Glen Rose, Texas, known as the Dinosaur Capital of Texas, is set to host two major summer events: a hometown Fourth of July festival on July 4 and a concert by Texas country band Reckless Kelly on July 18 at the newly remodeled Texas Amphitheater. The events provide an opportunity for visitors to experience the town's unique blend of outdoor adventure and small-town charm.
On July 4, festivities begin with a pancake breakfast at the Senior Citizen Center at 8:00 AM, followed by a Hometown Independence Day Parade around the historic downtown square at 10:00 AM. From noon to 2:00 PM, families can enjoy live music, a hot dog eating contest, and giveaways at Dinosaur World, which features hundreds of life-sized dinosaur exhibits. A ceremony at the Creation Evidence Museum takes place at 2:00 PM. The evening culminates with fireworks and free live music by the Brady Hulsey Band at Wheeler Branch Park, starting at 7:00 PM, hosted by the Somervell County Water District.
On Saturday, July 18, Reckless Kelly will perform at the Texas Amphitheater, a historic open-air venue recently acquired by the MSAS family and upgraded with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems. The amphitheater's signature water moat creates a unique concert experience. Tickets are available on Eventbrite starting at $55. The concert runs from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at 5000 Texas Dr, Glen Rose, TX 76043.
Visitors are encouraged to make it a weekend getaway. Glen Rose offers a range of accommodations, from boutique hotels and charming inns to riverside cabins and vacation rentals. The town is home to 98 custom-painted dinosaurs, and the free Glen Rose Dinosaur Pass on the Bandwango app guides explorers to 35 of them. Completing all 35 stops earns a free entry pass to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, a drive-through safari park.
Other attractions include Dinosaur Valley State Park, where visitors can see real dinosaur tracks in the Paluxy River bed, and the Paluxy River Walk, a scenic path connecting two downtown parks. The historic town square features local shops and restaurants surrounding a picturesque courthouse. Barnard's Mill and Art Museum offers a glimpse into local history.
“July is the perfect time to discover everything Glen Rose has to offer,” said Traci Niedziela, Tourism Director for Explore Glen Rose. “Whether you're celebrating Independence Day with fireworks and live music or enjoying a world-class country concert at our beautifully renovated amphitheater, we invite visitors to make it a weekend getaway and explore why we're known as the Dinosaur Capital of Texas.”
Glen Rose is located approximately 75 miles southwest of Dallas-Fort Worth and 90 miles north of Austin. For more information, visit exploreglenrose.com.
