NO FIREWORKS ON THE FOURTH AT WASHINGTON-ON-THE-BRAZOS
Officials with Washington-on-the-Brazos are releasing further information on their decision to discontinue their Fourth of July Fireworks-on-the-Brazos.
Fireworks on the Brazos has been a tradition of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park for over 20 years. This year, however, the event will not occur.
The state park released a statement this (Thursday) morning, saying it was a decision that came with a lot of discussion, but it was ultimately determined to retire the event on a high note. The event’s signature sponsor, H-E-B, wanted to shift its attention to the annual Texas Independence Day celebration held every spring.
According to Washington-on-the-Brazos administrator Ginger Moreland, attendance over the last few years has fallen due to the amount of Fourth of July celebrations currently available to the community. The state park partnered with H-E-B over 20 years ago to help fill the gap, as there weren’t nearly as many celebrations taking place, back then. However, over the past five years, the amount of offerings available to the community has grown considerably.
A new annual event has been added in place of Fireworks on the Brazos, the Juneteenth Heritage Celebration, which will take place on June 23rd. Juneteenth Heritage focuses on the African American history in the Brazos Valley, with live performances. Buffalo soldiers, quilt displays and more.
If you are looking for other 4th of July events, many sites and communities are offering similar events in the area including Brenham, Navasota and more. Visit www.wheretexasbecametexas.org for more information.
When the fireworks were originally sponsored by a local bank it was a GIFT to the community, paid for entirely by the sponsoring bank.
When they were moved to the park, it was an effort to increase traffic and usage of the park…a measurement used in the park system for various reasons. It seems in recent years folks have continued to enjoy the fireworks…but not from within the confines of the park, thereby not increasing “visitor numbers”. HEB has been gracious enough to underwrite the cost of the fireworks; the location change is probably “somewhat political”.
I don’t think they could bring it back to the fairgrounds. There are too many houses nearby now. If you remember those were empty fields around the fairgrounds 20+ years ago. You’ll have to go to another county to see fireworks on the 4th now.
I agree with Whitney bring it back to the fairgrounds!
Awe ! Sad to hear
I think they should have it where it used to be at the fair grounds
Very Sad
Very disappointing
Washington County business should step up to the plate ! H-E-B doesn’t have to sponsor every year
Sad other holidays others are more important
Nothing’s free anymore.
I think no fireworks for the reasons stated is deplorable. In my opinion just another thing that is wrong with this country, when the birth of our nation celebration is not as important as other celebrations anymore!
Way to ruin the celebration.
Independence Texas, they have fireworks in the evening after the parade and dance. Join them!