Crews are preparing Pecan Grove West Park in Sherman for the "Lights on the Lake" event, a celebration of America’s 250th birthday scheduled for Thursday. The free public gathering will feature a concert by the band Collective Soul and a fireworks display sponsored by Simmons Bank.
Sarah McRae, the Tourism and Main Street Manager for the City of Sherman, described the production as a major undertaking for the community. She advised attendees to arrive early to avoid traffic congestion and ensure time to settle in before the program begins.
Parking is available near the park entrance, but McRae recommended the Pecan Grove Athletic Complex for paved spaces. Visitors can use wagons to transport items from that lot to the event area. Accessible parking is designated for those with handicap placards, with golf carts provided to move guests to the festivities.
Park gates open at 4 p.m. The schedule begins with the national anthem at 7:15 p.m., followed by the Collective Soul performance at 7:45 p.m. The fireworks show is set for 9:30 p.m. McRae noted that the band remains a prominent act in the alt-rock genre and expressed excitement about their participation.
Additional attractions include nearly 20 vendors and bounce houses for children, which require a $5 wristband. An F-4 Phantom flyover is also planned. McRae highlighted the variety of food and beverage options available on-site, though she confirmed that coolers are permitted inside the park.
