Revelers celebrate Independence Festival early in the fireworks’ season
“Our fireworks show has become famous. When I first came to work here, I didn’t know what to expect. I thought, ‘surely a hotel wouldn’t have a very big show – maybe like five minutes’, but it’s a fantastic fifteen-minute show. I would say it rivals the show the City of Irving puts on.
“They shoot them from the 18th green, so there’s an awesome view.”
She underscored that the resort takes ample precautions for their guests’ safety during the show.
“The fire marshal has to approve the location and the time of the shooting, plus we put up barricades to keep guests at a distance from the launch area,” she explained. “Also, water bins are set up all over the festival area, because we know it’s toasty outside. “
Other crowd-pleasers were the kids’ activities, with lines for both the water slides and for the ‘quad pod,’ a glorified trampoline which allows harnessed children to soar high above their parents.
“This weekend is actually set up to be fun for the kids,” Tolbert said. “There’s lots of activities like foosball, ping pong and water basketball. We have an ice cream cone buffet, face painting and bounce houses, and we brought in the Vic Duncan Band to entertain. And we’re letting kids create sand castles in a special area.
“It’s all together here for families.”
You would expect to see families from Irving, but they also travel from throughout North Texas, and even Central America, to enjoy the atmosphere. Tolbert added that the resort has 431 rooms and offers three nights for the price of two as a special booking package.
Once the kids get busy with their activities, the adults might find they have a little time on their hands. Golf is a draw, of course, as well as fine dining with Café on the Green. For the Independence Festival a special buffet was offered, complete with patriotic décor. A chocolate confection seemed to burst from the table, glimmering with stars.
Member relations manager Jessica Hall had responsibility for planning the event.
“This is my first year doing this,” said Hall. “I’m surprised how many people showed up! We’re glad to see all the families out here.
“Our guests and resort members know what to expect from us, so we just have to deliver.
“There’s one new piece this year, the quad pod. The kids love the adrenaline rush!”
