Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4372 is ready to celebrate the Fourth of July, and they’re asking Ector County residents to join them.
Members of the VFW post have scheduled several events to celebrate the federal holiday.
Starting at noon, ice cream truck and vendors will be on location at the VFW Bingo Hall, 208 E. VFW Lane. Hamburgers, hot dogs and cotton candy will be served at 1 p.m., and numerous water events will begin at 2 p.m.
Fireworks will begin after sundown. VFW Post Commander Rick Mitchell said the event is free to the public.
“Even if somebody wants to leave a donation of a penny … all donations will go to our relief fund that helps veterans and veteran spouses,” Mitchell said.
The City of Odessa’s Firecracker Fandango is also scheduled from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., July 4 in downtown Odessa; however, Mitchell said the VFW is not competing with the city. Instead, he said it is a way to give residents a chance to celebrate with veterans if they cannot make a trip downtown.
“There’s no way we could compete with what they do at Firecracker Fandango,” Mitchell said. “This is something that if parents want to come out and bring their kids, make sure they bring a towel and shoes to dry off with because we have a day of fun.”
The event is one of several the VFW has hosted to welcome community members into the post to meet the veterans in their area.
The Post Auxiliary held a breakfast on June 15, Mitchell said, adding 50 people attended. Two additional breakfasts are scheduled for July 27 and Aug. 10 at the Bingo Hall.
Veterans and active-duty military members eat for free. The public can purchase entry into breakfast for $10, and children are $5. The event is cash only.
“The veterans that came in and had a free breakfast enjoyed talking with other veterans just shooting the bull,” Mitchell said.
If you go
- What: VFW Fourth of July event.
- When: noon, July 4.
- Where: VFW Bingo Hall, 208 E. VFW Lane.
- Cost: Free.
- Multiple events are scheduled during the day. Ice cream truck will be on location from noon to 2 p.m.; hamburgers and hot dogs at 1 p.m.; vendors on site from noon to 3 p.m.; cotton candy from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; splash tower, kitty water park, water balloons and water guns from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; fireworks at dark.
