Special to the Journal
The annual 4th of July Festival on Nolan Creek is moving downstream to Liberty Park this year. Liberty Park is located near the Belton Christian Youth Center (BCYC) on Veterans Way. The move will help accommodate more space for vendors and the Rev, White & Blue Car Show, as well as being close by the Carnival.
Prior to the opening of the Bell County Expo in 1987, the annual Belton 4th of July Rodeo was held at the old rodeo grounds where BCYC is currently located. Many will remember Liberty Park being the location for the Festival on Nolan Creek prior to moving to Yettie Polk Park.
In years past, there was a low water crossing behind the Bell County Appraisal District office that was used to provide easy access to the park from the parade route and downtown area. This year, the 36th Engineer Brigade from Fort Cavazos will be deploying a temporary mobile bridge at the low water crossing. This bridge will allow pedestrians easy access to the Festival on Nolan Creek.
“We are excited about this change because as we celebrate 100 Years of Rodeo in Belton, we will also return to the historic location for the Festival on Nolan Creek,” stated Randy Pittenger, Belton Area Chamber President/CEO. “Many have commented that they recall wonderful memories of attending the Festival and Carnival there.”
“We are especially thankful for the work of our Festival Planning Committee, led by Keith Leija, support from the Belton Parks and Recreation staff in helping with the logistics of this move, and Fort Cavazos in providing the temporary pedestrian bridge across Nolan Creek,” added Pittenger.
The Festival on Nolan Creek will also include the 4th Annual High5 Hot Dog Eating Contest at high noon, the Dr. Watts Cooling Tent, and the Rev, White & Blue Car Show sponsored by Xxtreme Soundz and Level 3 Coworking and Event Center. Each year following the 4th of July Parade, thousands of visitors enjoy a variety of vendors, food trucks, music, games and displays at the Festival on Nolan Creek.
Another new aspect of the Festival on Nolan Creek this year, due to the location change, is that some of our award-winning parade floats will be on display after the parade. “This is another advantage of the location change, in that some of the best floats will be able to get to Liberty Park fairly easily to allow people to get a closer look at them after the parade,” added Pittenger. “That wasn’t possible in the former location.”
While parking is always a challenge on the 4th of July due to the large crowds of people, Crossroads Church has offered the use of their parking lot for those who prefer to drive. The church is located nearby Liberty Park on the east side of I-35, with easy access via the Nolan Creek Hike and Bike Trail.
The 4th of July will be full of activities and events, including the Patriotic Program, Parade, Carnival and Festival on Nolan Creek in Liberty Park, opening night of the 100th annual PRCA Rodeo at the Cadence Bank Center (formerly known as the Bell County Expo), and then close out with the Backyard Party at Schoepf’s Concert and Fireworks, featuring the popular band with roots in Belton, Sprung, returning for an encore performance prior to the fireworks show. This is a non-ticketed event, open to the public, although reserved tables are available.
For more information about these events, visit the website at www.beltonchamber.com, call 254-939-3551, or email info@beltonchamber.com.
