Independence Day is coming up on Tuesday. Did you know that Lubbock hosts one of the largest free festivals in the state to celebrate the holiday?
Leslie Cranford recently talked with Sarah Self-Walbrick in the studio about this year's Fourth on Broadway celebration.
This interview has been edited for conciseness and clarity.
Sarah Self-Walbrick: Give us a rundown. What can folks expect from this year's Fourth on Broadway event?
Leslie Cranford: Well, the very first thing, Sarah, that I want to remind people, or if this is the first time they're hearing it - the parade is actually at a different time, rather than 9 a.m. It will start at 9:45. That gives people a little more time to get out there. But that parade starts off at the same location, Broadway and Avenue M, and heads east down Broadway into the park at Cesar Chavez and heads all the way down. It disperses at what used to be the Joyland parking lot.
But first, they'd have to get parked. We have free parking available at Canyon Lake Drive, between Broadway and 19th Street. We have two different paid parking areas; one is $5 per car and that is at the South Plains Fairgrounds. Opens at 7 a.m. That includes the free shuttle service to and from the park, provided by Gene Messer Auto Group and Mullin, Hoard & Brown. We love our sponsors, that's what helps keep our event free. And then we do have $10 paid parking, right across the street, south of Mackenzie Park, right across Broadway.
SSW: Those are very important details. Here's another one. The theme is "United We Sing." How is that incorporated into the event plants?
LC: First of all, we've encouraged parade entrants to step up their float game this year to really include great floats. They always try to adhere to the theme for the floats. But I also want to mention that at the BMW of Lubbock Daytime Stages - there are four an east stage, west stage, West Texas roots and then a fiesta stage - plus the Hugo Reed Caldwell Kids showcase. Those stages plus the evening concert will encompass 200 or so local musicians. So "United We Sing" absolutely comprises all of that.
SSW: The parade starts things on Tuesday. Each year, organizers choose parade marshals who have served the community. Who is leading things this year?
LC: We are so excited to have Danny and June Koch be our parade marshals this year. If you don't know Danny Koch, you haven't been paying attention, because he is a huge advocate for our local military veterans, veterans organizations, PTSD awareness. He and his wife also have written a book on addiction, which their son died from. So, Danny and June Koch will be our parade marshals this year and we're very excited.
SSW: Tell us a little bit more about what's happening at Mackenzie Park after the parade.
LC: After the parade, e have the Reliant Picnic in the Park. We are so happy to have Reliant as our main sponsor for the daytime events. That Picnic in the Park encompasses, like I said, the five music stages. But there's also the Cabela's Youth Fishing Tournament, which is permitless fishing for youth up to age 18. There are prizes in all age categories. And then something that I just have to chuckle about is the River Smith Catfish and Cobbler Eating Contest, which I'm emceeing for the third year. It is a hoot because, of course, the cobbler eating is hands-free.
SSW: You have to have fireworks on the Fourth of July. Tell us about this year's fireworks presentation.
LC: I will do that, but we have to go in order. So the evening concert comes first. So we'll talk about that. And again, that features local musicians and kicks off at 7 p.m. We'll have a tribute to Selena from local singer Gabrielle Flores. She is adorable. She's fantastic at what she does. That is followed by the Caldwell Collective with their rockin' 80s tribute followed by the teen sensation trio, Blackwater Draw. If you haven't seen them, people need to come out to see them for the first time or if they have seen them then they know that they need to be there to see this great trio. And that leads right into the return engagement of Vanilla Ice, the 90s icon, for the evening concert headliner. And then we will have the United Supermarkets Fireworks Extravaganza. That's choreographed to patriotic music. We like to say we go out with a bang.
SSW: Leslie, you've been involved with Fourth on Broadway for many years. What advice do you have for making the most out of the day?
LC: I would say just be prepared. I was involved with it when my children were very small, we would literally take the foldable playpen. And now that I've got grandkids we've also used that to just keep ourselves all together. But just think through the day, bring your water, you can even bring your own snacks. Plan what you're going to do.
