Red Horse’s July 4 bash to become yearly tradition

Alana Smith moved to Bandera in June, 2014, and has been very busy since.

Smith, who owns three local bars and is the Hondo National Bank’s operations officer, said she wants to give back to the community that welcomed her with open arms.

One of the ways she wanted to show her thanks was to put on a large patriotic event and she did just that on Sunday, July 4.

The Fourth of July Celebration started at 3 p.m. and went until midnight and included a Backyard BBQ Cook-Off, all-day DJ, cornhole tournament, vendors, bounce house with water, and a huge fireworks show.

“It was very successful, and yes, it will be an annual event,” Smith said. “We want this to be a family friendly event where people get to know each other and everyone is having fun.”

One of the vendors at the event was Susie Weldon and her husband, Richard.

Susie said she and her husband were both captains of fishing boats working in the gulf and now run the Big Star Farm, attending events to sell vegetables and pastries.

“We like to travel and go to events where we can sell our goods and meet new people,” Susie Weldon said.

Cristina and Rodrido Lopez were also at the event with a group of family and friends to enjoy the nation’s birthday.

“Our group is happy being together, and we want to watch our family members participate in the cornhole tournament and then see fireworks,” Cristina Lopez said.