Georgetown Sertoma Club’s 43th annual Independence Day of July celebration and fireworks show is heading to San Gabriel Park Saturday, July 4.
After last year’s rain and flooding resulted in an early July 4 shutdown, Sertoma hopes to make 2026 “a special year,” said Jim Wilson, one of the club’s founding members. The festival will offer family fun while commemorating America’s 250th birthday.
The all-day event starts at 10 a.m. and ends after music and fireworks after sundown at about 9:30 p.m..
It’s “a little hometown celebration that you don’t get when you live in a big city,” Mr. Wilson said.
This year’s Kiddie Parade — managed by nonprofit Georgetown Free Bikes — features bikes, tricycles, wagons and more decorated in patriotic styles, highlighting imagery like Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty. The public is welcome to participate or view the parade, which starts at the park’s low water crossing bridge at 11 a.m. Participants will be recognized with awards for their costumes and decorations at the park’s pavilion at 11:30 a.m..
Freedom Fun U.S.A. — a Leander based party rental company — will provide rides, a petting zoo and other activities.
Sertoma has worked to secure about 40 craft booths this year, Mr. Wilson said, and offers a variety of food from 15 vendors.
Live music will be performed throughout the day on the park pavilion stage. This year, four bands are scheduled:
- Best of the Bands: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Aviator: 1:45-3:45 p.m.
- Rob and The Renegades:4:30-6:30 p.m.
- Flashbacks: 7:15 p.m. until the fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Following these acts, local realtor and event emcee Tom Catlin will perform the national anthem, and fireworks powered by GWPYRO will close out the night. Fireworks will be launched from the McMaster Athletic Fields on North College Street. Fireworks can be viewed from San Gabriel Park, VFW Park and other areas in Georgetown.
Event attendance is free, and all are welcome to view the fireworks just after dark. Some rides and activities do require tickets, which can be purchased at the event. Food and products are available for purchase. The nonprofit will invest proceeds back into the community.
“It’s not designed as a moneymaker for our club. It’s really a service to our community,” Mr. Wilson said. “That’s the way we started it, that’s the way we try to continue it.”