🎆 Fireworks Over the Lake + Gabby Barrett

Happy almost-Fourth, neighbors!

America turns 250 this weekend, and the lake towns are not doing it quietly. The event everyone I know keeps circling is Red, White & Beach up in Little Elm on Saturday. They launch the fireworks right over the water at Little Elm Park, so every burst goes off twice, once in the sky and once on the lake. Just know it's the town's only show this year, so it will be packed. Grab your parking pass before the weekend, not the day of.

If crowds by the water aren't your speed, Flower Mound booked Gabby Barrett to headline Independence Fest the same night, free, no tickets. You can't be two places at once, so pick your night and commit.

If the heat gets mean, five new paddling trails just opened on the Hickory Creek arm, so a slow morning on the water is on the table too.

Have a good (and safe) Fourth, y’all!

- Jason

Little Elm Park
701 W Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm, TX
Saturday, July 4
Park opens 9 AM, fireworks around 9:30 PM
$5 per person, kids 3 and under free; Little Elm residents free with an advance pass
Learn More

America turns 250 on Saturday, and Little Elm is putting its whole show right on the water. Gone To Texas plays the amphitheater from 5 to 9:30, food trucks and bars run all day, and the show closes it out around 9:30.

Here's the thing. Construction knocked out the town's second launch site, so this is the ONLY fireworks show Little Elm is putting on this year. One show, one park, on a milestone Fourth. It's going to be packed.

So handle the logistics today, not Saturday. Little Elm residents: your four free tickets have to be picked up at The Rec by end of day TODAY, July 2. No free passes Friday or Saturday. Everyone else, five bucks a head is the easy part.

Parking is the fight. The $50 premium pass comes with four admission tickets baked in, which basically makes the parking free math work in your favor. Day-of lot parking runs $30, there's no shuttle this year, and gates stop letting people in at 8:30.

Get your pass, get there early, claim your patch of sand. This is the one you'll be talking about at the neighborhood pool next week.

My wife found this one tucked into a strip mall on Eldorado, and now it's where we end up when we want real Mexican food and not another plate of yellow cheese. A family from Mexico City runs it, and you can taste it.

Small room. Cozy. The owners actually swing by your table to check on you. It feels less like a restaurant and more like Sunday dinner at somebody's house.

The chips and warm salsa hit the table fast, and we go through them faster. What people keep ordering: the albondigas, which are hand-rolled meatballs in a creamy chipotle sauce, and the street tacos on fresh corn tortillas. The enchiladas de mole get a lot of love too.

Save room for the homemade churros. And if you can swing a Sunday, the brunch menu is a whole different animal and worth the trip on its own.

One honest heads-up. The place is small, so a busy Friday or Saturday night might mean a wait, and bigger groups should call ahead. They're also closed Mondays, so don't do what I did and show up to a dark door. Parking's easy and free out front.

Price: $$
Hours:
Mon closed
Tues-Sat 11 AM-9 PM
Sun 9 AM-3 PM (brunch)

Got a bike collecting dust in the garage, or a kid who just outgrew their first one? These are the folks to see. Family-owned shop over at Lakeside, and their whole pitch is "modern cycling with old-school service." They actually mean it.

You roll in with a flat or some weird clicking noise, and the crew sorts it out without making you feel dumb or pushing gear you don't need. The first-timer gets the same patience as the guy in full spandex on a carbon frame.

What they carry: road, mountain, hybrid, kids', and e-bikes, names like Specialized, Giant, and Pivot. They also handle repairs, professional fittings, rentals, and trade-ins when you're ready to move up. Walk in and they'll help you when they can.

What keeps neighbors coming back is the straight pricing and how fast they turn work around, a lot of times with the part already sitting there waiting when you show up. Nearly 500 reviews and a 4.9 rating say it's not just me.

You'll find them at 2501 Lakeside Pkwy, Ste 180, Flower Mound, TX. Closed Mondays.

Price: $$ / $$$
Hours:
Tue-Wed 12 - 7 PM
Thu-Fri 10 AM - 7 PM
Sat 10 AM - 6 PM
Sun 10 AM - 3 PM (closed Mon)

4 beds
3 baths
2,231 sqft
0.19 acres lot

A) $549,000

B) $949,000

C) $995,000

D) $1,050,000

If you've got a kayak or a paddleboard, your summer just got better. Highland Village teamed up with Texas Parks and Wildlife to open five new paddling trails on the Hickory Creek arm of Lewisville Lake, and they cut the ribbon last week at Lakeside Community Park.

You can put in at Marauder Park, Pilot Knoll Park, Sunset Park, Lakeside Community Park, and Copperas Branch Park. Routes run anywhere from a half-hour loop to a half-day haul. Bring a rod if you want, because the trails pass largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, and white and striped bass.

