Thursday, March 28, 2024

Sparks Will Fly July 3 in Southlake: Get Ready for Stars and Stripes 2016

Fireworks, festival activities and family fun will return to Southlake Town Square during the 18th Annual Stars and Stripes celebration on Sunday, July 3. Hosted by the City of Southlake and Southlake Town Square, the Independence Day celebration will offer free admission, live entertainment, family activities, delicious food and beverage options, and a spectacular fireworks show in honor of our country’s anniversary of freedom.

The festivities will kick-off with patriotic music starting at 6:00 p.m. on two stages in Southlake Town Square, including Rustin Pavilion and Frank Edgar Cornish, IV Park. The Southlake Community Band, Lone Star Attitude Band and Limelight Band, along with various patriotic ceremonies will entertain the crowd with live performances.

In addition to live entertainment, Stars and Stripes will offer activities for the entire family. In the Creation Station, kids of all ages will be able to create patriotic crafts. The KidZone will offer active children various exciting activities, such as inflatable obstacles, midway games and slides, and a fun toddler-centric zone. Guests can also expect to see strolling characters, candy art and balloon artists.Stars and Stripes Article

With nearly 20 delicious food and beverage booths and food trucks last year, visitors will have an equally tasty experience at Stars and Stripes this year.

Launched from the rooftop of the west parking garage and synchronized to patriotic favorites, fireworks will illuminate the sky at 9:30 p.m. and will be seen from nearly anywhere in Southlake Town Square. Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for a comfortable viewing experience. A limited number of guests may have the opportunity to enjoy the ultimate spectator experience during The Star Experience. Tickets for the VIP treatment include a table for four people with a great view of the fireworks show and close seating to the stage featuring Limelight Band, as well as preset appetizers and bottled water. Additional details and ticket prices are now available, but hurry as reservations for this experience go fast!

Internal Southlake Town Sqaure parking will close for event setup Sunday, July 3, 2016 at 7:00 AM. All surface lots and East Garage will close once full or by 7:30 PM. All entrances into Town Square parking lots will be closed Sunday, July 3 starting at 7:30 p.m. or when full, with the exception of the entrances off of SH 114 Service Road. Parking and Shuttle services will also be available at White’s Chapel Methodist Church and Gateway Church with service to Southlake Town Square. Remember, parking and shuttle services for Southlake Stars & Stripes are FREE!

Volunteers help make events happen, and a large community event like Stars and Stripes has numerous opportunities for people who want to participate. Please contact the Community Services Department at (817) 748-8019 to learn more about volunteer opportunities.Stars and Stripes Article2

Stars & Stripes wouldn’t be possible without the tremendous sponsors that participate every year!  This years’ event is no exception to that!  Be sure to check out the  for the 2016 Stars & Stripes event!  For additional event information, including an event map, parking map and a list of FAQ’s, please visit the event website at www.StarsandStripesSouthlake.com.

City of Southlake and student delegation celebrate 10 year Sister City anniversary in Tome, Japan

Southlake student delegates with their host familes in Tome, Japan.

Southlake student delegates with their host familes in Tome, Japan.

In honor of Southlake Sister Cities’ 10-year anniversary with the city of Tome, Japan, Southlake Mayor Pro Tem Randy Williamson, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Bledsoe, and Assistant City Manager Ben Thatcher traveled to Tome on June 4, 2015 to participate in an official ceremony commemorating the anniversary.

Right behind them, a student delegation from Carroll I.S.D., including Valeria Aceves, Ana Warner, Erica Warner, Austin Hintze, and Evan Young, also traveled to Tome. The students were led by City of Southlake’s Community Services’ Cassie Tucker and her husband Jon-Erik Tucker.

The students departed on Monday, June 8, 2015 for their week long excursion that started with a thirteen hour flight and a two-hour bullet train ride on “Shinkansen,” to Tome City. The student delegation stayed with host families while visiting the city and took multiple guided tours led by Tome Sister Cities coordinator, Seikoh Sasaki. The students met with Tome Mayor Takahisa Fuse and Superintendent of the City Board of Education Nobuo Satoh. “Tome welcomed us and they were very excited to give our students the full Japan experience,” said Cassie Tucker.

Some of the activities include a boat ride down the Kitakami River, visits to several temples including the Kofukuji Temple where they practiced calligraphy, and a visit to Toyosato Junior High where the students acted as judges for English presentations.

The celebration concluded with a party on Friday night hosted by the city of Tome. They enjoyed traditional Japanese drumming along with over 100 citizens of Tome. Mr. Ito, President of Tome’s International Friendship Association, presented the students with small mementos to remember their experience. The whole experience was very exciting for all of the students; they made many friends and memories, while embracing the Japanese culture.

The Southlake Sister Cities program partners with the City of Southlake to offer exchange trips for both students and adults between Sister Cities Tome, Japan and Suzhou Wuzhong, China. For more information about Sister Cities and the exchange programs, please visit: www.southlakesistercities.org.

Kofukuji Temple

Kofukuji Temple where the students practiced calligraphy