GRAPEVINE, Texas — Nothing says freedom like tons and tons of water…melon.
The American patriots at Big Daddy’s Cantina on Grapevine Lake had a fruitful morning, competing to see who could devour a chunk of watermelon first. But before the gluttons gorged, they walked the plank.
That’s the nickname Big Daddy’s has given to the makeshift bridge leading across the lake to the restaurant. It’s there because starting in March, it rained pretty much every weekend for nearly three months.
“So the plank just kept getting longer and longer,” said Nick Kaufman, owner of Big Daddy’s Cantina.
Lake levels are still so high it’s interrupting a 42-year firework tradition.
“Normally we have them every year over Grapevine Lake,” said Mona Quintanilla, Grapevine’s director of marketing and communications.
Quintanilla says the water is 16 feet above normal and the lake is on lockdown.
Despite the closure of many roads and parks around the lake, many people ignore the city’s recommendation to avoid the water during the holiday.
“There’s just all sorts of hazards underwater because there’s signs and everything underwater,” Quintanilla said. “You can cut yourself.”
To safely celebrate, fireworks will now be launched a few miles away, from a grassy field near Great Wolf Lodge, only the second time in four decades the city has been forced to relocate its July 4th celebration.
Quintanilla hopes residents plan accordingly.
“You cannot see anything from Grapevine Lake, as far as fireworks,” she said.
It’s hard to even see them from Big Daddy’s, one of the few places at the lake still accessible.
Regardless, Kaufman says nothing will wash out the celebration.
“Oh, we’re definitely going to celebrate the fourth of July,” Kaufman said. “It’s America’s birthday and our favorite holiday of the year on the lake.”
Water or melon, one way or another, there will be fireworks.
For viewing and parking information, visit here.
Also on WFAA.com: