America 250: Star-Spangled Jubilee in Palestine, TX – July 3-4 Celebration
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Applications

Want to be part of America 250: A Star-Spangled Jubilee? We’re looking for vendors, volunteers, and parade participants. Sign up below!

Volunteer Application

Food Vender Application

General Vendor Application

Parade Application

Bicycle Decorating Contest

Pie Contest Application
Must follow the Pie Contest Guidelines below

All Vendor Applications will close on June 18, 2026.

Please contact 903-723-3053 with any questions.
Adobe PDF
Pie Contest Guidelines

Thank you to our sponsors!

Visit Palestine would like to thank our generous sponsors and to everyone who has supported this historic event with funds, volunteer service, or in-kind gifts.

Heritage Sponsors

Tire Store Service Center
Callizo

Liberty Sponsors

Oncor
Commercial Bank of Texas

Hometown Sponsors

Killion's Collision
Anderson County Federal Credit Union

July 3, 2026 Events

Come and celebrate with us in Palestine, TX! America turns 250 this year, marking two and a half centuries of history, heritage, and traditions. Join us for a weekend filled with classic, all-American fun, from fireworks and live music to historical reenactments, and so much more.

The Texas State Railroad joins the festivities as it celebrates its 50th anniversary with vintage train rides, live music, and even more festivities to round out the weekend. Start planning your visit to Palestine for a once-in-a-lifetime Independence Day celebration.
Steven Bennet Park Sign Dedication
July 3 | ~6PM | Free

Captain Steven Logan Bennett of the U.S. Air Force is the only Medal of Honor recipient born in Palestine, TX, having earned the nation’s highest military honor for his heroism during the Vietnam War.

Join us at Steven Bennett Park for the dedication of the park’s new sign in his honor. Remarks will be shared, celebrating Captain Bennett’s legacy.


5400 TX-256 Loop | 800-659-3484 | visitorcenter@palestine-tx.org

Fun Kids Activities

July 3 | ~4:30PM | Free


Bring the whole family and enjoy some classic kids' games!
Hobby Horse Relays
Potato Sack Races
... and much more!

These games are just for fun! If you're interested in winning prizes, we encourage you to enter the bicycle decorating contest on July 4!

5300 TX-256 Loop | 800-659-3484 | visitorcenter@palestine-tx.org
Detroit Steel LIVE in Concert

July 3 | 7PM | Free

Join us for a classic, big-hair-tribute band show on the lawn before the fireworks! Detroit Steel hails from Austin, Texas and knows how to hype up a crowd with their renditions of classic sing-along ballads. This is a show that will bring the fun and nostalgia to the evening!
The show will take place on the lighted soccer field near the YMCA. To allow space for other spectators, do not park on the grass at the field. Lawn chairs are permitted.

5300 TX-256 Loop | 800-659-3484 | visitorcenter@palestine-tx.org
City of Palestine Fireworks Show
July 3 | Fireworks start after dark | Free

Join the City of Palestine for their annual fireworks show! Arrive early to set up your chairs and blankets and enjoy an evening of music and fireworks under the stars.

5300 TX-256 Loop | 800-659-3484 | visitorcenter@palestine-tx.org



July 4, 2026 Events

America 250 Festival
July 4 | 10AM-2PM | Free

Kick off the 4th of July with a patriotic parade at 10AM, then stick around to explore vendor booths and watch historical showcases, enjoy an All-American car show, and much more!

Interested in being a part of the parade? Complete our parade application to sign up!

Old Town Palestine | 800-659-3484 | visitorcenter@palestine-tx.org

Historical Programming
July 4 | 11AM-2PM | Free

Reenactments | Live Music | Story Telling

Travel back in time during the America 250 Festival as you visit the historic Anderson County Courthouse. Watch historical reenactments, live readings, and performances by the Anderson County Community Chorus, all in the historic district courtroom.



500 N. Church St. | 800-659-3484 | visitorcenter@palestine-tx.org

The Journey HQ America 250 Car Show
July 4 | 10AM-2PM | Free


Join The Journey HQ in an All-American car show complete with giveaways and American cars. Come hang out, walk the show, meet other car enthusiasts, and enjoy the America 250 Festival.

519 N Elm St. | 800-659-3484 | thejourneyhq.com
Bike Decorating Contest
July 4 | 10AM-1PM | Free

Kids (& kids at heart) are invited to decorate their bicycles, tricycles, scooters, golf carts, ATV's, etc. in patriotic gear as part of the festivities! Participants are welcome to ride their decorated bikes in the parade before being displayed for People's Choice voting at the car show.

