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KBTX reporter Meredith Stancik and cameraman Craig Weaver film a live scene at 5 p.m. with all of the American historical characters present on Wednesday at the Bush Library for the Fourth of July celebration. They included Annie Oakley, Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart and Uncle Sam.

University of Texas audiology sophomore Hilary Francis volunteers at the I Love America celebration at the Bush Library Wednesday afternoon. She gave temporary tattoos to children attending the celebration.

Elvis made an appearance and serenaded the crowd Wednesday evening at the Bush Library before the fireworks display.

The Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra played music selections such as the theme from Disney's Pirates of the Carribeans Wednesday night at the "I Love America" celebration in front of the Bush Library.

Mechanical engineering major Jeremy Dudik, international studies major Micah Barnes and general studies major Jason Roeth, all sophomores, dump water out of an inflatable moonwalk during the Fourth of July celebration Wednesday at the Bush Library. The trio volunteered their time watching over children playing in the inflatable rides.

Fantastic Fourth: B-CS residents gather to celebrate Independence Day

By: Calli Turner

Posted: 7/5/07

Even rain couldn't stop Uncle Sam on Wednesday.

"I'm looking forward to the fireworks, that's my favorite," said Larry Adams, who played Uncle Sam as a member of the Brazos Valley Troupe. Uncle Sam, along with George Washington, Annie Oakley, Teddy Roosevelt and many other characters greeted children at the "I love America" Lions Club International's Fourth of July Celebration.

The Lions Club, the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum and many College Station and Texas A&M organizations teamed up to host the annual event. The Library pitched in by providing free admission.

Many members of A&M's Corps of Cadets could be spotted helping with the bounce house, inflatable slide and other children's activities.

Jeremy Dudik, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, said it gave him a good feeling to help out with the celebration.

"Anything you could probably think of, [the Corps is] helping out," Dudik said.

The Library did more than provide the location, it served as a shelter from the rain. Numerous people filed into the museum when the rain began, only to find more excitement indoors. A clown was on site to provide balloon animals for children - even a set of horns for a few lost Longhorn fans.

The Aggieland Lions Club partnered with the College Station Lions to help with the festivities.

Aggieland club member Valarie Meuth, a sophomore general studies major, volunteered at the children's activities and said the rain was her favorite part of the day, because it helped to cool down.

The sun came out just in time for the Texas Unlimited Band (TUB) to arrange their set for the fourth year in a row.

Band member Tim Langham, former Bryan resident and Lion's Club Member, said the Fourth of July event is always fun and the rain is nothing new for TUB.

The buzz around the celebration was whether the fireworks display would take place. Even with the free watermelon, Slovacek's sausage and inflatable houses, the Fourth of July isn't the Fourth of July without fireworks, attendants said.

"We have rain, but we've had rain almost every time and it will clear and we'll still have fun in spite of the rain," said College Station's Lions Club First Vice President Thom Holt. "We haven't missed [the fireworks] yet, knock on wood, and we plan to have it."

Fun was in the atmosphere, and when 9:20 p.m. rolled around, it definitely was the Fourth of July, to the pleasure of everyone in attendance.