...for City of Southlake news, business, and community happenings.
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- Stars and Stripes
Friday, April 19, 2024
Are you new to Southlake or just wanting to see what all Southlake has to offer? Look no further than the new and improved Visit Southlake website. The website showcases Southlake, Texas as a destination to shop, dine, stay and explore! It highlights restaurants, shops, hotels, events and helpful information for visitors and meeting planners. Don’t wait, go see the site for yourself, go to VisitSouthlakeTexas.com.
Over the past few months, the City of Southlake has been working with website developer, MPISoft, to develop the new VisitSouthlakeTexas.com. The new website provides a cleaner, updated, and improved user interface with enhanced features.
In addition to the Visit Southlake website, the City is also launching new websites for both Southlake Stars and Stripes and Home for the Holidays–Christmastime in Southlake.
Stars and Stripes, Southlake’s Independence Day celebration, is the City’s largest annual event boasting nearly 35,000 attendees on July 3 each year. The Stars and Stripes website, SouthlakeStarsandStripes.com, features event sponsors, food and beverage vendors, parking and shuttle information, entertainment schedules, a list of activities for children and adults, and much more!
The Home for the Holidays–Christmastime in Southlake website, SouthlakeHomeForTheHolidays.com, features the holiday season in Southlake offering information about the City’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration, Santa’s Village, carriage rides, holiday shopping and dining information, and more.
If you’re unable to see the new website right away, don’t worry. It may take viewers up to 48 hours for their web browsers to switch from the old platform to the new one. Questions about the website? Send an email to visitinfo@visitsouthlaketexas.com.
Get a front-row seat to one of the most anticipated patriotic events of the year by signing up to be a volunteer at Southlake Stars and Stripes event set to take place on Sunday, July 3, from 3:00 p.m. to 11: 00 p.m. in Southlake Town Square.
Volunteers will be assigned to assist with one of the following areas and/or tasks:
Volunteers can sign-up to work one of the following shifts:
Volunteers will receive assignments before the event at a mandatory orientation. Orientation is scheduled for Thursday, June 30, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Champions Club at The Marq located at 285 Shady Oaks Drive, Southlake, TX 76902.
On event day, volunteers will be asked to check in at the Volunteer Tent located in the Kids’ Zone. Due to limited parking, volunteers are encouraged to utilize the shuttle services to transport them to Town Hall.
Food and beverages will be served to all participating volunteers during the event.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, please visit Volunteer Southlake or contact Volunteer Coordinator Lindy Calzada at 817-748-8035 or email volunteer@ci.southlake.tx.us.
To learn more about Stars and Stripes, please visit our website online www.StarsandStripesSouthlake.com.
Your favorite patriotic event returns this year with more fun and more sparkle!
Join us in Southlake Town Square for Stars and Stripes 2021 on Saturday, July 3, from 6 – 10 p.m. with the fireworks show starting at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting.
This event is designed for the entire family to enjoy.
Live musical performances will set the tone for the night on stages in Family Park and Frank Edgar Cornish IV Park followed by a patriotic ceremony at the Rustin Pavilion.
If you’re bringing the kids, Kids Corner is where all the fun happens. Your children can enjoy activities, entertainment, games, and more!
With all the fun going on, you’ll probably work up an appetite. Food vendors will be set up throughout Southlake Town Square offering sweets and delicious eats during the course of the night. Make sure to check out our BBQ Alley!
Event parking is free, however special accommodations will be available for guests and visitors who prefer to utilize shuttle services.
Free shuttle services will be provided with roundtrip rides to and from the event. Be sure to check shuttle locations and times before attending the event.
Restrooms and additional handicap parking will also be available.
Stars and Stripes is free and open to the public. Remember, you can begin to set up at 7 p.m. on July 2. However, keep in mind that the City is not responsible for any unattended, lost or stolen items. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the City of Southlake!
For up-to-date event information, text STARSNSTRIPE to 888777 and download the VisitSouthlake! App on Android or Apple devices. For more information about Stars and Stripes parking, event schedule and festivities, please visit www.StarsandStripesSouthlake.com.
Thank you to this year’s Stars and Stripes sponsors!
The City of Southlake’s annual Stars and Stripes 20th Anniversary recently received recognition, winning multiple awards from the Texas Festivals & Events Association (TFEA) for the 2019 event.
TFEA hosted the annual Kaliff Marketing Awards for events held throughout the state before the pandemic and virtually after the pandemic began from June 1, 2019, through May 31, 2020. Southlake earned the top honor, first place, in the Best Miscellaneous On-Site Décor for the City’s photo booth display, in its respective budget category. The City also was chosen for two bronze awards in the Best Event Video Promotion and Best Giveaway categories.
