At points during this week’s Fourth of July festivities, Canyon’s population will swell to almost triple its usual size of 13,300.

The Canyon Chamber of Commerce estimates 30,000 to 40,000 people will gather to attend the city’s patriotic events, which begins Monday and runs nearly all day on July 4.

"It is one of the largest Fourth of July (events) in Texas," said Stefanie Rodarte-Suto, Fourth of July event planner for the Chamber. "People love the tradition and the true hometown feel. Our residents and our first responders all get together to make it happen and make it something special."

American independence celebrations have been going on in Canyon in some form or fashion since the town was founded in 1877. This year, the two-day party kicks off on July 3rd at 6:30 p.m., when gates open for the "Kickin’ It in Canyon" concert in the First United Bank Center parking lot at 3310 Fourth Ave., adjacent to West Texas A&M University. The concert features Pat Green and the Buster Bledsoe Band. Tickets to the concert are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Music begins at 7 p.m.

For the last two years, the concert has been held on July 4 along with a firework display at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium, home field for the WT Buffs. Breaking apart the two events to separate days allowed the Chamber to move the party back into town, where food trucks and beer vendors can serve the concert, Rodarte-Suto said.

The Fourth of July begins early with the annual Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 10:30 a.m., hosted by the Canyon Lions Club in the Cole Community Center at 300 16th St. Get there early and chow down fast, because the Independence Day Parade starts at 10 am. The parade begins at the FUBC at Fourth Avenue and Russell Long Boulevard and travels straight down Fourth Avenue, ending at Canyon’s historic downtown square.

The parade is such a draw for people all over the Texas Panhandle that they come into town the night before and park their cars and trucks along Fourth Avenue overnight to save themselves a good vantage point.

"It gives people the chance to experience real small-town America for a day or two," said Jill Shelton, who along with husband Van owns the historic Hudspeth House Bed and Breakfast Inn on Fourth Avenue. "People sit around in lawn chairs just laughing, talking and watching the parade go by. For a little while, they leave their busy lives behind and things are simple again."

The two-hour parade marches to the square downtown for good reason. The area filled with small shops and local personality explodes with the "Fair on the Square" from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Streets are blocked off so that families can enjoy food, entertainment and shopping with more than 150 vendors. Visitors can find everything from homemade jellies and fresh honey to original clothing. A special Kids’ Area is planned for the younger members of the crowd.

This year, the fireworks show moves to Conner Park on 12th Avenue. The Chamber received requests from residents to move the show back into town — where it had more of a hometown feel — according to Elizabeth Carlson, an administrative assistant with the Chamber.

Pre-fireworks music in the park will begin at 6 p.m., courtesy of local bands CFR and No Agenda. Fireworks are scheduled to begin around 10 p.m. The park will be open all day, and people are welcome to come at any time to picnic and gather before the fireworks begins. Glass is one of the few things that will be prohibited in the park.

"People coming to enjoy the fireworks need to bring chairs, blankets and whatever makes them comfortable," Carlson said.

City officials had hoped that a new $6 million water park would be open in time for the Fourth of July celebration, but the opening is now set for later in July.

"We recently received a new punch list of things that need to be done, and we are now really hoping to open around July 7th or 8th," said Assistant Canyon City Manager John Behrens.

The water park will feature a 7,590-square foot aquatic center, two 25-foot slides, a lazy river and a zero-entry children’s play area. For more information on the project, visit http://www.canyontx.com.