Johnson City will Spangle Dangle for the Fourth of July
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
JOHNSON CITY — With so much fun and celebrating going on in Johnson City for July 4, the annual Spangle Dangle festival is stretching out over two days.
“We have so much going on, we needed to make it a two-day event,” said Dale Hardy, a Spangle Dangle organizer. “We’re even doing fireworks both nights.”
Spangle Dangle gets rolling about 5 p.m. July 4 at the Blanco County Fair and Rodeo grounds, located on the north side of Johnson City just west of U.S. 281. The event has a lineup of music to keep people entertained from 5-11 p.m. both nights.
As in the past, Spangle Dangle is featuring several local singers and musicians. This year, Scooter Pearce is performing 6:30-9 p.m. Friday with Bobby Beal taking the stage the same time Saturday. Other musicians also will be ready to entertain.
Of course, being that it’s the Fourth of July, a lot rides on the fireworks display, and Hardy promises a good one, both nights.
“We’re going to take it to a more professional level,” he said. “It’s going to be a great show.”
The fireworks start at about 9:15 p.m. both nights.
But Spangle Dangle packs in a lot more than music and fireworks, though those are pretty good on their own.
People can expect a lot of fun and food during the two-day event. There will be food booths set up ready to feed your hunger and thirst.
And you’ll also be able to enjoy a trolly ride both nights thanks to the Spangle Dangle organization and the Buggy Barn Museum. The horse-driven trolly will be operating 5-9 p.m. both days by donation. Proceeds go to support both organizations.
One of the things that’s made Spangle Dangle successful is the way the community has stepped up to support it.
“Spangle Dangle is basically a group of nonprofits, groups and individuals who have come together to have a community celebration for July 4,” Hardy said.
The event also offers local nonprofits a way to support the event and themselves. Hardy explained that several organizations will be manning the various booths. And those groups will get a share of the proceeds.
“They’ll get a minimum of 30 percent of the proceeds from (the booth) they’re working,” he said. “So when people buy something from those booths, they’ll be not only getting something, they’ll be supporting the nonprofit and the community. One of the ways we’re building the Spangle Dangle is through building and supporting our nonprofits.”
And what would Fourth of July be without a parade? Well, Spangle Dangle has one. It’s actually July 5 to allow more folks to enjoy it. The parade starts at 10 a.m. on the Johnson City square at the corner of LBJ Drive and East Pecan Avenue before going east on Nugent Avenue and making a right around the Blanco County Courthouse.
“The Spangle Dangle is growing,” Hardy said. “What we’re doing is for the community.”
Go to spangledangle.com for more information.
daniel@thepicayune.com