For more information and to register your bicycle, click here.

519 N Elm St. | 800-659-3484 | visitorcenter@palestine-tx.org

ONE THE TRACKS

Texas State Railroad 50th Birthday Celebration

July 4th | Train Excursion 11AM & 3PM | General Admission at 3:00 PM | Tickets required

Ride the round-trip Piney Woods Express Steam Excursion for a scenic celebration and receive a beautiful commemorative coin celebrating these milestones and admission to ALL the day’s activities! The excursion will depart from the Palestine Depot at 11:00AM and return at 3:00PM.

Not riding? Gates open for General Admission at 3:00 PM at Palestine Railroad Depot for a day and evening of family fun: games, concessions, beer tent, cornhole tournament with cash prizes, historic equipment displays, face painting, and vendor shopping.

Finish the night with an outdoor concert headlined by KOLBY COOPER, with support from Jordan Nix, Joint Custody, and 79 South.

  • Piney Woods Express Steam Ride
  • Tour Historic Steam Engines
  • Local Food Vendors
  • Mini Golf & Inflatable Maze
  • 5-in-1 Allstar Inflatable Game
  • Cornhole Tournament

Purchase tickets for the Train Excursion or General Admission at Texas State Railroad

789 Park Rd 70 | +18556327729 | tsrrinfo@jag-transport.com



Other July 4th Celebrations in Palestine

Summer Block Party

July 2 | 4PM to 8PM | Free

Palestine, everyone is welcome! Bring the family and invite your friends for a fun-filled Summer Block Party at Hope Station!

We’re partnering with Gracia y Fundamento (Grace & Foundation), a Chilean missions team, to bring an exciting, family-friendly night to our community. Enjoy FREE hamburgers and hot dogs, inflatables, outdoor games, live music, vendors, and more!

¡Palestine, todos son bienvenidos! Trae a tu familia e invita a tus amigos a nuestro Summer Block Party en Hope Station.

Estamos colaborando con Gracia y Fundamento (Grace & Foundation), un equipo misionero chileno, para traer una noche divertida y familiar a nuestra comunidad. Habrá hamburguesas y hot dogs GRATIS, inflables, juegos al aire libre, música en vivo, vendedores y mucho más.

¡No seas tímido… trae a tu familia e invita a tus amigos!


919 S. Magnolia st. | (903) 723-2930 | More Info

Rock the Lake & Fireworks Night

July 5th | Starts at 4PM | $20 Admission Fee

Join Lake Palestine Resort on July 5th for an exciting night of music, karaoke, and fireworks in Frankston, TX! The evening kicks off with karaoke featuring Aubry from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, followed by live music from Chace Rains from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The night will end with a spectacular fireworks show beginning at 9:30 PM.

Bring your friends and family out for a fun-filled summer celebration with great entertainment, patriotic vibes, and an unforgettable night at the lake.


8900 Ruby Ln, Frankston, TX 75763 | 903-876-2183 |

Montalba Baptist Church Freedom Celebration

Friday, July 4th | Music Starts at 7:00 PM | Free

Bring the whole family and join us for a fun-filled night as we celebrate our nation’s freedom! Enjoy live music from 🎶 Band Reeves, local vendors, and an exciting fireworks show after dark.

Tune in live by setting your radio to 📻 90.5 FM.

Hosted by Montalba Baptist Church. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

SH-19 & FM 321, Palestine, TX 75803 |

FAQs

General Questions

Fireworks Show & Parade

Amenities




Dining

Palestine is proud to offer a wide range of dining options, including Cajun, Mediterranean, Japanese, and Asian Fusion. Visit the local favorite below or view our full directory of dining options.
Switch Brick Oven Pizza & Wine Bar Switch Brick Oven Pizza & Wine Bar A scratch kitchen featuring a brick fired oven. Switch imports their flour and tomatoes from Italy and makes their mozzarella cheese in-house daily.
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Pint & Barrel Drafthouse Pint & Barrel Drafthouse With a large patio, 18 craft beers on tap, wine, and upscale pub fare, Pint and Barrel offers a great outdoor dining experience.
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Queen St. Grille Queen St. Grille A fine dining menu in a classy-casual atmosphere with beautiful views of Palestine landmarks and full bar. Located in the main lobby of the Historic Redlands Hotel.
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Lodging

Whether you are looking for a clean hotel room, a luxurious bed and breakfast, lush campgrounds, or a green place to park your RV, we have a place for you. Have questions or need more information? Our team is happy to assist! Contact us at 800-659-3484.
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