Erath 4th of July Celebration includes festivities all week

ERATH — America’s birthday is later this week and Erath is throwing the biggest party around.
The 69th Annual Erath 4th of July Celebration is set for this week.
“The plans for this year’s festival have been finalized,” Erath 4th of July Association President Robert Vincent said.
A complete schedule of events can be found at www.erath4.com.
While the event will culminate Saturday, July 4, with a giant fireworks display over the skies of Erath, the celebration is well underway.
“The festivities have actually already begun,” Vincent said.
The 20th Annual Erath 4th of July BBQ Cookoff was held on June 13.
“The cookoff was the most successful one in the 20 year history,” Vincent said proudly. “We are hoping that is a good sign for this year’s festival.”
The annual pageants took place yesterday at the Erath Community Building.
However, today features one of the most important aspects of the entire week.
“A much cherished part of our festival will take place this morning,” Vincent said.
The annual Mass in the Park will take place at 8:30 AM in Erath City Park.
“We invite everyone to come out and give thanks to our Lord for the freedom we enjoy in this country,” Vincent said. “The Our Lady of Lourdes Church Choir will be there singing patriotic music for all to enjoy while sitting under the shade provided by the beautiful oak trees in the park.”
The street fair begins on Tuesday, June 30 in downtown Erath.
“We will have bracelet night where you can ride all the rides you can handle by purchasing a $20 bracelet,” Vincent said.
Bracelet night will be held on June 30, July 1, and July 2 from 6:00 to 10:30 PM. The carnival rides continue on July 3 and July 4th, with live music every night, beginning on Wednesday night.
“That’s just a sampling of what we have to offer,” Vincent said. “For complete details, please visit our website.”
Myriad hours go into those details for the entire 4th of July Celebration.
“The festival requires year round planning,” Vincent explained. “We are already discussing plans for next year’s festival. We have a dedicated board of directors made up of over 30 individuals who give hours of their time each year to make this festival a success.”
Having such a dedicated group is not really a challenge because, well...
“This festival has been happening in Erath so long that is has become part of the “fabric” of what it means to be from Erath,” Vincent said proudly. “The Erath 4th of July is part of every Erath resident. We love our festival and look forward to it each year. The family friendly festival has become a sort of “family reunion” in Erath, where you get to see and visit with friends you may not have seen in years. Our residents love to come and set up their lawn chairs on the Bank of Erath parking lot and visit with everyone while listening to good music.
“In Erath, we love our freedom, we love our town, and we love the Erath 4th of July Celebration.”