Organizers in Upper East Side Texas are holding special events and sprucing up their annual July 4th celebrations to honor the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Created in 1776, the document declares freedom for the European colonists from the oppressive rulers of Great Britain.
We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all (humans) are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty
and the pursuit of Happiness.
The Declaration of Independence was created during the American Revolution, a war between the colonists and soldiers representing the British monarchy and tax-loving parliament acting on their behalf. The revolution began in 1775 and the colonists secured their freedom by defeating the British in 1783. The colonists named their new homeland the United States of America.
Long before the colonists, Europeans began trickling in and forming settlements in America even before the 1492 Christopher Columbus landing. The Europeans also brought kidnapped Africans for slave labor. And already living on the land for many thousands of years before were Indigenous people who had well-established communities and systems across the country.
By 1776, there were more than 2.5 million people in the United States of America according to census records. Enslaved people were counted as property. Women were not listed by name, only by age. Indigenous people weren’t counted at all.
In the last 250 years, the country has evolved through many conflicts, laws, policies, and many good deeds by caring and compassionate people who come from different ancestries, beliefs, cultures, and interests. At its core is a beautiful tapestry of humanity, both flawed and fabulous.
History, when viewed properly from diverse perspectives, allows for learning from mistakes to successfully continue towards forming a more perfect union — one where everybody wins.
While there remains much to do, the message of equality in the Declaration of Independence encourages hope and perseverance, and that is something to celebrate.
Stay tuned to County Line Magazine in the coming months for developing activities.
January 29
Ima Hogg: The Governor’s Daughter by Virginia Bernhard. Virtual Event. Recounts the story of Ima Hogg, the only daughter of Governor James Stephen Hogg. Ima was born in 1882 and died in 1975 at the age of 93, and she became a legend in her own right. She attended the University of Texas, studied music in New York City, and was a beneficiary of her father’s investment in the oil boom in West Columbia, Texas. Ima devoted much of her life to the enrichment of the educational and cultural life of Texas and gave her house and Early American art and furniture collection at the Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site to the people of Texas in 1958.
March 21-23, 28-30,
& April 4-6
1776 The Musical. Rockwall. Witness the birth of a nation as the European founding settlers struggle to craft the Declaration of Independence. It’s the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence if only the founding fathers can agree to do it. 1776 follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence. rockwallcommunityplayhouse.org
May 8-10, 15-17, and 22-24
A Piece of My Heart. Rockwall. A powerful, true drama of six women who went to Vietnam: five nurses and a country western singer booked by an unscrupulous agent to entertain the troops. The play portrays each young woman before, during, and after her tour in the war-torn nation and ends as each leaves a personal token at the memorial wall in Washington. rockwallcommunityplayhouse.org
June 19
Juneteenth. Terrell. An important day of remembrance and cultural pride. Terrell’s Juneteenth celebration honors freedom with performances, speakers, food, and community fellowship. This celebration is held in historic Breezy Hill Park. discoverterrell.com
June 28, July 2, 4, 9, 11,
17, 19, 24, & 26
1776. Kilgore. A musical theatre depiction of the birth of North America, filled with memorable songs and clever dialogue. Book by Peter Stone. Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards. Based on the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, 1776 showcases the political drama navigated by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. Part of the 2026 Texas Shakespeare Festival. texasshakespeare.com
July 4
Terrell Freedom Fest. Annual celebration of freedom with a spectacular Independence Day tradition that lights up the Terrell sky. www.discoverterrell.com
Longview Fireworks & Freedom. longviewtexas.gov/2394/Fireworks
Thunder Over Cedar Creek Lake. ccveteransfoundation.org/thunder-over-cedar-creek-lake-airshow
Independence Day Symphony. Sulphur Springs. At dusk people with lawn chairs gather on downtown Heritage Square. Hotdogs and lemonade add the perfect spice to a concert of marches and patriotic tunes provided by the Northeast Texas Symphony Orchestra. When darkness falls, the sky erupts in a blaze of colors as fireworks explode above historic Hopkins County Courthouse. Call (903) 885-6515 for details. visitsulphurspringstx.org
Fourth of July Celebration. Canton. Morning parade, followed by car show, live music, and wrapping up with fireworks at dark. visitcantontx.com
Tyler Independence Day. Food trucks, music, games, and fireworks. Lindsey Park. visittyler.com
Independence Day Celebration. Rockwall. Harry Myers Park. visitrockwall.com
September 11-13, 18-20,
& 25-27
The Immigrant. Rockwall. Written by Texas playwright Mark Harelik, the story is based on the true account of his grandparents, a young Russian-Jewish couple who entered America through the port of Galveston. This moving play opens with Haskell Harelik seeking refuge in the rural town of Hamilton, Texas, in 1909 (population: 1,203, no Jews). With only a fruit cart and a few words of English in a staunchly Christian community, his open heart and hard work win him a helping hand from Milton and Ima Perry. Eventually, Haskell saves up enough money to send for his wife, Leah, and the couple plants their roots in this strange land and nation of immigrants. Religion meets religion, culture meets culture, fear meets fear, and love meets love. rockwallcommunityplayhouse.org
