Main Street prepares for the Star Spangled show

By Vandy Van Epps, Gonzales Inquirer

The red, white and blue spirit of the United States returns for the annual Main Street Star Spangled Spectacular on Thursday, July 4.

Main Street Manager Tiffany Hutchinson-Padilla said seven food and beverage vendors and six merchandise vendors are ready for this year’s July 4 celebration.

“Our entertainment will include DJ Buddy, who starts at 5 p.m.; John Brewer will start at 7 p.m.; and then Dawson DeBord will be at 8:30 p.m. We have VFW Post #4817. They’re going to have the patriotic bike parade,” Hutchinson-Padilla said.

“They will have free bikes for the winners and they usually judge based on the decoration of the cart, scooter or bike – it doesn’t have to be just a bike,” Hutchinson-Padilla said.

Registration for the parade is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and the parade will begin at 6:00 p.m. inside Independence Square.

This year there will be more fireworks and, according to Hutchinson-Padilla, it will be the second largest fireworks display in the state.

“We will be closing the brickyard, just for safety reasons, starting the morning of July 4. No one will be able to access the brickyard near Independence Park, and we will also close the plaza,” Hutchinson-Padilla said.

“For safety reasons, we will be blocking St. Joseph Street for people to cross the road to get to Texas Heroes Square, but we will not do this until later in the evening,” Hutchinson-Padilla added.

Activities will be similar to last year with two water slides, balloon animals and a petting zoo.

Hutchinson-Padilla is excited about the entertainment and the partnership with the VFW for the bike parade.

“We do this every year and that tends to be the highlight – seeing all these kids come out, showing their American pride,” Hutchinson-Padilla said.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. and the fireworks will end at 10 p.m.