July Fourth fireworks shows are held in three area cities

HARDIN COUNTY — Families across Hardin County gathered for festive Independence Day celebrations at three popular community events hosted by local churches in Lumberton, Kountze and Sour Lake. Journey Community Church in Lumberton hosted its annual Fourth of July celebration on Friday night, July 4, with food trucks, inflatables, live music, and a large fireworks finale. Residents filled the church grounds to enjoy a night of family-friendly entertainment and patriotic spirit. Children played on bounce houses while adults visited vendor booths and enjoyed a variety of local cuisine. Also on Friday night, July 4, Cornerstone Baptist Church in Kountze was the scene for the annual spectacular fireworks show put on by the church and the Kountze Volunteer Fire Department. Several hundred people were on hand during a light rain to enjoy the fireworks and the other activities on church grounds. On Saturday night, July 5, LifePoint Church at Pinewood in Sour Lake continued the festivities with its own community gathering on July 5. The event featured games, live music, and a vibrant fireworks display that lit up the night sky over Pinewood. The atmosphere was festive as neighbors gathered to celebrate faith, freedom, and fellowship. All three events drew large crowds and provided a safe and welcoming environment for families to mark the holiday weekend. From food and fun to fireworks and fellowship, the twin celebrations captured the spirit of Independence Day in Southeast Texas.