Mansfield is going big for summer. Next Thursday, July 2, KemperSports is rolling out its Summer Freedom Fest at the Fields at Station 63, a three-hour evening of family fun, a high-tech drone show and a full-scale fireworks finale.
The festival runs 7 to 10 p.m., with a choreographed drone show set to lift off from the Fields shortly after dusk, followed by a fireworks spectacle launching from Michael L. Skinner Sports Complex around 9 p.m. City officials say the Skinner complex itself will be closed to the public during the launch, but parking lots at nearby Vernon Newsom Stadium will be opened as a viewing area. Organizers are also promising family activities, food vendors and live music to fill the time between sunset and sky show.
According to event listings from the city's tourism office, Summer Freedom Fest officially begins at 7 p.m. at the Fields at Station 63, with $5 general admission and optional Fun Zone and VIP upgrades, per Visit Mansfield. The guide notes the Independence Day drone show is expected to run roughly 12 minutes and will launch from the Fields shortly after dusk. Anyone looking for tickets or vendor details is directed to the Fields at Station 63 event page for more information.
Where to watch
The fireworks portion of the evening will be launched from Skinner Sports Complex, and the city is clear that the complex will be closed to the public during the show. Instead, the parking lots at Vernon Newsom Stadium will serve as a free public viewing area, according to the event FAQ.
Mansfield Rocks and the city calendar both flag Newsom as the recommended vantage point and note that the fireworks can be seen from a wide radius across south Tarrant County, so viewers may catch the show from multiple nearby spots if stadium lots fill up.
What to expect
Organizers are treating the night like a two-act production. First up is the Independence Day drone show from the Fields at Station 63, clocking in at about 12 minutes. That will roll straight into the traditional fireworks portion, scheduled to start around 9 p.m. from Skinner Sports Complex. Visit Mansfield lays out that timeline and the handoff between drones and pyrotechnics.
Organizers and tickets
KemperSports is hosting Summer Freedom Fest at the Fields at Station 63, with the event presented by Texas Health Hospital Mansfield, according to organizers. The Mansfield Special Events announcement on Facebook lists show times and pegs the fireworks segment at roughly 22 minutes. The Fields at Station 63 site carries contact information and ticketing details for the family-friendly night.
Fields at Station 63 (KemperSports) and the event post on Mansfield Special Events on Facebook have additional information on who is behind the show and how to get in touch.
Plan ahead
The city is urging attendees to arrive early and stick to designated parking areas to keep traffic from getting snarled before showtime. Organizers also stress that the Skinner complex itself will not be open to the public during the fireworks, so viewers should plan on watching from Vernon Newsom Stadium or other approved spots.
For questions about field operations, accessibility or vendor participation, residents are encouraged to contact the Parks & Recreation office or check the city calendar for maps and parking instructions. The City of Mansfield parks page includes phone numbers, addresses and other key details for Skinner Sports Complex.