Kaliff Gold Award – Best Onsite Decor – 20th Anniversary Photo Frame
“It is our goal to create memorable experiences for our City, its residents, and visitors alike,” said Daniel Cortez, Southlake’s director of economic development and tourism. “We can bring forth these exemplary events like our signature Stars and Stripes because of our community support. We can’t thank our sponsors enough for seeing and believing in our vision for events and joining us in our efforts to help create those memories.”
The award competition, which recognizes marketing and promotion campaign excellence, highlights the TFEA’s annual summer conference. Although the meeting was postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic, the awards competition still took place with 395 submitted entries.
“The goal for festivals and events is to create memorable experiences and signature destination events that are unrivaled in their entertainment value, as well as all the other elements associated with such programs,” said TFEA Executive Director Kay Wolf.
Kaliff Bronze Award – Best Giveaway – 20th Anniversary Chair
TFEA is a professional trade association for festival and event planners, volunteers, and suppliers from across Texas. It is an official affiliate of the International Festivals & Events Association, the premier professional association supporting festival and event leaders worldwide.
This Fourth of July, celebrate Independence Day with your family and neighbors. The City of Southlake encourages all residents to commemorate our history, culture and community from the comfort of their homes.
Here are six ways you can celebrate Independence Day this year:
Need more ideas? Click here! Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!
In honor of our country’s birthday, the City of Southlake is proud to announce our traditional fireworks display to pair with your neighborhood celebration!
The City encourages residents to commemorate our history, culture and community from the comfort of their homes with friends and family.
For the safety of the community, the traditional Stars and Stripes event has been modified and the festival portion will not take place.
“Our conversation has always been about how we can keep Southlake safe and healthy and celebrate our nation’s independence,” Community Services Director Chris Tribble said. “As a City, we are held to a higher standard. We have to do things right. I know our fireworks show is something our residents, visitors and businesses look forward to as well. This year, we’re excited to be able to celebrate the Fourth of July as neighbors and a community, safely.”
The City of Southlake is continuing the tradition of its incredible fireworks display by doubling the height of the display for stronger visibility so that residents can watch from their homes.
This year’s 15-minute fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m., Friday, July 3 from centrally located Bicentennial Park. The park will be closed all day July 3, and not accessible for viewers. Champions Club will close at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 3.
Residents are encouraged to get to know their neighbors and celebrate the Fourth of July in their neighborhoods.
The display will be livestreamed on City of Southlake and Experience Southlake Facebook pages. Click here for more information about the fireworks show.
Stars and Stripes is one of the most popular events in Southlake. With this year being the 20th Anniversary of Stars and Stripes we are expecting a bit more foot traffic. This year’s event will kick off on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. with fireworks show starting at 9: 30 p.m. in Town Square.
Holiday traffic can be very frustrating at times and we want to make things as easy as possible by sharing a few parking and safety tips.
Access to Town Square before the event:
Barricades will go up early in the morning on July 3rd. The interior roads of Town Square will not be accessible by vehicle. There will be barricades for the duration of the event preventing traffic from traveling north on Central Avenue past Main Street.
Parking
Although parking is limited in Town Square, like any event, its best to arrive early and take advantage of the FREE parking on day of event. Internal parking in will be closed on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at 7 a.m. and all surface lots and the East Garage will close when full or no later than 7: 30 p.m. Parking will also be available at the Granite Building Garage after 6 p.m. located at the intersection State St. and SH 114.
Please WATCH FOR PEDESTRIANS! Citizens on Patrol (COPs) volunteers will also be on hand to assist pedestrians at major crosswalks and to help ensure the safety of all attendees.
Shuttle Services
Lone Star Coaches will be onsite to provide attendees a cool ride in an air-conditioned bus to and from the event. The shuttles are located at White’s Chapel Methodist Church and Gateway Church. Shuttles will drop patrons off at McPherson Park located right behind the Hilton Hotel. The shuttles will run from 3:30 p.m. – 11: 55 p.m.
Use the family drop off area:
There will be a family drop off area at DPS Headquarters located at 600 State St. near the shuttle drop off. Please have your passengers ready to exit the vehicle when it comes to a stop to help alleviate traffic congestion. Drivers who are planning to use Southlake Blvd. to get home need to be aware that they will not be allowed to access Carroll Avenue towards SH 114.
Ride Share Drop Off Area:
If you are taking a ride share service, please tell your driver to drop you off at DPS Headquarters.
Handicapped Parking in Town Square
Drivers can enter from either Prospect Street/Carroll Avenue or Central Avenue /Southlake Blvd (FM 1709) to access the handicapped parking along Main Street. Handicapped parking will be available on Main Street by Starbucks and Mi Cocina. Please be aware that the entrance at Carroll Avenue /Main Street will be designated for exit only.
