Thursday, March 28, 2024

Stars and Stripes 2013- an Evening to Remember

With a high of nearly 91 degrees on Wednesday, July 3rd, it was the perfect day for the 14th Annual Stars and Stripes Independence Day Celebration hosted by the City of Southlake.  The 2013 event emcee, KLTY’s Ron Taylor, kicked off the event at 6:00 p.m. with the Southlake Swing Band performing at Rustin Pavilion and King Creole Band in Frank Cornish Park.  Arts & crafts, games, inflatables and concessions began while stilt walkers, clowns and unicyclers strolled around Town Square.

At 8:00 p.m., Town Square was filled with patriotic spirit as Mayor John Terrell lead an emotional Patriotic Ceremony. Mayor Terrell introduced the Southlake Honor Guard, which  included members from Southlake DPS and the Southlake Fire Department. After the Honor Guard presented the colors lead by Southlake DPS Sgt. Kevin Diehl, the Microphone was turned over to Marine Sgt. Bill Fischer of the Paralyzed Verterans of America (PVA) to lead the Pledge of Allegience. Southlake Fire Department’s, Robert McCallion, performed “Amazing Grace” on the Bagpipe as the crowd listened in silence. The PVA Honor Guard, Glen Bentley, Jerry Hull, Ted Smith, Charles Brannon, Michael Bruscino, Bill Fischer and John Fay, then performed the “rifle volley’, 21 gun salute to our veterans. The finale of the ceremony ended with the Southlake Community Band playing the National Anthem. Thank you to everyone who was involved in making this a special moment of reflection. Mayor John Terrell said it perfectly, “It’s times like these that we are reminded what it means to truly celebrate our country’s independence and the men, women and families who sacrifice to keep this nation free. ”

This year’s food selection offered a wide variety of choices that favored any apetite. Returning Stars and Stripes concessions included Burger Shack, Dippin Dots, Feedstore BBQ, Fletcher’s Corny Dogs and Kona Ice. In addition, six food trucks were brought in to provide new flavors at the event. Cajun Tailgators, Easy Sliders, Rock & Roll Tacos, Gastrobomber, Tutta’s and Yellow Belly drove in from all of DFW to celebrate with us.

The evening ended with a bang with a bigger and better firework show. The crowd enjoyed the twenty-minute firework display synchronized with music, and spectators all over Southlake could tune into 100.7 FM to feel a part of the celebration going on in Town Square. For those who wanted to avoid the traffic, High Definition Band rocked it in Frank Cornish until 11:00 p.m. It was an evening to remember as family and friends celebrated Independence Day with the City of Southlake.

Keep the tradition up next year for our 15th Annual Stars and Stripes, Southlake!  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for next year’s event, please contact the Community Services department at 817-748-8019.  Thank you to all our 2013 sponsors, Park Place Lexus, All-Star Orthopaedics, Children’s Medical Center, Forest Park Medical Center, Kroger, Sleep Number and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital, for your support!

An image of a family bowling and dining

Photo of a solar eclipse