The 15th Annual Stars and Stripes was a Night to Remember

With a high of nearly 91 degrees on Thursday, July 3^rd, it was the perfect day for the 15^th Annual Stars and Stripes Independence Day Celebration hosted by the City of Southlake.

The 2014 event emcee, KLTY’s Tony Lopez, kicked off the event at 6:00 p.m. with the Southlake Swing Band performing at Rustin Pavilion and Limelight Band in Frank Edgar Cornish, IV 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 inspirational Patriotic Ceremony. The ceremony began with Southlake resident, Abby Anderson, an up-and-coming artist, singing her rendition of “Let Freedom Ring.” It was a beautiful way to honor our country and kick-off the ceremony. Mayor Terrell then 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 Southlake Community Band played the National Anthem.  The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Honor Guard then performed the “rifle volley’, 21 gun salute to our veterans. The finale of the ceremony ended with Southlake Fire Department’s, Robert McCallion, performing “Amazing Grace” on the Bagpipe as the crowd listened in silence. 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 Corny Dogs and Kona Ice. In addition, food trucks brought new flavors to the event. Rock & Roll Tacos, The Guava Tree Truck and SsahmBBQ Gourmet Korean Tacos drove in 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, The Derek Anthony Band rocked it in Frank Edgar Cornish, IV 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 16^th 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 817-748-8611.  Thank you to all our 2014 sponsors, Park Place Lexus, All-Star Orthopaedics, Children’s Medical Center Southlake, Forest Park Medical Center, Kroger, Sleep Number, Brain Balance, The Goddard School, Frost Bank and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital, for your support!