PHOTO: An American flag is displayed during the City of Victoria’s Fourth of July fireworks show in 2023. The fireworks show will be at Riverside Park this year.
The City of Victoria Parks & Recreation is teaming up with several community partners to celebrate the United States’ birthday as well as Victoria’s birthday.
The Bicentennial 4th of July Blastoff will be celebrated at the Riverside Park Special Events Area (near Riverside Stadium) and surrounding areas of the park.
The event is sponsored by the City of Victoria, the Victoria Generals, the Texas Zoo and C&C Productions.
Friendly competition
PHOTO: Children fish in the Riverside Park duck pond during a youth fishing clinic March 14. The City will host a youth fishing clinic at the duck pond as part of the Bicentennial 4th of July Blastoff.
The celebration will begin at 7:30 a.m. as the Victoria Area Road Runner Association hosts the VAARA Firecracker 5K Race starting at the Riverside Stadium parking lot
Parks & Recreation will host a beach volleyball tournament starting at 9 a.m. at the Riverside Park Special Events Area.
The City will also host a youth fishing clinic 9-11 a.m. at the Riverside Park duck pond. Anglers aged 14 and under are welcome to participate. A limited number of poles will be provided, or anglers may bring their own equipment. Winners will be recognized for catching the heaviest fish and the longest fish.
Riverside Golf Course will host a 9-hole scramble at 4 p.m.
Golden Crescent Disc Golf Club, OneStar Disc Golf and Parks & Recreation will host a doubles disc golf tournament at 5 p.m. at the Fox Bend course.
Signup information for these events will be provided at www.victoriatx.gov/registration in the coming weeks.
Fun for the whole family
PHOTO: Residents visit a car show during the City of Victoria’s Fourth of July celebration in 2023. This year’s celebration, which will be held at Riverside Park, will also include a car show.
The Texas Zoo will host a giant inflatable waterslide 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The cost of the slide is $1 in addition to the normal zoo entry fee.
Parks & Recreation and the Victoria Generals will host baseball activities at Riverside Stadium 4-8:30 p.m.
A kids’ zone featuring inflatables and a photo booth will be at Riverside Stadium starting at 5 p.m.
Also starting at 5 p.m., Parks & Recreation will host a car show at Riverside Stadium. To sign up for the car show, visit www.victoriatx.gov/registration.
Foamed Up will host a foam party 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Lowe Field.
Food and vendors
PHOTO: Residents visit food trucks during the City of Victoria’s Fourth of July celebration in 2023. This year’s celebration, which will be held at Riverside Park, will also include food trucks and vendors.
Food trucks and vendors will be on-site throughout the event starting at 4 p.m. To sign up as a food truck or vendor, visit www.victoriatx.gov/registration.
The Victoria Generals will sell beer during the event. Residents may not bring ice chests to the event.
Live music
The music lineup for the event is as follows:
- 4 p.m.: Pat Matula and the Lone Star Playboys
- 5:30 p.m.: Rick Evans
- 7:30 p.m.: Joel Nava
Following the fireworks show, there will be acoustic performances by Stephanie Ross & the Southern Drive Band at the Special Events Area and by another artist, yet to be announced, at Riverside Stadium.
Fireworks show blasts off
PHOTO: This map shows the parking areas that will offer the best view of the Bicentennial 4th of July Blastoff fireworks show. The red markers indicate gates that will be closed to vehicular traffic during the event.
The fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m. The fireworks will be launched from Riverside Stadium and will be visible throughout the park.
Residents are welcome to park throughout Riverside Park to view the show. Residents may not park on the grass, except in overflow parking areas designated by Victoria Parks & Recreation.
Street closures
Starting at 7 a.m., McCright Drive will close between its north and south intersections with Memorial Drive (from the Easter Island head statue to the intersection near The Texas Zoo).
The Athey Nature Trail will close to pedestrian traffic within the park during this time.
Stay connected
To register for the car show or the sporting events, or to sign up as a food truck or vendor, visit www.victoriatx.gov/registration.
For more information, contact the Parks & Recreation office at 361-485-3200 or parks@victoriatx.gov.