Fourth on Broadway. Image from Scott Mann.
Lubbock’s prep for the Fourth of July parade, concert and fireworks will start “galloping pretty quickly,” according to Jim Douglass, president of the board at Civic Lubbock Inc., a city nonprofit promoting art and culture.
“Five months will pass in a New York minute,” said Douglass. “Right now, it’s kind of like we’re on the very edge … and we will be getting deep into this very quickly.”
The city council – on short notice – approved $40,500 for Civic Lubbock to start planning and coordinating because Broadway Festivals Inc. announced on January 6 it would be unable to lead the traditional 4th on Broadway events – which we covered here.
LubbockLights.com asked for a progress report from Douglass, who said there are not many answers yet – like what’s the theme of this year’s parade? But that will change soon, Douglass said.
“One of the first things we’re going to do is establish a planning committee,” Douglass said.
In the next week or so, folks from the community including those with parade experience will join the planning committee and parade committee.
“We will be the ‘Keeper of the Exchequer’ on this,” Douglass said of Civic Lubbock’s role to oversee contracts and money – while making reference to a medieval term for the royal treasury.
“We feel very positive about it and very optimistic that it’s going to be a great celebration. It just won’t have all the bells and whistles we’ve had in the past. But we hope to bring a lot of those back next year,” Douglass said.
Progress report – Fourth of July events
- Committees forming
- Past sponsors coming forward
- Non-profits lining up to help
- Preliminary parade route chosen
Proposed parade route, experienced people and sponsors
People are stepping forward who helped in the past, according to everyone who talked to LubbockLights.com for this story.
“We have corporate sponsors – that have been corporate sponsors in the past – who immediately stepped up and said, ‘Count us in,’ and. ‘We’re going to still contribute to the overall project,’” Douglass said.
Mayor Mark McBrayer said there’s a proposed parade route.
“I believe the route they’ve picked is from First Baptist Church going east to the fairgrounds. So, it’s shorter this year, and that way we’re able to have security to block off all the intersecting streets,” McBrayer said.
Plans are coming along for an evening concert, he said, plus officials reached out to the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra.
“We’re working with the symphony to provide music for the fireworks,” McBrayer said.
Lacey Nobles, spokesperson for the city, will also act as a spokesperson for the parade. She and her staff will oversee the marketing and advertising.
The city will coordinate things like porta-potties, golf carts, barricades and the like.
Nobles emphasized this is a community event, not just a city event – meaning input and volunteer effort from all parts Lubbock are welcome.
Los Hermanos Familia and the Military Order of the Purple Heart will help organize the parade, she said.
“Those two are very instrumental in the parade aspect of that day. … They have experience in coordinating parades for holidays,” Nobles said.
Also helping is Katie Sandifer who got experience overseeing parades when she was executive director of Broadway Festivals. She now has a production company to provide live music at weddings.
Want to help?
Anyone wishing to volunteer or act as a sponsor can call Civic Lubbock at 806-775-2242 or click here.
‘Such a big darn deal’
Parades need rules, Sandifer said – concerning things most of us wouldn’t realize – like how to throw candy from the parade floats.
“What ends up happening is if floats are throwing it too close to the cars, then kids are running close to the vehicles and that poses a safety risk. But also, if they are throwing too hard and too far out, it can hit somebody,” Sandifer said.
Participants should throw candy underhanded and at a medium distance, she said.
“It takes a lot of logistics and thinking ahead as well as legal documentation – having indemnity agreements and making sure all vehicles in the parade are insured and drivers are insured,” Sandifer said.
Douglass said, “I had no idea putting together a parade was such a big darn deal, but it is.”
When asked if groups can put on their own events along Broadway, Douglass answered, “If other organizations want to do something to celebrate the 4th of July, God bless them and go for it.”
However, to be an official event is up to the planning committee.
“The sentiment seems to be – my interpretation – that we want to keep it pretty simple and something that we can keep a good handle on and do a great job,” Douglass said.
Next year might be more elaborate, he said.
Looking ahead to next year
McBrayer said, “If the city can handle it fairly well, we might stay somewhat in charge. I think it’s such a big logistical thing that you kind of need an event organizer to handle some of that.”
In 2026, the United States will celebrate its semi-quincentennial – its 250th birthday.
“For next year, because of how big I think it’s going to be, we’ll probably be subcontracting with different people to handle different aspects of the program because we really want it to be a very spectacular and special thing next year,” McBrayer said.
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