Page 6 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2026 - Online Magazine

Local
History
Heartfelt Homecoming

to Treasured Tradition

4TH ON BROADWAY PRESENTS

Blessings of Liberty: America 250

by Leslie Cranford, Event Media Liaison

has always remained on Broadway.
While the location has shifted, the
spirit has remained constant. Each
year, families, friends, and visitors
from across the region gather to
celebrate the Fourth of July in a
way that feels uniquely Lubbock:
welcoming, energetic, and deeply
rooted in tradition.
Following the passing of longtime
leader Don Caldwell in 2024, the
future of the event felt uncertain.
Civic Lubbock, Inc. stepped in
to produce the 2025 celebration,
honoring Caldwell’s legacy while
he 36th annual 4th On 1991 by the Downtown Committee laying the groundwork for the
Broadway arrives at a truly of Churches, led by David Langston future.
Thistoric moment, coinciding and Don Caldwell, as a way to
with America’s 250th year of welcome home troops returning Today, the festival is produced
independence. In Lubbock, where from Desert Storm. in partnership with Stage Left
community pride runs deep and Productions, founded by Katie
traditions are cherished, this year’s That first gathering drew an Sandifer, who worked alongside
celebration promises a full day of estimated 15,000 people, an Caldwell for many years as
connection, reflection, and patriotic impressive show of support that executive director. With a deep
spirit. reflected the spirit of West Texas. understanding of the event’s history
Over more than three decades, and heart, Sandifer and her team
The festivities will begin with the the event has evolved into the are committed to preserving its
ever-popular H-E-B Parade at 9:45 largest free festival in the state, legacy while continuing to grow and
a.m. down Broadway, setting the now drawing crowds of more than improve it for future generations.
tone for a day that brings thousands 100,000 attendees each year. Despite
together. The celebration continues its growth, the heart of the event
later in the afternoon with Picnic remains unchanged: bringing people
Under the Stars, kicking off at 3 p.m. together in a shared celebration of
at the South Plains Fairgrounds, community and country.
carrying the energy well into the
evening. Though the festival has moved to
various Lubbock sites over the years,
What began as a heartfelt from its early days as a block party
homecoming has grown into one along Broadway near Texas Tech to
of Texas’ most treasured traditions. its time in Mackenzie Park and now
4th On Broadway was founded in at the South Plains Fairgrounds, it

6 Lubbock Senior Link