Have a fun community event that you would like featured in next month's roundup? Send event details to ivette.chapa@brazos.org. Events must take place within the Brazos River basin to be included. 

Upper Brazos Basin

• July 2: ABILENE – Lake Hike, 9 – 11 a.m. at Abilene State Park, 150 Park Road 32, Tuscola 
  • Join the Big Country Master Naturalists for a 5-mile hike around Lake Abilene. To attend, you'll need an entrance permit from the park headquarters. Wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring plenty of water. Learn more about the hike here. 
• July 2: GRANBURY – First Saturday Bird Walk, 7 – 9 a.m. at Acton Nature Center, 6500 Smoky Hill Court, Granbury
  • This monthly tour is directed by Dr. Billy Teels, who earned a Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology from Mississippi State University and worked as a biologist for 30 years. Now retired, Dr. Teels leads a monthly bird walk through the town of Granbury. Bring your binoculars and plenty of water! For more information, click here.
• July 2, 3, 4: GRANBURY – Hometown July 4th Celebration, at Historic Granbury Square, 100 E. Pearl Street, Granbury
  • Thanks to the Granbury Chamber of Commerce and its sponsors, Granbury's proud history of commemorating Independence Day has expanded to a multi-day event this year. Saturday, July 2, through Monday, July 4, will be filled with patriotic activities and vendors on the square. The parade will take place on Monday, July 4, at 10 a.m. and the fireworks show begins at 9:45 p.m. Learn more about the event here. 
• July 4: LUBBOCK – 4th on Broadway Celebration, at 301 I-27, Mackenzie Park, Lubbock
  • Come celebrate the nation with Lubbock's biggest patriotic festival of the year. The events begin with a parade on Broadway, which runs from Avenue M to Joyland. After the parade, there will be a street fair with activities for the whole family, as well as a rousing concert and fireworks display at night. It will be a day filled with fun and patriotic pride. For more information, click here. 
•  July 23: ABILENE – Art in the Park, 10 – 11 a.m. at Red Bud Park, 3125 S 32nd St., Abilene
  • Join your South Branch Library for Art in the Park. It's going to be a super fun and super messy time creating art projects at Red Bud Park! Be sure to come prepared with hats, sunscreen, and clothes you can get messy in for this outdoor adventure. Parents may want to bring chairs. Look for the big blue flag located next to the playground. All supplies provided. Free Admission. For more information, call Alyssa Crow at 325-698-7565 or email alyssa.crow@abilenetx.gov, or click here. 

