4 Reasons to Put a Corpus Christi "Big Bang" in Your 4th of July

Corpus Christi marks the 4th of July with a Big Bang! This five-day event, scheduled for Thursday, June 30 through Monday, July 4, is packed with activities to celebrate the holiday along with our beautiful Texas summer days.

Just in case you need a little preview, here are four reasons to put a Big Bang in your 4th of July festivities.

What's more all-American than hot dogs, beer and baseball? The Corpus Christi Hooks, Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, will be playing home games at 7:05 p.m. each night of the Big Bang. Thursday and Friday feature cap giveaways, or you can enjoy post-game fireworks Saturday through Monday. Tickets range from $8 to $17, with discounts for advance purchase.

Corpus Christi's favorite venue for live music has an eclectic lineup scheduled for the holiday weekend:

• Thursday, 6/30: Country singer-songwriter Jon Wolfe
• Friday, 7/1: 80s cover band The Spazmatics
• Saturday, 7/2: 80th birthday celebration for country singer Bill Creager, featuring his son Roger Creager.
• Sunday, 7/3: Award-winning alt-rock favorite Bob Schneider

Brewster Street also offers a food and drink menu. All shows begin at 9 p.m., with tickets available online or at the door.

Add a little culture to your weekend with a visit to AMST. Regular admission, normally $8, is free on Thursday and only $1 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Current exhibits include "Liquid Light: Photographs from Beneath the Sea" and "Target: Texas - The Meanings of Mixed (Media)."

Big Bang's showcase event starts with a parade for "kids" of all ages at 11:30 a.m. Kids' Zone, with activities including rides, a petting zoo and face painting, will be set up along with a food truck court between Sherrill Park and the Great Lawn. At 9 p.m., Harbor Bridge is the site of a magnificent light show synchronized to patriotic music, while festivities close at 9:30 p.m. with a spectacular fireworks display over Corpus Christi Bay.

What other Big Bang events are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments!