Independence Day got off to a strong start in the Rio Grande Valley.
The Fourth of July started with a parade around 9 a.m. in McAllen where large crowds turned out for the event.
McAllen officials are holding a festival in Archer Park early this afternoon.
Weslaco are residents headed to Estero Llano State Park for a Fourth of July picnic that ends at 3 p.m.
Brownsville residents packed downtown for a parade that that started right after 10 a.m.
Festivities in Brownsville continue at the old Amigoland Mall with the Freedom Festival and a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.
Harlingen officials are holding a Fourth of July parade on Jackson Street.
The Harlingen parade will be followed with a concert in Fair Park with Jimmy Gonzalez & Grupo Mazz and then a fireworks display after 10:30 p.m.
Thousands of visitors are expected to head to South Padre Island where the Valley's largest Fourth of July fireworks display is expected to start around 9:45 p.m. tonight.
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