There’s something magical about small-town America on the Fourth of July. The air crackles with anticipation, neighbors become family, and patriotism isn’t just a word—it’s a feeling that radiates from every front porch flag and sparkler-wielding child.
This year, Granbury is pulling out all the stops for what promises to be their biggest Independence Day celebration yet. The historic courthouse square will transform into a three-day festival of freedom as the community marks the 51st Annual Fourth of July Hometown Celebration—a milestone that speaks to the enduring power of tradition in an ever-changing world.
When History Meets Hometown Pride
Picture this: It’s 1974, Gerald Ford is president, gas costs 55 cents a gallon, and a group of Granbury residents decides their charming lakeside town deserves a proper Fourth of July celebration. Five decades later, what started as a simple community gathering has blossomed into one of North Texas’s most beloved Independence Day traditions.
“Fifty-one years of bringing people together—that’s not just impressive, it’s inspiring,” says longtime resident Martha Henderson, who’s watched the celebration grow from her front-row seat on the courthouse square. “You see generations of families coming back year after year. Kids who rode on floats are now bringing their own children to watch the parade.”
Your Complete Guide to Three Days of Freedom
Location: Historic Granbury Square, Granbury, TX 76048 Event Website: Visit the Granbury Chamber of Commerce for updates and tickets
The celebration unfolds across three action-packed days, each offering its own flavor of American pride:
Friday, July 4th
- 7:15 a.m. – Kiwanis Firecracker 5K Run/Walk (Tidwell Field)
- 9:00 a.m. – Independence Day Parade (starts at Granbury High School, ends at Historic Square)
- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Artisan vendors around the courthouse
- 7:00 p.m. – Rodeo (Hood County Reunion Grounds)
- 7:30 p.m. – “Hairspray” performance (Granbury Opera House)
- 7:30 p.m. – The Swing Dolls (Granbury Live)
- 9:45 p.m. – Fireworks spectacular over Lake Granbury (visible throughout downtown)
Saturday, July 5th
- 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Artisan vendors around the courthouse
- 2:00 p.m. – “Hairspray” matinee (Granbury Opera House)
- 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Street Dance on Bridge Street featuring Jadon Rogers & Josh Kennedy
- 7:00 p.m. – Rodeo (Hood County Reunion Grounds)
- 7:00 p.m. – The Swing Dolls (Granbury Live)
- 7:30 p.m. – “Hairspray” evening show (Granbury Opera House)
Sunday, July 6th
- 10:00 a.m. – Gospel Hour on Bridge Street (Brazos Entertainment Co.)
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Artisan vendors around the courthouse
- 2:00 p.m. – “Hairspray” final performance (Granbury Opera House)
This isn’t your average small-town celebration. Granbury has mastered the art of the multi-day festival, spreading patriotic joy across 72 hours of non-stop entertainment. While many communities pack everything into a single afternoon, this approach gives families time to truly experience everything the historic square has to offer.
The Grand Finale
As darkness falls on July 4th, the celebration reaches its crescendo with a fireworks display over Lake Granbury that locals describe as nothing short of spectacular. Launched from behind the Pearl Street Bridge, the pyrotechnics paint the night sky in brilliant reds, whites, and blues while reflecting off the calm waters below.
The beauty of Granbury’s setup is that you don’t need special seating or expensive tickets to enjoy the show. The fireworks are visible throughout the historic downtown area, meaning families can claim their spots early, spread out blankets, and settle in for an evening of wonder.
Why Small Towns Matter
In our increasingly connected yet somehow divided world, events like Granbury’s Fourth of July celebration serve as powerful reminders of what unites us. Here, political differences take a backseat to shared values: love of country, appreciation for freedom, and the simple joy of community.
“There’s something about coming together as neighbors that just feels right,” explains Chamber of Commerce volunteer Jim Rodriguez. “When you see a kid’s face light up during the parade, or when you watch three generations of a family sharing a picnic blanket during the fireworks, you remember what America is really about.”
Planning Your Patriotic Pilgrimage
Essential Information:
- Address: Historic Granbury Square, 100 N Houston St, Granbury, TX 76048
- Website: granburychamber.com (for tickets and updates)
- Parking: Free public parking available around the courthouse square
- Cost: Most events are free; theater shows and special events require tickets
For those considering a trip to Granbury this Independence Day weekend, here’s the insider scoop: arrive early for the best parade viewing spots, bring comfortable walking shoes for exploring the vendor booths, and don’t forget cash for those irresistible artisan crafts.
Pro tip from locals: The fireworks are visible throughout downtown, but the best viewing spots fill up by 8:30 p.m. Families often claim their spots along the lakefront early and make an evening of it with picnic dinners and lawn chairs.
A Celebration Worth Preserving
As America faces an uncertain future, celebrations like Granbury’s Fourth of July remind us that some things remain constant: the power of community, the importance of tradition, and the enduring appeal of small-town values.
Fifty-one years of bringing people together isn’t just a milestone—it’s a testament to the vision of those early organizers who believed their community deserved something special. As families gather this weekend on Granbury’s historic square, surrounded by the laughter of children and the pride of neighbors, they’ll be participating in something larger than themselves: the ongoing story of American community.
In a world that often feels fractured, Granbury offers something precious: proof that when people come together in the spirit of celebration and shared purpose, magic still happens. And sometimes, that magic is exactly what a nation needs to remember why freedom is worth celebrating.
The 51st Annual Fourth of July Hometown Celebration runs July 4-6 at Historic Granbury Square, 100 N Houston St, Granbury, TX 76048. For complete schedule information, tickets, and updates, visit granburychamber.com or call the Granbury Chamber of Commerce directly.
