June 27, 2019 606 PM
FORT DAVIS – The Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the line-up for the 2019 Coolest 4th of July coming up July 4th, 5th and 6th in downtown Fort Davis.
“We’re bringing back familiar favorites from the past like the Cowboy Hypnotist and Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys,” said Melissa Henderson, FDCOC Director. “But we’ve added some new entertainment to the mix as well.”
Start your July 4th with the Coolest 5K Fun Run to benefit the Higher Education Foundation. Then get ready for festivities to begin at the courthouse Thursday at noon. There will be vendors offering a variety of gifts, art, delicious food and games. Vendors will be set up around the courthouse Thursday from noon until six and Friday and Saturday from ten until six.
Kids can find free entertainment each day near the courthouse stage to make crafts, slime and silly fun with Jeff Davis County Library’s Dawn Healey while parents watch shows on the stage.
Thursday is back-to-back lineup of musicians featuring locals JP “Jalapeno” Schwartz, Lisa Kettyl, JR Harrell, Hawk Sullivan and Austin duo Jeff Hilgart and Aaron Bennack. During the music, there will be a salsa contest and cornhole tournament. Winners receive bragging rights, a trophy and YETI swag.
The Cowboy Hypnotist will be putting folks to sleep on stage Friday and Saturday at 11am and 3pm. His shows are not-to-be-missed and hilarious. Folks can volunteer to be hypnotized by showing up at the courthouse stage prior to showtimes.
In 2018, the Gun Show was a no show. So this year, the Gun Show and Bank Robbery is going to be a big bang, shoot-em-up presented by The Legends of Texas, a theatre group that specializes in slap stick, western comedy. People can catch a show Friday or Saturday at 1 and 5pm. Shows will be located near the Chamber of Commerce in Memorial Square.
The Great Fireworks Show will light up the sky from the Jeff Davis County Park Friday beginning at dark. Line up early to get the best view.
The Chamber of Commerce is still encouraging the community to donate to help offset the cost of fireworks.
“Each year, the fireworks show is the biggest expense.” Chamber board president Adele Coffey explains, “We’re about half-way to our fundraising goal of $10,000 this year and can still use the community’s help.”
The Great Parade will saunter down State Street at 10am Saturday morning. Line up along the roadside to catch candy or enter the parade and throw candy at your friends. Randall Kinzie and Russell Roach will be organizing the parade. To enter, just show up with your float at 9am near the post office down Sgt Gonzales street.
After the parade get an up-close view of the beautiful Paso Peruvian Horses at their show by the Fire Station. Test your cowboy skills and get the quickest time roping goats. Then head over to the courthouse stage for a live performance from Fort Davis’s “The Texas Vipers” featuring locals Case Southerland on guitar and Aaron Kinzie playing drums.
Each night there will be live music at the Audrey and Tyrone Kelly Pavilion located behind the Chamber of Commerce. Thursday, the Hawk Sullivan Band, a free country music show will feature their new album, “Swim at Your Own Risk.” It starts at 8pm and entry is free.
Friday night, Austin band “The Lonesome Heroes” will rock the stage following the Fireworks Show. Entry is $5 per person.
“Many bands claim Gram Parsons and Big Star as influences, but few compare to such time-tested landmarks. The reconfigured Lonesome Heroes fill the bill by drawing as much from Seventies pop (“Sunshine Come”) as they do from a potpourri of country rock (“Throwing Dirt Into the Wind”). The ear-pleasing results make for one of Austin’s best discs of 2015. Full of sun-streaked melodies (“Love Is Contagious”) and inventive arrangements (“Whole Heart”), we’d expect nothing less from an LP produced by Li’l Cap’n Travis’ Gary Newcomb.”— JIM CALIGIURI, The Austin Chronicle
Get your boots and bling shined up for Saturday’s live show and dance at the Kelly Pavilion by Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys. Jody Nix is a Coolest 4th of July favorite featuring true country and western swing dance music. Tickets are purchased at the door for $15 each.
There are also lot of activities happening at Fort Davis’s attractions throughout the week. Don’t miss the line up at the Historical Fort or the Watermelon Feast at the Overland Trail Museum. Visit your local fire department crew during Open House at the Fire station both Friday and Saturday. Take a hike at the Davis Mountains State Park. Or discover desert blooms at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center. And if snakes are your thing, or if they aren’t but you’d love to safely see one up close, stop in at Rattlers and Reptiles. Shop State Street to find a souvenir.
All show times and locations can be found online at www.fortdavis.com, on Facebook or posted around town.
Coolest 4th of July activities dates and times may change before the big weekend. To keep up-to-date follow the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce on Facebook or email at info@fortdavis.com to be added to the email newsletter list.