Central Brazos Basin

• July 2: WHITNEY – Star Talks in the Park, 8 – 10 p.m. at Lake Whitney State Park, 433 FM 1244, Whitney
  • Take a trip across the galaxy using star maps, a laser pointer and a telescope. Retired National Park Ranger Larry Smith will guide you through the planets, moon, and stars on this two-hour program at the beautiful Lake Whitney State Park. Please register your group by calling the park office during business hours at 254-694-3973 or email Rita.eisenschenk@tpwd.texas.gov,  providing the number of people attending and a phone number to contact if needed. Learn more here. 
• July 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31: GLEN ROSE – Track Talk, 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at Dinosaur Valley State Park, 1629 Park Road 59, Glen Rose
  • Walk where the dinosaurs once roamed and hear the park rangers retell the story of how the dinosaur tracked across Dinosaur Valley State Park! Meet at the Main Track Site roped-off area and bring your questions about the park, dinosaurs, and more. The event is free with park admission. Click here to see all the Track Talks and other events that are taking place at Dinosaur Valley State Park in July. 
• July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: WHITNEY – Bird Sleuths of the Two Bridges Trail, 9 – 10 a.m. at Lake Whitney State Park, 433 FM 1244, Whitney
  • Enjoy a 1-mile trail adventure at Lake Whitney State Park! Join a master naturalist and try to determine what type of bird you spot on the trail. The event is free with paid park entry permit, and the adventure begins at the Two Bridges trail. To sign up for the hike, email Rita Eisenschenk at rita.eisenschenk@tpwd.texas.gov or call at 254-694-3793. Or for more information, click here. 
• July 4: WACO – Fourth on the Brazos, 6 p.m. at 1001 S. MLK Blvd., Waco
  • Waco's annual Fourth on the Brazos takes place on July 4 at Touchdown Alley next to Baylor's McLane Stadium. The Fourth of July celebration includes food trucks, live music, family fun, and a spectacular fireworks display over the waters of the Brazos River. Admission is FREE!
  • Gates open at 6 p.m., and the H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza kicks off at 9:15 p.m. Click here for more information.  
•  July 8: KILLEEN – Movies in your Park, 7:30 p.m. at Amphitheater, 2201 E. Veterans Memorial Blvd, Killeen
  • The City of Killeen is hosting a Movies in your Park event. Free admission. Bring your own blankets, chairs, snacks, and refreshments. No alcohol, glass containers, or pets. Click here for more information regarding this event, or call 254-501-6390.  
•  July 8: TEMPLE – Hot Summer Sounds Free Concert Series, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Lions Park Amphitheater, 4205-4319 Lions Park Dr, Temple
  • The Hot Summer Sounds is back in Temple! The Baylor Scott & White Health Plan presents Hot Summer Sounds Free Concert Series on Tour Friday evenings from 7:30-9:30 p.m.  Enjoy some great live music featuring a different genre each week at selected parks across Temple. Grab your lawn chairs, pack a picnic basket, and enjoy a relaxing evening in the park with friends, family, and other community members. Food vendors will be on-hand for the evening. Learn more here. 
• July 16: CLEBURNE – Bluegrass on the Trail, 5 – 8 p.m. at Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum, 101 Chisolm Trail, Cleburne
  • Come a have a great time. This is a fun and friendly Jam and Stage Show at the Big Bear Native American Museum. Southwest Bluegrass Club Jam starts at 5 p.m. Click here to learn more about this event or call Carrie Reynolds at 254-998-0261. 

Lower Brazos Basin

• July 4: MEXIA – Boomin' on the 4th, 8 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Mexia Area Chamber of Commerce, 214 N. Sherman, Mexia
  • The Mexia Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Annual Boomin' on the 4th Firecracker Fun Run. The race will begin at 8 a.m. While you're downtown, there will also be a Kids Patriotic Bike Parade, Pet Parade, and a Lion's Club Car Show. An afternoon of family-friendly games, food vendors, music, and more will be held at City Park! The Skyfire Fireworks Show, presented by Simpson Fireworks and sponsored by the City of Mexia, will begin just after 9 p.m. To learn more about the event and Fun Run registration, click here.
• July 7: NEEDVILLE – Eco-Explorers, Wildlife and Science in the Park, 9:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. at Brazos Bend State Park, 21901 FM 762 Road, Needville
  • Join Brazos Bend at the Nature Center for Eco-Explorers, Wildlife and Science in the park! A fun learning experience for the whole family about groups of wildlife, crafts related to the day's topic, and fun science experiments too! To learn more, call Montse Canedo at 979-553-5123 or click here.
• July 9: SAN FELIPE – Second Saturdays with Steve at Stephen F. Austin State Park, 220 2nd Street, San Felipe
  • Team members of the Stephen F. Austin State Historical Site will share the area's history at the Second Saturdays with Steve program! The roughly 1-hour sessions at the amphitheater discuss the operation of Austin's Colony and ongoing archeological investigations, recreation among the settlers, and more! This event is free with park admission, and no reservation is necessary. Click here to learn more about the event or call 979-885-2181. 
• July 16: BRYAN – Eats & Beats, 7 – 10 p.m. at Lake Walk Pavilion, 4107 Lake Atlas Drive, Bryan
  • Enjoy an evening of uplifting and pop-inspired tunes with a few hundred of your closest friends and family. Eats & Beats concert features an artist, a variety of food trucks, yard games, giveaways, and even a few fun surprises along the way. For more information, click here.
• July 22: SUGAR LAND – Parks & Recreation Movie Night, 6 – 9 p.m. at the Oyster Creek Park, 4033 State Highway 6 South, Sugar Land 
  • Join the Magical Movie Night at Oyster Creek Park and help celebrate National Park & Recreation Month! They will feature a magic show this year, followed by a family favorite film, Encanto, screening. There will also be a magical Tale Trail featured along the Oyster Creek trails! For more information, contact Sugar Land Parks & Recreation at 281-275-2825 or click here.