Additional handicapped parking spaces will be provided this year on Federal Way between Harkins Theatres and the East Garage. Attendees can access this lot from Grand Avenue or Central Avenue via the SH 114 frontage road. Golf carts will be available to transport guests from this parking area to the event.
Not parking in Town Square?
Lighted crosswalks will be available and manned by Southlake officers at the following locations:
If parking on the side streets off of Carroll Avenue, please remember to follow these important rules.
For more information about Stars and Stripes Southlake parking please visit us online at www.StarsandStripesSouthlake.com.
It seems like yesterday when the City of Southlake kicked off the first Stars and Stripes event over 20 years ago. The year was 1999, the first phase of Town Square just opened and the Shops of Southlake had yet to be developed.
Frank Bliss, President of US Real Estate at Cooper & Company is one of the developers who worked on the plan to develop Town Square.
He recalled that 20 years ago, there were only six buildings up in the area; three on each side to be exact.
He explained that the inspiration behind the design of Town Square was to build a downtown area in Southlake designed for community events.
Bliss even highlighted that the design of the pavilion was so that the Lake Cities Band could perform.
Bliss said that he wanted Town Square to create a regional draw and bring more people to Southlake.
When the Stars and Stripes event made its first debut on July 3 in 1999, streets were filled with residents and visitors to witness the first patriotic fireworks show. Bliss described the first show as the “best fireworks show” he ever saw.
Since that day, Stars and Stripes became the first traditional event in Southlake, followed by Octoberfest, Home for the Holidays and Art in the Square. “People love to gather here,” said Bliss.
As it stands today, some Stars and Stripes traditions put into practice 20 years ago are still in place. The patriotic ceremony and live performances along with kid’s activities have truly evolved to attract more vendors and of course more patrons. Let’s not forget the fireworks show has continued to become the highlight of the family-friendly celebration. Stars and Stripes T-shirts are also a cherished tradition for visitors and families to have as keepsake from attending the event.
Bliss explained that the event has exceeded his expectations. He recalled walking from 114 and seeing families and friends coming together, walking, blocking off spaces and even cleaning up after the event is over.
The family-friendly event was to celebrate the nation’s independence and what better way to celebrate than in Southlake’s very own downtown area.
Join us for the 20th Anniversary of Stars and Stripes on Wednesday, July 3 from 6 to 11 p.m. The fireworks show kicks off at 9:30 p.m. weather permitting, hope to see you there! For event notifications during the event, text STARSNSTRIPE to 888777 and download the VisitSouthlake! App on Android or Apple App Store. For more information, click here.
Let’s party like it is 1999! That’s right you heard it here first, we are celebrating 20 years of Stars and Stripes history! Bring your enthusiasm and patriotism to Southlake Town Square on July 3 from 6 to 11 p.m. to enjoy our signature Stars and Stripes event 2019.
The free community event offers everything that you need to enjoy a good night out with the family, from live entertainment to activities for kids to delicious cuisines, free shuttles and more!
This year we have live entertainment to rock the night out on two stages located in Southlake Town Square Family Park and Frank Edgar Cornish, IV Park.
Other entertainment includes a juggler, balloon artist and stilt walkers. This year, in addition to KidZone, there will be two inflatables in Frank Cornish Park.
Did someone say food? With a variety vendors this year, attendees will have their pick of delightful cuisines to satisfy all palates, from Texas BBQ, to popcorn, pizza and even desserts like ice cream and Italian ice. Patrons can come hungry and leave happy.
The fireworks show kicks off at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting, so make sure you find a good spot to watch. The fireworks are launched front the rooftop of the West Park Garage and can be viewed anywhere in and around Southlake Town Square. Some of the best viewing spots include, DPS Headquarters, Park Village, Shops of Southlake, McPherson Park and Frank Edgar Cornish, IV Park.
We’ve also added more accommodations for our guests and visitors this year as well. This year, we are adding more restrooms and additional handicap parking will be available. Event parking is free and open to the public. Please note internal Southlake Town Square parking lots will close at 7 a.m. on the day of the event. All surface lots and the East Garage will close once full or by 7:30 p.m.
If you are looking to take the shuttle, free shuttle services will be provided at White’s Chapel UMC and at Gateway Church with roundtrip rides to and from the event from 3:30 p.m. to 11: 45 p.m. For up to date event information, text STARSNSTRIPE to 888777 and download the VisitSouthlake! App on Android or Apple App Store.
For more information about Stars and Stripes, including Frequently Asked Questions, please visit our event website page.
We would like to also thank our sponsors: Sewell, Maserati/ Alfo Romeo, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southlake, Alpine Materials, LLC, Gateway Church, Whites Chapel UMC, Springfree Trampoline and All-Star Orthopaedics.