This blog was originally published July 6, 2026, on www.mariewatts.com/blog

My July 4^th was one crazy, fun day. Since it was the 250^th anniversary, I wanted it to be special. I attempted to lure my children and grandchildren to the ranch for a big party. I offered to buy everyone “descendant of patriots” T-shirts to sweeten the deal. No cigar. So I took matters into my own hands and planned a celebration I would remember as long as I can remember anything.

JULY 4^TH AND ROUND TOP

My chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) decided to enter the 176th Round Top, Texas Fourth of July Parade. The first parade was held in 1873 and organized by German immigrants to express their love for their new country. The parade bills itself as the longest-running parade west of the Mississippi River.

The event is run by the Round Top Rifle Association. The association explains its history:

The Round Top Schützen Verein (shooting society) was formed in 1873 by the town’s German heritage inhabitants. It’s (sic) purpose was stated as “the support and encouragement of innocent out-door sports, such as bicycle riding, target and trap shooting, open air athletics, games, dancing, and others of a like character”.   It was modeled after the traditional “protective societies” that safeguarded small communities in Germany.

The 10.5 acre property on which the Rifle Association Hall is located was purchased in 1881.   The dance hall was constructed in 1882 and the 33rd Annual Fourth of July celebration moved to the property.  The site was named Schützen Park, or Sharpshooter’s Park.  It became the locale of many community events – dances, holiday celebrations, shooting contests, cook-offs etc.   A sketch of the early Hall grounds shows the original Hall as well as the area where horses were tied, a bowling alley, a carousel, a saloon, ice cream stand, and of course, outhouses.

The verein changed it’s (sic) name to the Round Top Rifle Association in 1921, when it became incorporated with the state of Texas.  Over the years, the Rifle Hall was updated and modernized and the activities hosted there evolved as well.  Today the Hall is the scene of the famous Round Top Fourth of July celebration, regular shooting contests, and many dances and community parties.

JULY 4^TH AND THE 250^TH ANNIVERSARY PARADE

I’m embarrassed to say that, as long as I’ve lived in the area, I’ve never been to the parade. This year they had a whopping 150 entries! This is a community-centered event and families with kids riding on floats. The floats are homemade, and I had a wonderful time gawking at the creations. As usual, there were horses galore, tractors, giant pickups pulling floats on flatbeds, volunteer fire department crews, and even a reclining lounge chair on wheels.

The exuberant crowd had some getups. Men with bandanas and Willie Nelson braids, fair queens in evening gowns, a guy with his beard painted red, white, and blue, folks with clothing in every design of the American flag, and one truck topped with a huge rubber duckie dressed as Uncle Sam.

We finally got rolling in our wagon pulled by two Belgian draft horses, and I threw candy and trinkets nonstop! I’m still sore from the exercise. Then, I picked up my barbecue to go and took over an hour to get out of town because of all the traffic.

JULY 4^TH AND THE TOWN SQUARE IN LA GRANGE

My next event was at the Fayette County Courthouse in La Grange, Texas, where our DAR chapter dedicated a monument to John Sorrell, who fought in the Revolutionary War and lived in the county. I helped apply patriotic tattoos to the kids (and several adults) who attended the party that started after the dedication.

LAST THOUGHTS ON JULY 4^TH

I love my country, always have, always will. But I want to live in a country where we steadily work to fulfill the promise on which we were founded:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Lately, I’ve felt we’re moving away from bringing these ideals to fruition. And after I get over the high of the weekend, I’ll be back to work to make this a reality for my daughters, grandsons, and future generations.

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