From Herald staff reports

Metrocom residents will have ample opportunity to celebrate the Fourth of July this weekend, as the annual Schertz Jubilee and Randolph fireworks show highlight the weekend.

The Jubilee, now in its 33rd year, is already under way in Pickrell Park, at Main and Oak streets. The carnival midway opened Wednesday and runs 6 p.m. to midnight tonight, Friday and Saturday.

Performing from 8 p.m. to midnight today will be Mick Hernandez and the Texas Silverados.
The centerpiece of the Jubilee is Friday’s parade. The parade officially begins at 10:30 a.m., as the hundreds of entries -- which began lining up long before the 9:30 start -- pour out of the Clemens High School parking lot area, at Elbel Road and Schertz Parkway, The parade streams down the Parkway, turns onto Main Street and makes it slow but pleasurable way to Pickrell Park.

Once there, parade-watchers, participants and Jubilee attendees will find games, food and fun for all ages. Opening ceremonies under the pavilion are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. The day proceeds with a performance by the Community Band, a martial arts demonstration team and music from CrossPoint, Getting’ By and Cactus Country.

Randolph Air Force Base will see thousands crowd its grounds to enjoy its biennial event. Things get started at 5 p.m. Friday with the traditional fireworks display scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

The Scott Wiggins Band and Zach Walther and the Cronkites will provide musical entertainment, while more than 25 food booths and a host of children’s activities and sports/skills events await attendees.
Visitors to the base are reminded not to bring coolers, picnic baskets, backpacks, weapons, bicycles, skateboards, personal fireworks or pets onto the base. However, blankets, chairs, hats and sunscreen are encouraged and, in the early evening, almost a necessity.

The communities of Garden Ridge and Windcrest throw their own parties, with Windcrest actually getting the day started with a bright-and-early 8 a.m. parade that starts at City Hall and loops around the golf course and through adjoining streets.

Windcrest’s celebration this year actually gets a jump tonight, as the city hosts “Concert In The Park,” featuring the Air Force Band of the West’s “Dimensions In Blue” jazz ensemble at Takas Park, off Crestway Road. Admission is free and the music starts at 6:30 p.m., although early arrivals will get better seats and be able to enjoy the Optimist Club, as it sells sausages, soft drinks and pies to concert-goers.
“Dimensions In Blue” performs a wide variety of music ranging from the classics of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Woody Herman, to the more contemporary sounds of Rob McConnell, Bob Mintzer and Frank Mantooth. The band can also recreate the look and sound of the 1940s Glenn Miller Army Air Corps Jazz Band.

Garden Ridge residents will not feel left out as they have a busy day planned for the Fourth. Parade participants gather at 9:30 a.m. for the 10:30 a.m. start to their annual tradition. A flag-raising ceremony is slated for 10 a.m. before the entries start to make their way through the streets of the city.

Plenty of food booths and activities will be available, including a dunking booth, face-painting, pictures on horseback and a catered barbecue dinner, featuring brisket and sausage for $4 per plate, with proceeds going to Area Crisis Action Centers.

VFW Post 8315 in Schertz will sponsor its Hall of Flags July 4 celebration with live entertainment, food and games at the post, 1000 FM 78, from noon to 8 p.m.