Don't Miss the Fireworks at Temple's Crossroads Park July 4th

Can you believe it's almost Independence Day? It seems like only yesterday spring was starting, but here we are well into summer and the 4th of July fireworks are ready to fly!

Last year, the pandemic put a damper on everyone's plans, but local celebrations are back and the City of Temple is ready to put on a show.

This year, they're moving festivities to the Crossroads Park at 1020 Research Parkway. You'll be able to get in using the entrances at Airport Road and Hilliard Road, Adams Avenue and Hilliard Road, and Westfield Boulevard and Prairie View Road.

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The City of Temple is once again teaming up with H-E-B for the 23rd Annual All American Family Fun Fest & Fireworks Show. The event is free and open to the public, and you're invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and your own picnic baskets and coolers.

There'll also be vendors, live music, and family activities.

The gates open at 4 PM, and the fireworks are scheduled to launch at 9:30 PM.

“This event has been a Temple tradition for more than two decades, and we’re excited to host it at Crossroads Park this year,” Senior Special Events Coordinator Holly Leiferman said. “We’ll have an afternoon full of fun activities capped off by the greatest fireworks show in Central Texas.”

Personally, I'm glad they've moved this event to the Crossroads Park. In years prior they've held it at Miller Park on the north side of town. Now, I love Miller Park, but I used to live in the area and I can tell you that traffic and parking were just a mess when 4th of July came around.

Also, I love the ducks at Miller Park and always worried if they were being terrified by all the noise, the poor little guys.

This location should be much better for folks to get in and out of, and it's in a more central location in town.

Wherever and however you choose to celebrate the 4th of July, please be careful. I'd hate to have to write a story about you blowing your hand off or worse. Also, be mindful of any veterans with PTSD who may live in your area if you plan to shoot fireworks, and of course any animals that might be scared by all the noise.

Thanks to the City of Temple for planning another great 4th of July celebration, and I hope plenty of folks can make it out!

Test Your Texas: How Many of These Jeopardy! Questions Can You Answer?

Jeopardy! as we know it has been on the air since 1984, but the show got its start way back 1964.

Over the decades, the writers have managed to keep coming up with challenging questions to test the intellectual might of America's best and brightest (and sometimes softball questions for celebrities).

Texas is a place packed with personality, culture, and history, and there've been hundreds of questions/answers about the Lone Star State. Let's take a look at a few recent ones, and keep an eye out because we'll add more soon to test your Texas trivia skills and challenge newcomers.

How many of these can you get right without Googling?

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June 18 was National Wanna Get Away Day, and it got us to thinking of where Texans can get away from it all this summer and have a great time without breaking the bank.