Plus, crews break ground on a new glow-in-the-dark park.
 
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Grapevine Convention & Visitor Bureau

Today’s Forecast

106º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:31 a.m. | Sunset 8:39 p.m.
 

🎆 You light me up like the Fourth of July

Where to watch fireworks this Fourth of July
A display of yellow, red, and orange-hued fireworks exploding against a black night sky.
Celebrate the holiday with a bang at these local Fourth of July celebrations. | Photo by The Carter
Fire up the grill and pop open a cold drink — the Fourth of July is just days away.

If you want to get out to celebrate the occasion, we’ve rounded up a few local parties so you can join in on some good ol’ fashioned American fun.

Red, White, & Boots, Stockyards | Friday, June 30-Tuesday, July 4
  • Head to the heart of Cowtown for five days of celebrations including live music, professional bullfighters, cattle drives, Old West gunfight shows, face painting, a beer garden, and free American flags.
2023 Independence Day Celebration, Saginaw High School | Saturday, July 1
  • Bring your own blanket + lawn chairs and kick back to watch the fireworks show that starts at 9:15 p.m. Note: Alcohol, glass bottles, pets, sparklers, and tents are not allowed.
Keller Lights, Keller Town Hall | Saturday, July 1
  • The family-friendly event will kick off with a performance from the Keller Area Youth Jazz Orchestra at 4 p.m. followed by live music, a hot dog eating contest, and fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
Photo of fireworks

So bright you’ll need sunglasses at night. | Photo by @fortworthsfourth

Fort Worth’s Fourth, Panther Island Pavilion | Tuesday, July 4
  • Gates open at 5 p.m. for the largest fireworks show in North Texas. The free event will have live music, kid-friendly activities, local food vendors, and inner tubes to float in the Trinity River. The fireworks will start around 9:30 p.m.
Northeast Tarrant Family Family 4th Fireworks Show, BISD Plaza | Monday, July 3
  • The free event begins at 5 p.m. with bounce houses, food trucks, and a concert by Texas All-Star Jazz Orchestra. The fireworks display will start at 9:30 p.m.
Red, White, and BTX, Chisenhall Fields, Burleson | Tuesday, July 4
  • It’s a day full of fun starting with the Lions Club Parade at 9 a.m. at the corner of SE Gregory and SW Johnson Avenues. At 5 p.m., the gates will open and guests can enjoy food trucks, live music + fireworks to end the night at 9:20 p.m.
United Texas Credit Union
 
Events
Friday, June 30
  • Kimbell Happy Hour | Friday, June 30 | 5-7 p.m. | Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth | Cost of purchase | Start your weekend with a drink and a stroll through the world-famous museum.
Saturday, July 1
  • “Hadestown” | Saturday, July 1-Sunday, July 2 | Times vary | Bass Performance Hall, 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth | $105-$150 | Don’t miss the haunting and hopeful Greek mythical musical that has won eight Tony Awards and a Grammy.
Sunday, July 2
  • Panther Island Beer Yoga | Sunday, July 2 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Panther Island Brewery, 501 N. Main St., Fort Worth | $20 | Grab your mat and start the week off right with a 60-minute yoga flow followed by a brew or mimosa.
Monday, July 3
  • Light-Up Arlington | Monday, July 3 | 4-10:30 p.m. | Arlington Music Hall, 224 N. Center St., Arlington | Free | The family-friendly celebration includes some of the top musical acts in DFW, vendors, food trucks, and plenty of kid-friendly fun.
Tuesday, July 4
  • Karate - Level 1 | Tuesday, July 4 | 6-7 p.m. | Greenbriar Community Center, 5200 Hemphill St., Fort Worth | $40 | This popular martial art utilizes hands and feet to deliver and block blows.
Wednesday, July 5
  • Talewise: Science Heroes | Wednesday, July 5 | 2-3 p.m. | Fort Worth Public Library - Rise Library, 8201 Calmont Ave., Fort Worth | Free | Watch as volunteers perform several exciting science experiments that explore Newton’s Laws of Motion, air pressure, chemical reactions, and more.
Thursday, July 6
  • Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters | Thursday, July 6 | 8 p.m. | Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall, 122 E. Exchange Ave., Ste. 200, Fort Worth | $28-$61 | Enjoy an evening of live music from the Academy Award-winning actor Billy Bob Thornton and Grammy Award-winning recording engineer J.D. Andrew.
Friday, July 7
  • First Fri-YAY | Friday, July 7, Friday, Aug. 4, Friday, Sept. 1 | 12 a.m.-11:59 p.m. | Fort Worth Bike Sharing Stations | Free | Explore the city on wheels with a free bike rental courtesy of Fort Worth Bike Sharing and Blue Zones Project — use promo code 92020APP.
Events calendar here
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Chapel Hill Academy
 
