Glen Rose, known as the 'Dinosaur Capital of Texas,' is gearing up for two major summer events that promise to draw visitors for extended stays. On July 4, the town will host a full day of Independence Day celebrations, including a pancake breakfast, a parade around the historic downtown square, a family event at Dinosaur World, and a fireworks show at Wheeler Branch Park featuring the Brady Hulsey Band. The following weekend, on July 18, Texas country band Reckless Kelly will perform at the newly remodeled Texas Amphitheater, a historic open-air venue recently acquired by the MSAS family and upgraded with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems.
These events are part of a broader effort to showcase Glen Rose's unique attractions, which include real dinosaur tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park, a drive-through safari at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, and hundreds of life-sized dinosaur exhibits at Dinosaur World. The town also features 98 custom-painted dinosaurs placed throughout the community, with a free scavenger hunt called the Glen Rose Dinosaur Pass available on the Bandwango app. Visitors who complete all 35 stops earn one free entry pass to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center.
'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.'
The July 4th festivities begin at 8:00 AM with a pancake breakfast at the Senior Citizen Center, followed by a parade at 10:00 AM. From noon to 2:00 PM, Dinosaur World will host live music, hot dog eating contests, and giveaways. A ceremony at the Creation Evidence Museum takes place at 2:00 PM, and the evening concludes with fireworks and music at Wheeler Branch Park starting at 7:00 PM.
The Reckless Kelly concert on July 18 runs from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the Texas Amphitheater, located at 5000 Texas Dr, Glen Rose, TX 76043. Tickets are available on Eventbrite starting at $55. The amphitheater's signature water moat adds to the unique concert experience under the Texas stars.
Glen Rose offers a range of accommodations, from luxurious boutique hotels to riverside cabins, making it easy for visitors to plan an overnight stay. The town's historic downtown square, with its stunning courthouse and local shops and restaurants, serves as the heart of the community. Other attractions include the Paluxy River Walk, Big Rocks Park, Paluxy Heritage Park, and Barnard's Mill and Art Museum.
For more information, visit exploreglenrose.com.
