrymen have made.

Gallegos, a retired member of the U.S. Air Force who served in Vietnam, will be among those celebrating Independence Day on Saturday as he takes in the city's festivities.

"Every day should be the Fourth of July," Gallegos said. "Every day should be Veterans Day. Every day should be Memorial Day. Every morning we breathe that air - some people take it for granted."

For those who want to celebrate the 233rd anniversary of the country's independence, there will be no shortage of options this weekend.

SALUTING EVERYDAY HEROES

Crews are already preparing for the city of McAllen's Fourth of July celebrations, which are themed "Saluting Everyday Heroes."

Festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. with a parade featuring more than 140 floats, antique cars and marching groups. The parade begins downtown at the intersection of Jackson Avenue and Main Street and concludes at Archer Park, 100 N. Main St.

Archer Park will host music, food and games until 3 p.m. Then, festivities shift to Municipal Park, 1921 N. Bicentennial Blvd., for a carnival until 9 p.m.

The city's Municipal Pool, also at 1921 N. Bicentennial Blvd., will host the Aquafest Water Show at 6:30 p.m., which will include trick driving and splash contests.

Then, at 9.p.m., the city hosts its well-known fireworks celebration.

Frank Plummer, a retired U.S. Army colonel who won a Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam, will be among those participating in the parade. He will be part of a contingent from the executive committee of the Veterans War Memorial of Texas, which is located at the intersection of South 29th Street and Galveston Avenue, near the McAllen Convention Center.

He said events like the Fourth of July are especially important in the Rio Grande Valley, where many people have servicemen and servicewomen in their families.

"This is the seat of patriotism down here," Plummer said.

Mike Hernandez, the city's interim parks and recreation director, said the parade will go on, regardless of the weather.

"It's not going to rain on our parade," he said.

HIGH STEAKS

While those in McAllen will celebrate independence with parades and shows, people in Edinburg can do so by chowing down on some meat.

Starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, more than 40 teams will start setting up at Edinburg Municipal Park, 714 S. Raul Longoria Road, for Texas Cook'em.

Now in its fourth year, the annual cook-off has set aside $15,000 in prize money for teams grilling up steak, chicken, pork spare ribs and brisket.

The event is open to the public and is set to run from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is $10 per vehicle.

Live music, a children's area and free pony rides will also be on hand. The cook-off will include a fireworks show at 9:15 p.m.

BURGERS AND BREWS

For those who want to venture a bit out of the way, La Joya's Rancho El Charco, an outdoor bar and grill set on a lake at a 150-acre ranch at 416 N. Kika de la Garza Blvd., will host a fireworks show at 10 p.m. Saturday.

For $10, guests get a hamburger or two hot dogs, chips and lemonade. Three bars will be open at the venue.

"We're stocking up beer to the second floor," said Marco Eichner, a spokesman for the venue.

The bar and grill will also host live music from 7 p.m. until midnight, and wagon rides - where guests may encounter deer, javelinas and peacocks - are available for $6.

SPEECHES AND STOCK CARS

The McAllen Tea Party - a group of fiscally conservative voters - plans to have a July Fourth celebration at Rio Grande Speedway. The 1/4-mile dirt track is located on the east side of South 10th Street, 3.9 miles south of Expressway 83, between the canal on the south side of McAllen and the intersection of South 10th and Dicker Drive.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Saturday, and the evening will feature live music. Starting at 5 p.m., Tea Partiers will perform a reading of the U.S. Declaration of Independence featuring people in period costumers dressed as the document's signers.

They also will honor area veterans during one portion of the event.

The group plans on having informational booths, signs, protests and petitions geared toward criticizing what it sees as wasteful spending in Washington.

The group's event ends at 6:30 p.m., with races starting at 7:30 p.m.

A fireworks display is scheduled for 9 p.m.

Plummer, the veteran colonel, said whatever residents do on the Fourth, he hopes they will remember the significance of the day.

"I think the Fourth of July is the most important date we have in the history of America," he said. "I feel so strongly about it, how those signers (of the Declaration of Independence) gave up almost everything. They lost their land. Their houses were burned. Where could we find someone today who would do that? They took a fantastic chance."

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Ryan Holeywell covers McAllen, PSJA, the Mid-Valley and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.