Friday marks the Fourth of July, and many in Lubbock are preparing to celebrate at this year’s 4th on Broadway celebration.
For the first time in 34 years, the event is under new leadership. Civic Lubbock Inc. has taken over organizing duties from Broadway Festivals Inc., which stepped away following the 2024 death of longtime founder Don Caldwell.
This year’s celebration comes with a number of changes — including one announced just days before the event.
The parade will follow a new route, sponsored by H-E-B and organized by Los Hermanos Familia and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. It begins at 9:45 a.m. at First Baptist Church and will proceed east along Broadway, ending at the South Plains Fairgrounds.
That’s where the rest of the day’s events will unfold. Originally planned for Mackenzie Park, Civic Lubbock announced on Tuesday that the evening events are being relocated to the fairgrounds after heavy rainfall earlier this week.
Starting at 5 p.m., attendees can enjoy a "Picnic Under the Stars" sponsored by Reliant Energy.
Live music begins at 7 p.m., presented by Davis Smith’s Gorilla Law Firm, and features performances by Paul Wall and Mariachi Azteca, leading up to headliner Smash Mouth.
The night will close with a “Fireworks Extravaganza” at 10 p.m., also sponsored by H-E-B.
Snacks, coolers, chairs, blankets, tents and pets are all allowed at these events, but alcohol is prohibited. There will also be food trucks and vendors present.
Fireworks are a hallmark of Independence Day, and some residents may want to buy and set off some of their own. However, it’s important to remember fireworks are illegal within city limits.
“Number one, there’s a danger to the public,” says Lubbock Police Chief Seth Herman. “And obviously the explosions themselves, someone who may not be so initiated with fireworks or is maybe under the influence of alcohol, that could likely lead to some kind of injury.”
In most cases, officers responding to fireworks calls will issue a warning first and confiscate the fireworks — but repeat offenses can lead to a citation and a fine of up to a thousand dollars.
Herman says arrests typically happen when firework usage is combined with intoxication or behavior that “threatens public safety”.
“Our goal is to obtain conscious compliance, hoping that people will just do the right thing,” Herman said. “We don't want to take anybody's fun away. But at the same time, our goal is to ensure the safety of the community and to ensure that the laws are followed.”
Herman added that people who wish to report fireworks violations should do so through the police department’s online portal at lubbockpolice.com
Parts of Lubbock saw a total of more than 6 inches of rain for the month of June, and that water can create breeding grounds for mosquitoes this summer.
And even with 4th on Broadway’s evening events moved to drier ground, it’s safe to assume mosquitoes will still be joining the celebration.
Corey Brelsfoard is an associate professor for Texas Tech University department of biology. He says with the recent rain, it is important to keep standing water drained or treated with insecticides.
Repellants make it to where mosquitos are less likely to be attracted to you making them less likely to bite.
“The standard recommendation from the CDC and the Environmental Protection Agency is to use repellent with DEET,” Brelsfoard said.
Certain oils such as citronella or lemongrass can be used as a natural option to repel mosquitos.
For the best protection, Lubbock Public Health recommends that when using both sunscreen and insect repellent, to start with sunscreen and wait until it is fully absorbed before applying bug spray.