Robert Earl Keen’s 4th on the River

The City of Kerrville has released Fourth of July celebration details regarding what has been commonly called the Hill Country’s largest fireworks display, which immediately follows “Robert Earl Keen’s Fourth on the River,” taking place on Monday, July 4.  During the day, there will be numerous concerts and vendors will open at 2 p.m..  

Mini Mart is once again sponsoring the fireworks which are expected to begin launching at approximately 9:30 p.m. from Louise Hays Park.  Patriotic music will be played during the fireworks show through 94.3 The Rev-FM, and citizens can view the spectacle from the downtown area in addition to the park itself.

The Kerrville Fire Department will have firefighters and a staffed brush truck onsite during the fireworks display as well as coordinating with area volunteer fire departments to assist in fire protection during the event.  The Fire Marshal is ensuring that there is proper storage of the fireworks, site location, public distancing, fire extinguishers, inspections, and weather before giving the final authorization for the fireworks show.

Due to safety reasons, Louise Hays Park will be closed to vehicular traffic all day on July 4, with the exception of legally marked handicap vehicles (plates/tags), while spots last.  Authorized access is only to the park and there will be no access for pick-up or drop-off requests.

Free covered parking is available in the downtown parking garage on Clay Street.  There will be some available spots in the grassy area in front of Lehmann-Monroe Park at the intersection of La Casa Drive East and Park Lane East, first -come first- served.  

Pedestrians can access the park via the main Louise Hays Park entrance, use the Lehmann-Monroe entrance, and use the sidewalk connection entrance near Park Lane Apartments.  The River Trail and the ramp and bridge located behind the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library will be open and accessible to the public before 6 p.m.

Tranquility Island, which entails the portion of the Kerrville River Trail from Francisco Lemos Street through Tranquility Island, and the library ramp will be closed beginning at 6 p.m. on July 4 for safety protocols associated with the fireworks show.  This portion of the River Trail will resume again on Tuesday, July 5 beginning at dawn.

Citizens are reminded that fireworks are not allowed within the city limits of Kerrville.  Public firework displays are permissible provided that all state and local laws are met and a permit is issued.

Glass, outside alcoholic beverages, pop-up canopies, and dogs/pets are prohibited in the concert area.  Smoking (including vaping and e-cigarettes) is prohibited in all city parks.  Motorized vehicles, including golf carts and skateboards, are also prohibited on the Kerrville River Trail.  

Throughout the day of July 4, one lane on the Sidney Baker/Highway 16 Bridge will be closed for emergency personnel.  In addition, Thompson Drive/Spur 98 and Water Street near city hall and the parking garage will be closed from 5-10 p.m. to allow for safe passage of pedestrian traffic to and from the park/event area.

Traffic officers, detour signs, and traffic cones will be stationed at several intersections, side streets and parking lot entrances to help assist motorists with exiting the area as efficiently as possible.  Citizens are asked to be mindful of all officers, emergency vehicles, safety signs, and barricades and to remember that it is unlawful to go around them.

All eastbound traffic on Thompson Drive will be required to turn south onto Cully Drive.  All northbound traffic on Cully Drive will be required to turn left onto Thompson Drive.  All southbound traffic crossing the bridge on Sidney Baker Street will be required to continue south and southbound traffic on Sidney Baker Street will NOT be allowed to turn east onto Park Lane.

As for traffic exiting following the fireworks display, no left turns will be permitted from any of the area parking lots. This particular area of traffic congestion usually lasts less than one hour.

For more information and to view the detour map, visit the city’s website at www.kerrvilletx.gov, or call the Parks and Recreation Department at (830) 257-7300.

Have a Happy and Safe Fourth of July! 

WRITTEN BY: MICHELLE HAUFLER