Let freedom ring!

Cookouts, fireworks, and patriotism: many people across the United States celebrated the Independence Day holiday Tuesday, July 4 — including in Gonzales County.

Nixon kicked off its Fourth of July celebrations with its annual fireworks show at Mustang Stadium Monday, July 3.

People gathered and tailgated as the colors of red, white and blue shined through the night, celebrating the 247^th year of the United States of America declaring its independence from the British.

Kenneth Wilhelm brought in his 1968 M-35 troop carrier with his wife and son to watch the fireworks display in Nixon.

When asked about “What does the Fourth of July mean to you?” he said to celebrate independence and the “ability to be free.”

Wilhelm added he loves the family activities, having barbecues at friends, and watching Fourth of July parades.

Wilhelm also brought his troop carrier to the La Vernia Fourth of July Parade, and he said he’ll decorate it with American flags.

“We bought this just to be able to use it for our group (Coffee, Cars and Veterans) and use it in the parades and stuff because, like tomorrow, we're getting ready to do the Liberty parade. We deck this thing out with 20-foot American flags and a speaker system,” Wilhelm said.

In Gonzales, the town celebrated its Fourth of July celebration with the annual Main Street Star Spangled Spectacular at Independence Square on Tuesday, July 4.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4817 brought back its annual bike parade for the Fourth of July festivities.

The children showed off their Independence Day Spirit with their bikes, tricycles and wagons.

VFW Post Commander and Army veteran Charles Rochester, when asked “What does Fourth of July mean to him?” he said in an emotional response it’s for our freedom.

“I fought for our freedom. I'll fight for our freedom and I will keep fighting for our freedom. To me, this little gathering we have here is one of the best things that we have it small. You know everybody, try to help anybody and everybody, and that's what I like.” Rochester said.

Gonzales closed off its Fourth of July celebration with the annual fireworks show Tuesday night.