It's a free, low-cost way to actually use the lake we all live next to. Just keep an eye out for motorboats in the busy stretches, and check the wind and water level before you load up.

Sources: Cross Timbers Gazette | TPWD

This one's a little wonky, but stick with me, because it shapes what gets built near you. Flower Mound's Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a new parking ordinance on Monday, June 22, that would let developments share parking across town.

Here's what it means in plain terms. A daytime office sitting next to an evening restaurant could share one lot under a single agreement, no separate study, no extra trip to Town Council. The town says that cuts construction costs, means less pavement baking in the sun and dumping runoff, and leaves more room for green space and landscaping.

It's not law yet. It still needs a Town Council vote, and P&Z already asked staff to go back and look at how far those shared lots can stretch, so nobody's hiking across a giant parking field to get where they're going.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

That closed-up Highland Village Elementary campus has a new name and a real job to do again. At its June 8 meeting, the Lewisville ISD board renamed it the Highland Village Student Success Center. This fall it'll house the district's TEAMS program, an intensive K-12 special education setting, and act as home base for the SAPP staff who support student-parents across the district.

For the rest of us in the neighborhood, the change you'll actually see is out front. The campus is getting a new all-inclusive playground for ages 5 to 12, built with real accessibility features, replacing the old 2005 setup. There's a repaved lot and some new fencing on the way too. The district says it doesn't expect any bump in police or fire calls, and a Campus Guardian will be on site like at every LISD elementary.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

Quick housekeeping before the long weekend. Lewisville city offices are closed Friday, July 3 for the holiday. The essential stuff keeps running, so police, fire, and water are all good.

Most cities around here do the same Friday closure. So if you need to deal with city hall, the utility counter, or municipal court, knock it out by Thursday, July 2. Trash and recycling pickup can shift around the Fourth too, so check your city's site if your day lands late in the week.

Source: City of Lewisville

There's a senior orange tabby down at the Lewisville shelter named Charlie, and he's been around the block a few times. Domestic shorthair, that warm ginger color, nine years and ten months on the clock. He's looking for a quiet place to land.

Now, the shelter hasn't posted anything about his personality, so I'm not going to sit here and invent a backstory for the guy. Here's what I'll tell you from experience, though. The older orange boys tend to be the mellow ones, the cats who'd rather run the household from a sunny windowsill than tear laps around the living room at 2 a.m.

And look, I know his age is the thing most people scroll right past. That's their loss. A grown cat is already exactly who he's going to be. No kitten chaos to wait out, no guessing how he'll turn out.

Seniors usually settle in fast, because honestly all they're after is a soft chair and somebody willing to sit in it with them. If you've got a calm house and a little patience, go meet him and see how he reads you.

Adoption at the Gene Carey shelter runs a flat $90, and that covers his neuter, microchip, vaccines, heartworm test, and city registration. Walk in during open hours, or shoot them an email with questions first. Tell them you're there for the orange guy.

Lewisville Animal Shelter (Gene Carey Animal Shelter)
995 E Valley Ridge Blvd, Lewisville, TX 75057
(972) 219-3478
Hours:
Mon by appointment
Tue 12:00 - 7:00 PM
Wed-Fri 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sat 12:00 - 5:00 PM
Sun Closed

🎆 Red, White & Blue - Grandscape (Corona Stage & Lawn) | 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 7:30 to 11 p.m., fireworks 10:30 p.m. | Free | More: grandscape.com
Free lawn, a live concert with country artist Josh Weathers at 9, and a fireworks finale to close it out. This is the Friday option if Saturday's crowds aren't happening for you. Bring blankets or chairs, no outside coolers, and park free in the Crest Auto garage.

🌊 Little Elm Beach - Little Elm Park | 701 W Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm, TX | Noon to 10 p.m. | $20 parking per car (holiday rate) | More: lakefrontlittleelm.com
An actual sandy swim beach on Lake Lewisville, with a roped-off area for the kids. Friday it stays open till 10, so you can ride a beach day right into the evening. Parking runs $20 a car over the holiday, and if you leave and come back you pay again, so pack everything the first time.

🏊 Sun Valley Aquatic Center - 801 S Valley Pkwy, Lewisville, TX | Noon to 7 p.m. | Residents $4, non-residents $8, under 2 free | More: playlewisville.com
Lewisville's full aquatic center, with a lazy river, two double-loop slides, a leisure pool, and a tot pool, so every age has something. Bring proof of residency for the cheaper rate.

💦 Heritage Park Splash Pad - Heritage Park | 600 Spinks Rd, Flower Mound, TX | 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Free | More: flowermound.gov
Free, shaded, and no reservation needed, with 14 water features plus a separate toddler area. Kids under 12 need an adult along, and pack swim diapers for the babies.

