Media Relations Contact:
Morgan Lyons
Mark A. Ball

June 20, 2011

DART to 4th of July festivities

Holiday picnics, parades and fireworks are an easy ride away on Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART).

Great holiday travel suggestions are available at www.DART.org/fireworks. Plan a trip for the family using the online DART Trip Planner at www.DART.org or by calling DART Customer Information at 214-979-1111. Great times are available throughout the area all weekend long.

July 3
Addison Kaboom Town features dazzling fireworks choreographed to music, plus food, live music, spectacular Cavanaugh Flight Museum's historic war-bird flyovers and more. Avoid the traffic delays and stay after the fireworks for a free movie under the stars. Admission is free. Events run 5 p.m. to 12 midnight. Addison Circle Park is at 4970 Addison Circle Drive. Information: 972.450.2851 or addisontexas.net. (Via Addison Transit Center, then a short walk)

Farmers Branch Independence Day celebrates America with free admission, live music and spectacular fireworks at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. Tour the historical buildings, indulge in delicious concessions, and enjoy kids' activities. Park gates open at 6:30 p.m. with a concert by local variety band Professor D beginning at 8 p.m. Fireworks follow the show at approximately 9:30 p.m. Farmers Branch Historical Park is at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane. Information: 972.919.2620 or farmersbranch.info. (Via DART Rail Green Line to Farmers Branch Station).

Plano Community Band offers a summer concert of patriotic tunes. Pack a picnic dinner, bring blankets and chairs and take the whole family to this concert in the park. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Haggard Park in Downtown Plano, 901 E 15th St. Information: planoband.com. (Via DART Rail Red to Downtown Plano Station)

Rowlett Fireworks on Main takes place on Main Street in Downtown Rowlett. Listen to great live music from Time Machine, one of DFW's top cover bands. Finish with an amazing fireworks display at dusk. Festivities take place 6 to 10 p.m. Downtown Rowlett is at 4000 Main St. Information: 972.412.6145 or rowlett.com. (Via free DART Shuttle 5:30 to 11:00 p.m. from Rowlett Park & Ride and Rowlett High School)

Independence Day Concert & Picnic at the Dallas Arboretum celebrates with rock 'n' roll and patriotic tunes on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage. Bring a picnic or enjoy tasty treats from Highland Park Cafeteria. Admission is free for all active and retired military with photo I.D., and general admission is $12. Concert begins at 2 p.m. The Dallas Arboretum is at 8525 Garland Road. Information: 214.515.6500 or dallasarboretum.org. (Via Bus Route 60)

July 4
Dr Pepper Snapple Group Fair Park Fourth includes free admission to Fair Park's museums. Enjoy "dancing water" shows at the Esplanade Fountain, musical entertainment, games and plenty of Fair Park food. A patriotic concert by the Dallas Wind Symphony begins at 8:00 p.m., followed by a fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Celebrate at this free public event 4:30 to 10 p.m. throughout Fair Park, 1200 S. Second Ave. Information: 214.421.9600 or fairpark.org. (Via DART Rail Green Line to Fair Park and MLK, Jr. Stations)

Irving Patriotic Parade and Concert displays patriotic pride in Downtown Irving. The parade will begin at 9 a.m., followed by a patriotic concert and free watermelon at Heritage Park, 217 Main St. Information: 972.721.2501 or www.cityofirving.org. (Via Bus Routes 408, 549, FLEX Route 840 or Bus Route 301 to South Irving Station, then a short walk)

Irving Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks is an evening of entertainment at the intersection of Las Colinas Boulevard and Lake Carolyn Parkway with concerts by the Irving Symphony Orchestra and the Kenny Chavez Combo. Activities include inflatables and water slides, and food concession stands and vendors will be available. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m., with a professionally choreographed fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free, and event parking is $5 at the Irving Convention Center parking garage, 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd. Information: 972.721.2501 or cityofirving.org. (Via North Irving Transit Center, then walk to Las Colinas)

Patriotic Pops Concert features the Plano Symphony Orchestra, The Rich Tone Chorus, and the Plano Men of Note Chorus. Tickets are $10-35. The show is at 3 p.m. at the Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts, 2351 Performance Drive. Information: planosymphony.org. (Via DART Rail Red Line to Galatyn Park Station)

Star-Spangled Spectacular with the Dallas Wind Symphony is a red, white and blue salute to Mom, Apple Pie and an 11-ft. tall Uncle Sam. Tickets are $21-$38 and sold through the AT&T PAC. The show begins at 1 p.m. in the air-conditioned comfort of the Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St. Information: 214.880.0202 or dws.org. (Via DART Rail Red, Blue or Green Lines to Pearl Station)

Flagpole 8K is an annual run along the eastern shores of White Rock Lake and the peninsula neighborhood. After the race enjoy ice cold Gatorade, water, sodas, and a variety of fresh fruit. Cost is $25. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. in Norbuck Park, 200 N. Buckner Blvd. Information: whiterockracing.com. (Via DART Blue Line to White Rock Station, then Bus Route 428)