(Wednesday, June 30, 2004) - Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie's eighth annual Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebration spans the holiday weekend this year with two nights of fireworks after live Thoroughbred racing.

The post-race holiday fireworks extravaganzas will be staged Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4. Both fireworks displays are synchronized to rousing soundtracks courtesy of popular local radio stations - 93.3 FM The Bone on Saturday and 99.5 FM The Wolf on Sunday.

The Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebrations are scheduled to begin 30 minutes after Lone Star Park's final live race on both nights at approximately 10 p.m. The 20-minute pyrotechnics are launched from Lone Star Park's infield and are some of the most spectacular in North Texas.

The first of 10 live races on the special twilight programs is 5 p.m. Grandstand gates open early at 3 p.m. General admission to the Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebrations is $3. Children under three are admitted free. General parking is $2. For reserved seating, call (972) 263-PONY or (800) 795-RACE.

In addition to exciting live racing and the fireworks shows, there will be plenty of entertainment, beginning at 3 p.m. in the Family Fun Park (west end of the facility) and 5:30 p.m. in the racetrack's Courtyard of Champions (located between the west end of Grandstand and Post Time Pavilion). Activities for the entire family include pony rides, a petting zoo, interactive games, bounce houses, giant slides, arts and crafts vendors, strolling clowns and face painters.

Music will be prominent between live races on both days in the Courtyard of Champions, as well. On Saturday, Cuvee will perform beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sunday's musical act is The Factory, also scheduled to play at 5:30 p.m.

The Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame Trailer will be on hand both days. Football fans can experience an interactive review of Cowboys history and a look at the franchise's current stars.

On Sunday, the Dallas Desperados Dancers will welcome patrons at Grandstand entrances and sign autographs from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. The beauties will also perform in the winner's circle prior to that night's fireworks display.

Musicians will greet and entertain patrons entering the Lone Star Park's East Gate entrance Saturday and Sunday. Characters on stilts, including "Uncle Sam," also will be at entrance gates and strolling the grounds.

The featured Thoroughbred race on Saturday is the $75,000 Bob Johnson Memorial for older horses at one mile, which could include defending race champion and 2003 Lone Star Park Horse of the Meeting Pie N Burger. Sunday's main event is a July 4 tradition, the $100,000 Lone Star Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on turf.

There's also a special live racing program on Monday, July 5 for the national holiday observance. The first race is scheduled for 1:35 p.m.