Communities to host July 4 festivities
By LAURA CHILDRESS

After last year’s Independence Day celebrations were rained out, area municipalities are looking forward to a festive Fourth of July.

Oak Point will kick off the day next Friday, July 4, with its annual Independence Day Celebration.

The fun will begin with a parade at 10 a.m. that will begin in the Crescent Oaks subdivision and end at the community park Jake’s Place (next to city hall). Parade line-up begins at 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of Stagecoach and Muleta.

The 2008 Citizen of the Year will be recognized at 10:30.

Games and activities for kids of all ages will follow from 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Activities will include crafts, music, a hula hoop contest, tug-of-war, horseshoe pitching, face tattoos, a water slide and pick-up softball and basketball games.

Free food and drinks, including brisket sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, tea, lemonade and water, will be served from 11:30 to 1 p.m. in the community room.

Volunteers, donations and business sponsors are needed. Booth spaces are also available.

To volunteer or for more information, call city hall at 972-294-2312.

Little Elm will continue the festivities with its July Jubilee beginning at 4 p.m. in Little Elm Park.

The event will include a wide variety of vendors, live entertainment, and an entire children’s area. The July Jubilee event will end with a spectacular fireworks show over Lake Lewisville.

Town officials note that no public parking will be allowed in the park because of ongoing construction.

Instead, residents may park and ride shuttles from one of four locations: Little Elm High School, Chavez Elementary, Little Elm Junior High and Little Elm Athletic Stadium. The athletic stadium has been designated as the main area for handicapped parking, with a handicapped equipped bus to assist those in need of this transportation.

Shuttle service will be provided by Durham Transportation and run from 3:30 p.m. until after the conclusion of the fireworks.