News Notes
Edu
  • Fort Worth ISD trustees approved an increase in new teacher starting salaries to $62,000. A general pay increase of $1,925 was also approved for more experienced teachers. Other employees can expect a 3% raise, while those at the executive level will receive a 2% increase. (Fort Worth Report)
Real Estate
  • Chase Home Lending is expanding its $5,000 Homebuyer Grant Program to include more Hispanic and Black communities in Fort Worth. The grant is available on DreaMaker, Standard Agency, FHA, and VA mortgages and can be used toward closing costs and down payments.
Open
  • The Original Hot Dog Factory — which famously aired on “Real Housewives of Atlanta” — opened a location in southwest Fort Worth at 6318 Hulen Bend Blvd. The expansive menu features a variety of hot dog flavors like the BLT, Philly dog, and a veggie dog.
Award
  • Lockheed Martin won the prestigious James S. Cogswell Award from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. First created in 1966, the Cogswell Award highlights the protection of classified programs, information and materials, and emphasizes the importance of government and industry partnership.
Ranked
  • Things are heating up — on Wednesday, it was reported that Texas was hotter than 99% of the planet. Fort Worth was the second-hottest city in the US on July 27, right behind Dallas. According to the Washington Post, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston followed with temperatures reaching 100°. (The Washington Post)
Outdoors
  • There’s no relief in sight when it comes to cooler temperatures + local wildlife is doing what it can to stay cool. If you’ve noticed mammals — like squirrels — laying flat on their bellies, Texas Parks and Wildlife says it’s completely normal. Read more about splooting and what it means for the little critters.
Asked
  • We want to hear from you. What are the “unwritten rules” of Fort Worth? For example, we all know a visit to the Stockyards is the gateway to our city. Send us your unspoken tips + need-to-knows from locals for the chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.
The Word
  • Layaway, a retail policy that allows Marksmen customers to put down a deposit on big purchases like hunting gear, fishing poles + more, and pay in installments over the next 90 days. Take advantage of the program.*
Outdoors
  • Decorating tip: Show your patio some love with a cute and colorful area rug. We love this outdoor-friendly geometric green one.*
Giveaway
  • To celebrate our revamped referral program, we’re hosting a special giveaway until Wednesday, August 2, 2023. The top referrer will receive $500, and one additional person who refers at least one friend will automatically be entered for another $100 giveaway. Find the referral section at the bottom of this newsletter.
Correction
  • Yesterday we shared the news that Steve Montgomery has been appointed the new CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. He will be taking over for Hillwood’s Mike Berry — not Berry Hill. Mike has served as the interim CEO since Brandom Gengelbach stepped down in February.
Grapevine Convention & Visitor Bureau
 
Outdoors

💡 This playground is going to be lit

A glow-in-the-dark park will light up Farmers Branch this fall
FTW-Joya
Joya glow-in-the-dark park. | Video provided by The City of Farmers Branch
Work has officially begun on Joya, the country’s first outdoor glow-in-the-dark playground at Oran Good Park in Farmers Branch.

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held this week as crews work to demolish the site by Friday, July 7. Dean Construction is expected to begin building the playground the following week.

Here’s a refresher on what parkgoers can expect.

Tot Playground
Little ones ages 2-5 will have their own space to run around in a fenced-in play area. Parents and guardians will have a shaded spot to sit, while kids play on the turf embankment and natural sensory play areas.

Main Playground
Older kids (ages 6+) will have 18,000 sqft of play space that features a 27-ft sphere with six levels of climbing, swings, slides, an obstacle course, a zip line, a spin zone, hammock swings, and seating that glows.

The park is expected to open in the fall.
Answered

What do you think should happen to the Berry Theater?
Earlier this week, we reported that a demolition permit was filed for the Berry Theater and asked readers to Be the Broker. Here’s what you suggested for the property:
  • “Keep the theatre. Would be great to repurpose the space as community space — theatre, performing arts venue, and/or shops, cafe, and coworking space.”
  • “Raze it and expand Mercy Clinic. That’s what I think this community needs: healthcare.”
  • “Keep the outer shell of the building and demo the inside to accommodate shelter for homeless people. Get it listed as a historical landmark in Fort Worth so it cannot be torn down.”
 
The Wrap
 
Rebecca McRobbie

Today’s edition by:
Rebecca
From the editor
City Editor Kate and I are off on a fun adventure today getting an inside look at the Sandman Hotel’s new restaurant Musume.

As someone who eats sushi every Friday, I’m looking forward to exploring a new menu and bringing y’all all the details. Stay tuned and follow along on Instagram to see what we try.
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