💧 Doubletree Ranch Park Splash Pad - Doubletree Ranch Park | 310 Highland Village Rd, Highland Village, TX | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Free | More: highlandvillage.org
Another free splash pad, this one tucked into a park with trails and a pond if the kids want a lap around after. Mornings are calmer for the toddler crowd, and the pad heats up by afternoon, so water shoes help.

🦌 LLELA Nature Preserve - Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area | 201 E Jones St, Lewisville, TX | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | $5 per vehicle, card only | More: llela.org
Two thousand acres of trails, river access, and birding right below the dam. Go early before it bakes, bring your own water, and know that pets aren't allowed and the gate only takes cards.

🏊 Public Swim - The Colony Aquatic Park | 5580 N Colony Blvd, The Colony, TX | 1 to 5 p.m. | $7, $5 residents with photo ID | More: thecolonytx.gov
Four pools, including a splash zone for the little ones and a shaded leisure lagoon for everybody else. Kids 6 and under need a grownup in the water with them.

🎆 Liberty by the Lake - The Athletic Club | 4100 Blair Oaks Dr, The Colony, TX | Festival opens 6 p.m., fireworks 9:30 p.m. | Free | More: thecolonytx.gov
A full day in The Colony. It kicks off with a 10 a.m. parade from Peters Colony Elementary and rolls into rides, a food court, live music, and a fireworks finale. The watermelon eating contest at 7 is worth showing up for on its own.

🎆 Independence Fest - Bakersfield Park | 1201 Duncan Ln, Flower Mound, TX | Gates 5 p.m., fireworks around 9:50 p.m. | Free | More: flowermound.gov
Flower Mound moved its big party to Sunday this year, and country headliner Gabby Barrett closes it out, with Le Freak and the Emerald City Band on before her. Kids' zone, a car show, food trucks, and a fireworks finale. Free to get in, free to park.

🎈 Independence Fest Children's Parade - Leonard and Helen Johns Park | 1800 Timber Creek Rd, Flower Mound, TX | Lineup 9:30 a.m., parade 10 a.m. | Free | More: flowermound.gov
Deck out a bike, trike, wagon, or stroller and roll the short route to the park, where free hot dogs and kids' activities are waiting at the finish. An easy, low-key morning before the big evening crowds.

🇺🇸 Yankee Doodle Parade - Downtown Denton Square | 401 N Elm St, Denton, TX | 9 a.m. | Free | More: discoverdenton.com
Denton's classic parade loops the historic square for the country's 250th, so throw on the red, white, and blue and grab a curb spot early. Easy to pair with the Jubilee and drone show at Quakertown that evening.

🌊 Water Works Park - 2400 Long Rd, Denton, TX | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | $19 over 48 inches, $14 under, $6 non-swimmers | More: dentonwaterworks.com
Denton's city water park is open regular hours on the Fourth, a full day of tube slides, the Big Kahuna, and a lazy river before any evening fireworks. Parking is free, and you can pay a little to bring your own cooler.

🏝️ The Cove at the Lakefront - 417 Lakefront Dr, Little Elm, TX | Noon to 6 p.m. | Holiday pricing $22 ages 15-49, $18 ages 2-14 and 50+ | More: thecoveatthelakefront.com
An indoor water park, so slides and a lazy river without the sunburn. A solid backup if the afternoon heat turns mean. Holiday pricing is in effect, and a cooler pass runs $10.

🎪 Mystère by Cirque du Soleil at Cosm - Cosm at Grandscape | 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Tickets from $11 | More: grandscape.com
Cosm's 87-foot wraparound dome drops you inside a Cirque du Soleil show, all acrobatics and Taiko drums on a screen that surrounds you. The early-afternoon slot beats the heat, and walk-ins get in subject to space.

⚽ Summer of Soccer Watch Party - Corona Stage & Lawn at Grandscape | 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. | Free | More: grandscape.com
World Cup matches up on the big lawn screen, free if you bring a blanket or a chair. Two showings on Sunday, so catch the afternoon match, grab dinner nearby, and come back for the evening one.

🧺 Flower Mound Farmers Market - Parker Square | 4203 River Walk Dr, Flower Mound, TX | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Free | More: fourseasonsmarkets.com
Produce, baked goods, and local makers, dog- and kid-friendly, on the square. An easy low-key stop before the heat if the holiday crowds have everybody worn out.

🥃 BENDT Distilling Tour - BENDT Distilling Co. | 225 S Charles St, Lewisville, TX | 6 p.m. | $10, 21+ | More: bendtdistillingco.com
Forty-five minutes through Old Town's craft distillery, ending with a tasting and the option to grab a bottle on the way out. Reservations required, and they fill up. Happy hour runs 7 to 10 after.

🎸 Wilco with Sheryl Crow and Lukas Nelson - The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory | 316 W Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX | Evening, see site for set times | Ticketed, see site | More: livenation.com
A loaded bill at the Pavilion to open the holiday weekend, with Sheryl Crow and Lukas Nelson warming up for Wilco. It's an open-air amphitheater, so dress for a warm Texas night.

