It’s hard to believe that Independence Day is just around the corner again, but we’re extremely excited about this year’s planned celebration. We’re calling it “Liberty and Legacy” because we’re hoping to include some of Carlsbad’s many “legacies” while celebrating our freedoms.
As we did last year, we’ve expanded our celebration to two days- Sunday, July 3 and Monday, July 4. We’ll have music on both days at the beach bandshell as well as some very special events downtown and along the river.
DJ G Money (Anthony Alanzo) and then DJ Malory Anaya will kick things off on Sunday (June 3) beginning at 12:45 p.m. At 4:15 p.m., our local mariachis, Mariachi Unido, will perform. After that, at 5:45 p.m., we’re excited about a live performance by the River Bed. Our main event at June 3 will begin at 7:15 p.m. with a performance by Sonny Throckmorton and the Orange Beach Band. Throckmorton was recently a recipient of the Academy of Country Music’s exclusive “Poet’s Award.”
Also on Sunday night, Throckmorton, and other Carlsbad legacies, have been invited to be in the opening lap as part of our boat parade. Local boat owners are then participating in an evening electric boat parade up the Pecos River. Thank you to the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce for helping organize this portion of the weekend.
Our street parade will begin at 9 a.m. Monday July 4 and leave from the Carlsbad Prep Academy (former St. Edward School) on Church Street. The parade will head down church to the Eddy County Courthouse for a very special ceremony. This year, we will be honoring three World War II veterans and three Korean War era veterans.
Music will begin at the Beach Bandshell at 11:30 a.m. on Independence Day with DJ Trey Gonsalez and DJ Ornelas. Live entertainment begins at 2:45 p.m. with a performance by The Proof, followed by Grupo Maldad. Last Child will perform at 5:45 p.m. Our main event on the 4th will be a performance by the popular Grupo Veneno, who always draws a huge crowd. Veneno is set to begin playing at 7:15 p.m.
The City of Carlsbad is planning a fireworks show this year, which will begin shortly after dark. While we’re very sensitive to the dry conditions, this will be an extremely controlled environment, and we have professionals in place to monitor everything closely. Eddy County has helped co-sponsor this year’s fireworks show, and we promise you it will be even more spectacular than last year, and just as safe.
All of these events will be free thanks to our outstanding sponsors. Whether or not you decide to participate, we encourage you to have a very safe and fun Independence Day celebration.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway
