Fourth of July – Round Top Rifle Association

Round Top's 4th of July parade is the longest continuously running parade west of the Mississippi.

Thousands come out each year to celebrate our nation's birthday in a great small town way. Round Top has been celebrating the 4th in a big way for 174 years. We hope you'll join us for this long-standing traditional event.

A long and colorful history....

The Round Top community has celebrated the Fourth of July every year since 1851. In fact, it's known as the longest running Fourth of July celebration west of the Mississippi. The rest of the year, Round Top boasts an impressive population of 90 souls, many of German origin. But on the Fourth of July, our neighbors from Houston, Austin, San Antonio and everywhere in between travel into Round Top for a taste of an old-time, small-town Fourth.

The civil war-era cannon roars at 10:30, announcing the parade of handmade floats, antique cars and tractors, fire engines, trail riders and longhorn cattle. The parade circles Round Top square to the enthusiastic strains of Round Top's own Brass Band. Children dart out for candy and trinkets while families and neighbors visit on the town square.

As the parade wraps up, everyone heads a few blocks down FM 1457 to the historic Round Top Rifle Hall. Association members have been up all night preparing mouthwatering beef brisket, pork butts, and sausage on the Hall's huge wood fired pits. German style potatoes, cole slaw, and homemade desserts round out a delicious buffet lunch.

Music is offered throughout the afternoon by the Round Top Brass Band, the Round Top Jam Session, and Cool Freddie and the Crew. The Fourth of July Raffle will be offered with an impressive Grand Prize. The raffle drawing will be held as soon as all 1,500 tickets are sold – or at 3:00 p.m., whichever comes first. A list of winners will be posted at the Hall and winners will be notified by phone or email. You need not be present to win. Come join us for a fun-filled old fashioned Fourth!

The blast of the civil war style cannon can be heard from miles around.

The Brass Band provides lively entertainment for all parade goers along the route.

Family & friends of the Rifle Hall help serve guests.

The Rifle Hall Members and friends spend the previous day and night preparing brisket for the meal.

That blasted cannon....

Traditionally in Round Top, a cannon was fired as the official start of the July 4 celebration. In 1889, for some reason, the cannon did not fire. The President of the Rifle Association, John George Kaiser, bent over to inspect the cannon when it suddenly exploded. Mr. Kaiser was severely injured and died several days later from loss of blood and infection.

In 1975, in anticipation of the U.S. Bicentennial celebration, then Mayor Don Nagel had the cannon fragments restored so once again it could sound the start of the parade.