Runge will celebrate Independence Day June 30 this year with a downtown morning parade, midday barbecue meal, and an evening ceremony honoring veterans just before the fireworks show at Lake Paul Park in Runge.

The parade will run through downtown Runge starting at 10 a.m. and will be immediately followed by the barbecue meal at the Runge VFW Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Runge also will offer many other activities at the VFW hall between the morning and evening celebrations, including a raffle, silent auction, arts and crafts, food booths, volleyball and horseshoe tournaments, games, and music.

Runge VFW members are asking veterans of all wars to step forward and be recognized at the evening ceremony, which starts at 8 p.m. at the baseball field next to the VFW hall.

"Normally we just have the fireworks," Runge VFW member Jack Roberson explained.

This year, Veterans of all wars will be recognized and honored with pins while military service music plays. A representative from Congressman Ruben Hinojosa’s office will give a speech and Runge First Baptist Pastor Keith Powers will sing the National Anthem.

The grand finale will follow shortly afterward where $1,500 worth of fireworks will explode in the sky over Runge. The city’s annual fireworks show traditionally is one of the largest in the area and is made possible each year by a donation from HEB.

"This is the biggest bunch of fireworks that we’ve had in a pretty good while," Roberson said.

He estimated the show will last around 45 minutes.