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By Kelli Nesbitt, Parks & Recreation Marketing Coordinator
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday on Saturday, July 4, at the City of College Station’s free I Heart America Celebration at the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater. Bring your friends and family for an unforgettable evening featuring live music, spectacular fireworks, and community fun.
This year’s celebration holds an extra special meaning as we feature a unique America 250 observance and a headline performance by the Josh Abbott Band — one of Texas country music’s most recognized independent acts. Known for its high-energy live shows and multiple Gold-certified singles, the band will take the stage at 8 p.m.
Whether you come for the music, the fireworks, or a relaxed night under the stars, here is everything you need to know before you go.
Event Schedule
| 7 p.m. | Gates Open |
| 7:30 p.m. | Welcome Remarks |
| 8 p.m. | Josh Abbott Band |
| 9:30 p.m. | Patriotic Fireworks Display (synchronized to patriotic music!) |
Use the map to quickly locate parking, entrances, seating areas, activity zones and your favorite food vendors.
Family Fun and Treats
Throughout the venue and along Holleman Drive, you’ll find an exciting lineup of family-friendly activities, yard games, face painting, souvenir shirt sales, and a photo booth to capture your America 250 memories.
Free Refreshments (while supplies last!)
- Free Watermelon courtesy of the College Station Noon Lions Club
- Free Sausage on a Stick from Slovacek Sausage
- Complimentary Bottled Water available throughout the event
Food Trucks & Vendors
Craving something more? Check out the delicious options spread across the event grounds:
| Amphitheater Vendors | Holleman Drive Vendors |
| • Raging Bull Tacos • JLM Chicken & Waffles • Carousel’s • Kidz Treats | • Something Different • Kona Ice • Raging Bull Tacos |
Parking & Seating
- Parking: Free general parking is available at Post Oak Mall. Accessible parking is located near Colgate Drive.
- Holleman Drive Activation: The closed corridor will be for seating, activities, and fireworks viewing.
- Seating: Chairs are welcome throughout the event grounds, except in designated, blanket-only seating areas within the amphitheater.
- What to Bring: Guests may bring snacks, drinks, blankets, and coolers (up to 48 quarts).
- What to Leave at Home: To ensure everyone’s safety and comfort, please don’t bring pets, personal fireworks, tents, canopies, drones, kegs, or glass containers.
- Note: Smoking is prohibited in the main seating area; please use designated smoking areas only.
Road Closure
Holleman Drive East will close at 2 p.m. Saturday from State Highway 6 to Dartmouth Street. Please plan ahead, allow extra travel time and use alternate routes when traveling to the event.
Other Ways to Enjoy the Show
Watch From Your Car: If you can’t make it to the amphitheater, you can still catch the breathtaking fireworks show from several surrounding areas. Use our recommended viewing map to find the best vantage point:
Watch Live from Home: Tune in to the fireworks show live on KAMU-TV via the PBS app, online at kamu.tamu.edu, or through your TV provider (Optimum, Northland Cable, DirecTV, Dish). You can also stream it with the live TV packages on Prime Video, Hulu, and YouTube TV.
More Ways to Celebrate
The I Heart America Celebration is part of a broader community series honoring our nation’s historic milestone. Check out these other local events:
Independence Day Signing Ceremony: The Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board will host a special signing ceremony for the United States Declaration of Independence on Saturday, July 4, at 9 a.m. at the memorial’s American Revolution site. The free public event includes a reading of the Declaration, followed by a ceremonial signing by 56 community leaders in tribute to the original signers.
Red, White and Splash: Celebrate Independence Day with an evening swim at Adamson Lagoon from 7:30-10 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. Guests can enjoy family activities and yard games while watching the I Heart America fireworks show from the pool at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free, with capacity limited to 400 swimmers. Guests attending public swim before 7:30 p.m. may remain in the facility without reentry.
Exploring History Luncheon: Learn more about our nation’s history at the Exploring History Luncheon on Wednesday, July 15, at 11:30 a.m. at the Larry J. Ringer Library. “Home of the Brave: Celebrating America 250,” will be presented by Lisa Mouton, social studies and world languages coordinator for the Bryan Independent School District. Attendance is free, with lunch available for $10 for residents and $12 for non-residents. Lunch reservations are required by July 10, with a limited number of meals available at the door for $12.
For a full calendar of community anniversary events, visit bvaam.org/a250.
Questions? Reach out to the Parks and Recreation Department at 979-764-3486 or parks@cstx.gov. Let’s make this 4th of July one for the history books!
Special Thanks to Our Partners: This celebration wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of KAMU-TV, College Station Noon Lions Club, H-E-B, Slovacek Sausage, and BlueForge Alliance.
>> View Photos from Previous Celebrations
About the Blogger
Kelli Nesbitt has served the Parks & Recreation Department for 20 years, including 13 years as marketing coordinator. She also served a year and a half as the marketing and community engagement specialist for the City of Bryan from 2023-25. A Bryan native, Nesbitt earned a bachelor’s degree in health and kinesiology from Sam Houston State.
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