Come Celebrate Independence Day the Old Fashioned Way at Old City Park

Deck the family out in red, white, and blue, grab your picnic basket and little red wagon and come celebrate the nation’s past at Dallas Heritage Village’s Old Fashioned Fourth, Wednesday, July 4, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., (parade at noon), 1515 S. Harwood, Dallas, Texas 75215-1273.

Kids may decorate their wagons and bikes at the craft station for the popular patriotic parade around the village at noon, or they may decorate themselves and march in the parade. The Junior Historians, teen volunteers at Dallas Heritage Village with a passion for history, will run the popular annual carnival which includes pick a duck, “go fishing” for prizes, bean bag toss, and the famous annual stick pony race for ages 3-11. Additional activities include historic games such as horseshoes, graces, and checkers. Guests may pose for patriotic pictures with Mammoth Jack Donkeys Nip and Tuck and Waylon and Willie. Throughout the village, musical performances will keep toes tapping.

July 4 will be the last day for the Junior Historian’s preservation photography exhibit in Browder Springs Hall. The exhibit, titled “The Path of Preservation,” challenged each Junior Historian to take a look at preservation efforts in their own neighborhoods and choose a historic area to study and photograph for this new exhibit. Four Junior Historians participated: Kabilan Murugan, 14, featured Nash Farm in Grapevine; Lydia Radke, 15, featured the Music Room in Duncanville; Sarah Rutherford, 17, featured Old Frankford Church; and Kara Simmons, 14, featured Opal Lawrence Homestead.

“Don’t miss seeing this wonderful exhibit on its last day,” said Melissa Prycer, president and executive director, Dallas Heritage Village. “They have done a fantastic job and learned that it is essential, not only in big cities but also in the small communities surrounding them, to keep the past alive so that all may learn from it. Show your children a little about the past at our Old Fashioned Fourth festivities!”

All of the historic buildings will be open for touring, and costumed interpreters will be on hand to visit about what life in North Texas from 1840 to 1910. The Parlor, the Village’s exciting new early childhood learning space, will also be open for young ones to explore. The saloon is a popular afternoon spot for a cold root beer and a game of cards or dominoes. The Dallas Heritage Village Guild will be selling popcorn, cotton candy, and water bottles at the popcorn wagon.

“Old Fashioned Fourth features lots of fun activities for families and is an exciting time to come to Dallas Heritage Village,” said Melissa Prycer, president and executive director. “Where else can you test your modern skills against a variety of Victorian-era games, including the Junior Historian Carnival and its famous stick pony race? For many, this beloved annual event is a family tradition! So come and make some special memories with your family and see what’s new at Dallas Heritage Village.”

Admission is $5 for ages 13 and older. Those 12 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at the gate. Don’t forget to bring a little extra cash for carnival fun. Tickets for carnival games are 25 cents each or 5 for $1. For more information call (214) 421-5141 or visit www.dallasheritagevillage.org.

Dallas Heritage Village is an immersive history landscape that features a wide variety of authentic 19th-century pioneer and Victorian homes and commercial buildings in Texas. The Village is set on 20 acres with over 25 historic structures depicting life in Dallas from 1840-1910. Dallas Heritage Village is one of only 5 nationally accredited museums in the Dallas area. The Village showcases a Victorian Main Street, a railroad complex, a log cabin, a pre-Civil war home, an 1860’s farmstead with livestock, a 19th-century church, schoolhouse and more. Dallas Heritage Village has been recognized for multiple awards. It is located at 1515 South Harwood, in the Cedars area with urban living and restaurants, near downtown Dallas and the popular Farmer’s Market complex. Hours of operation are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. The Village is closed the months of January and August. General Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors 65+ and $5 for children ages 4 through 12 years. Children under 4 and members of Dallas Heritage Village are admitted free of charge. There is special pricing for groups of 15 or more people. For more information call 214-421-5141, email [email protected], or visit www.DallasHeritageVillage.org.

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