Glen Rose, Texas, known as the 'Dinosaur Capital of Texas,' is gearing up for a summer packed with events designed to draw visitors for overnight stays. The town will host a Fourth of July celebration featuring fireworks and live music, followed by a concert from Texas country band Reckless Kelly at the newly remodeled Texas Amphitheater on July 18.
Traci Niedziela, Tourism Director for Explore Glen Rose, emphasized the importance of these events for the local economy. 'July is the perfect time to discover everything Glen Rose has to offer,' she said. '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 Fourth of July festivities begin at 8:00 AM with a pancake breakfast at the Senior Citizen Center, followed by a hometown parade around the historic downtown square at 10:00 AM. From noon to 2:00 PM, Dinosaur World will host a family celebration with live music, hot dog eating contests, and giveaways. A ceremony at the Creation Evidence Museum takes place at 2:00 PM, and the evening culminates with fireworks and a free concert by the Brady Hulsey Band at Wheeler Branch Park starting at 7:00 PM.
On July 18, Reckless Kelly will perform at the Texas Amphitheater, a historic open-air venue recently acquired and renovated with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems. The venue's signature water moat is expected to enhance the concert experience. Tickets, starting at $55, are available on Eventbrite.
Glen Rose offers a range of accommodations, from boutique hotels to riverside cabins, making it easy for visitors to extend their stay. The town also features 98 custom-painted dinosaurs, with a free scavenger hunt via the Bandwango app. Participants who complete all 35 stops earn a free entry pass to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center.
Other attractions include Dinosaur Valley State Park, where visitors can see real dinosaur tracks; Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, a drive-through safari; and Dinosaur World, with hundreds of life-sized dinosaur exhibits. The Paluxy River Walk, Big Rocks Park, and the historic town square offer additional leisure options.
Located about 75 miles southwest of Dallas-Fort Worth and 90 miles north of Austin, Glen Rose combines natural wonders with small-town hospitality. These summer events are expected to boost local tourism and highlight the town's unique paleontological heritage.
