Unforgettable 4th Of July Festivals Rocking Lubbock And Odessa

This 4th of July is going to be PACKED with massive events and festivities across West Texas, and the City of Odessa has joined the action.

July 4th City Celebrations

You better get your calendar ready, because there are so many plans you can make either solo or with the family around the area.

Lubbock's 4th on Broadway

First of all, I invite everyone around Lubbock to attend the annual 4th on Broadway. If you're a fan of parades, live music, great food, and a super fun family-friendly atmosphere, then this is right up your alley.

4th on Broadway kicks off this Saturday at 9:45 a.m. with a parade traveling east down Broadway. The day continues with a Picnic Under the Stars from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by an evening concert. Oh, and we can't forget about the main course: a fireworks show to round out the day!

For the full list of performers and event times, visit the 4th on Broadway page on the Lubbock Civic Center's website.

Odessa's Firecracker Fandango

If you can't or, for some strange reason, don't want to attend Lubbock's 4th of July festivities, then perhaps Odessa's massive event will suit your fancy.

It's called Firecracker Fandango, and the City of Odessa has been organizing this huge celebration for nearly 30 years now.

You can see the full scope of what's in store on the event's website, but essentially, this is what you can look forward to:

Watermelon eating contest
Live band performances
Axe throwing
A car show
Dunk tank and foam pit
A mechanical bull

Of course, it wouldn't be a proper Independence Day celebration without fireworks, and those will be out in full force in Odessa this weekend starting at 10 p.m.

Also, attendees are invited to sign up for the Passport Experience for a chance to win some awesome City of Odessa swag.

I hope everyone has a fun and safe 4th of July weekend, wherever you choose to spend it!

How Do Fireworks Get Their Colors?

Besides being a fun fact to impress your friends during the finale, knowing what makes fireworks work is a reminder of just how intertwined our daily lives are with Earth’s natural resources. Some of these minerals are considered critical commodities, meaning they’re vital to modern life and can be difficult to source.

So the next time you see a shimmering white sparkle or a deep red bloom over the Mohawk River, you’ll know: there's real science, and some pretty rare elements behind all that beauty.

It all comes down to chemistry. When fireworks are launched, metallic compounds, also called mineral elements, are heated to really hot temperatures. And as they burn, they emit specific colors of light.

The more complex the mix, the more dazzling the display.

Gallery Credit: Unsplash/TSM

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Gallery Credit: Renee Raven

Executed Death Row Inmates Convicted In Lubbock County Part 1

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Gallery Credit: Renee Raven

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