🥃 The Rackhouse - 4847 Main St, The Colony, TX | 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. | Free | More: rackhousetx.com
A whiskey bar with a scratch kitchen and a patio that looks out over the lake, with Mick Tinsley playing live. Get there before sunset for a table outside. No music here on the Fourth, so Friday is the night to catch it.

🎸 Troublesome County at Truck Yard - 5959 Grove Ln, The Colony, TX | Band 8 to 11 p.m., music from noon | No cover | More: truckyard.com
The dog-friendly beer garden runs live music all day and closes it out with the full band at 8. Rotating food trucks, three bars, and yard games, and the back patio is the move once the sun drops.

🎶 Acoustic Sessions with Rachel & Adam at Tande - 5760 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 4 to 6 p.m. | Free | More: grandscape.com
A laid-back acoustic duo and craft cocktails in the late afternoon, before the evening crowds build at Grandscape. An easy warm-up before the fireworks.

🎶 Sunday Serenades with Savannah - Tande Craft Kitchen & Cocktails | 5760 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 4 to 6 p.m. | Free | More: grandscape.com
Savannah Low plays a low-key acoustic set every Sunday afternoon at Tande, the kind of place you settle into with a craft cocktail and a few bites. An easy way to wind down the long weekend, no cover.

Bakersfield Park
1201 Duncan Ln, Flower Mound, TX
Saturday, July 4
Gates 5 PM, fireworks around 9:50 PM
Free

Here's a free holiday night out that absolutely does not feel free.

Flower Mound booked a real headliner for the country's 250th. Gabby Barrett. Yeah, that Gabby Barrett, the one who came off American Idol and turned "I Hope" into a song you've heard a hundred times whether you meant to or not.

She closes out the night at Bakersfield Park, with Le Freak and the Emerald City Band keeping the stage warm before her, so the music runs most of the evening, not just the last forty-five minutes. Add the kids' zone, the car show, the food trucks, and what the town is calling its biggest fireworks show ever, and that's a full evening.

Now the honest part. This is the same night as Red, White & Beach up in Little Elm. You can't do both, so here's how we'd split it. If fireworks over the water is the whole point for you, go to Little Elm. If you want a national country act, zero tickets, and zero admission math for a family of five, this is your night.

The one catch is parking. It's free, but it's off-site lots with shuttles, since there's no general parking at the park. So build in extra time on the front end. Get there when gates open at 5, spread your blanket while there's still good grass, and work the food trucks before the lines get serious.

Bring chairs, but more importantly, bring bug spray. Because it's July in Texas next to a creek and the mosquitoes already know there's a party.

The fireworks close it down around 9:50. Load up the family and go.

Learn more about Independence Fest 2026

Nebraska Furniture Mart (Grandscape, The Colony) hires across the sales floor and the back of the house, so there's a fit whether you want to be in front of customers or moving freight. Postings have included Warehouse Customer Pick Up, Retail Sales Associate, Flooring Sales, Receiving Coordinator, and maintenance tech roles. A recent Customer Pick Up posting listed $18.58 to $23.13 an hour, and NFM adds a staff discount, paid holidays from day one, and a 401(k) match after a year.

👉 Browse openings

Peterbilt / PACCAR (Denton) runs an ongoing hiring line for Assembly Specialists building heavy-duty trucks, plus engineering, design, and corporate roles and a slate of paid internships. Want to learn an actual trade? The Peterbilt Technician Institute is a separate on-ramp into wrench work. It's a straight shot up I-35 from the lake towns, and Peterbilt is a Military Friendly employer with veteran hiring support.

👉 Browse openings

City of Lewisville is filling steady public-works and parks jobs right now, and they're sweetening several with cash. Current postings include Utility Line Maintenance Technician/Operator (a $2,500 hiring incentive), Streets Equipment Operator (another $2,500), Maintenance Worker - Parks ($1,000), and seasonal Parks cashier work running May through September. These are local, benefited city jobs for hands-on people, and a few are open until filled, so don't sit on it.

👉 Browse openings

Town of Flower Mound drops fresh openings every Friday across police, dispatch, administrative, and parks and rec, so it's worth a standing weekly check. Recent civilian listings have included an Administrative Assistant in Legislative Services and a Customer Relations Manager running the division that fields resident questions. Benefited municipal jobs close to home, and the same portal carries everything from entry-level support to supervisor roles.

👉 Browse openings

Lewisville ISD is staffing up across teaching and support for the 2026-2027 school year through its Frontline/AppliTrack portal. The support side usually means paraprofessionals, child nutrition, custodial, and transportation, and there's an Extended School Day team that hires separately for before- and after-care. The school calendar lines up with family life, and a lot of the support roles don't need a teaching degree.

👉 Browse openings