Couple Exchanges Vows on Round Top Parade Float
Getting married on a parade float is a spectacularly unique, high-energy way to tie the knot. It combines a legal, mobile ceremony with a built-in party and thousands of cheering guests. This is exactly what occurred in Round Top during the July 4th Parade last weekend.
The bride grew up in Bellville, attending the Round Top July 4th parade as a child. The groom was from New Jersey. When she wanted to introduce her fiancé to authentic small town Texas life a few years ago, she decided to bring him to the Round Top July 4th parade, and both loved it.
When wedding planning time arrived, the couple knew they wanted something extra special. The bride searched for just the right venue, church, and idea, and finally landed on the unique idea of getting married on a parade float.
She contacted and met Pastor Bill Miller at St. Cecelia’s in Round Top, who was open to the idea. The bride’s father and brother built the float to look like the Haw Creek Chapel in Henkel Square in Round Top. So, on the morning of July 4th at the Round Top Rifle Association Hall, the wedding took place. Most of the ceremony took place on the float prior to the parade.
As the parade began and headed off toward town, they paused the service briefly until they reached the spot on the parade route where most of their friends and family were gathered. At that point, they stopped the float to allow Pastor Bill to conclude the service by introducing the couple, pronouncing them husband and wife, and having the groom kiss his bride while their family and friends watched and cheered. The crowds burst into applause and shouts of “Congratulations.” During the remainder of the parade, parade watchers along the route saw the “Just Married” sign on the float and slowly realized that a real wedding had just occurred. They also shared their joy with applauding and cheering.
Round Top Rifle Hall
The Round Top Rifle Hall reports that their 4th of July celebration was a great success with a large crowd, a record number of floats, fun raffle prizes, great BBQ, and the return of a traditional evening dance. They thank all their supporters, sponsors, and volunteers.
The Round Top Rifle Hall members have decided to pause all Monday Social Burger Nights for the month of July. Their crew of volunteers will be taking the month of July off. The next scheduled Burger Night will be on August 3.
Do Your Duty Club
The Do Your Duty Club of Round Top is very grateful, proud, and honored that their DYD float in the Round Top 4th of July Parade was selected as the Grand Prize Winner in the Decorated Floats category. Special congratulations to Tami Bone, who was the head of their float committee, for a job well done.
Shakespeare at Winedale
Shakespeare at Winedale will be holding a Camp Shakespeare performance of “1603 Hamlet” on Sunday, July 12 at 2 p.m. The play will take place at the historical center in Windedale at 3629 FM 2714, Round Top, 78954. Dress in cool, comfortable clothing with the Texas summer heat in mind. The students perform in a century-old hay barn that has been converted into an Elizabethan-style theatre. For tickets and more info, go to shakespeare-winedale.org.
Round Top Family Library Congratulations to the Round Top Family Library for winning First Prize on their Decorated Float in the 2026 Round Top Fourth of July Parade.
The Kids’ Summer Enrichment and Education (S.E.E.) program continues this week with exciting opportunities for students to learn, create, and explore. Session 4 classes begin July 13 and include Science (Grades 4–6), Theater (ages 9 and up), Arts and Crafts (Kindergarten - 3rd Grade, and Cooking (Grades 4-6). A limited number of spots remain available in select classes. Families interested in registering are encouraged to visit the library’s website for current availability and registration information.
Children’s Story Time will be held on Wednesday, July 15, at 10:15 a.m. for a special children’s story time presented by Melanie Chrismer. Children and families are invited to enjoy stories, fun, and community at the library.
Mark your calendars for the End of Summer Party on Wednesday, July 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Round Top Rifle Hall. The celebration will kick off with an exciting presentation by Texas Snakes and More, followed by the announcement of the final Big Draw winner. It’s a fun-filled afternoon you won’t want to miss.
The Round Top Family Library offers free fitness classes five days a week, including Yoga, Chair Yoga, and Muscle/ Core Training. Classes are open to all fitness levels and are designed for both beginners and experienced participants. Whether you’re looking to build strength, improve flexibility, or stay active, RTFL is a great place to keep moving throughout the week.
Class schedules and details are available on the library’s online calendar at www.ilovetoread. org. All classes are free and open to the public.
The library is looking for individuals to join their volunteer team. From helping in children’s programs, gardening, event planning and more, there are opportunities for every interest level. For more information, go to http://www. ilovetoread.org and click on the “Help the Library” tab or call (979) 249-2700.
Round Top Festival Hill Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of music as Round Top Festival Institute concludes its 2026 Summer Festival.
The festivities begin on Friday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. with the Young Artist Chamber Music Showcase, featuring five great chamber works performed by our young musicians. On Saturday, July 11, the Percussion Showcase at 1:30 p.m. will present a dazzling array of music for anything that can be hit with a stick. The Closing Chamber Music Concert at 3:30 p.m. features our faculty performing two masterpieces by Bartók and Brahms.
The 2026 Summer Festival reaches its grand finale Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. with the Closing Orchestra Concert under the direction of Texas-born conductor Carl St. Clair. The performance will spotlight Founder and Artistic Director James Dick, violinist Chen Zhao, and cellist Juliette Herlin in Beethoven’s Triple Concerto. The summer concludes with Tchaikovsky’s epic and emotional Symphony No. 6. A Gala on the Plaza will follow, with hors d’oeuvres and beverages served.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit festivalhill. org or call (979) 2493129. For updates and behind the scenes highlights, follow Round Top Festival Institute on Facebook and Instagram.
Round Top Lion’s Club
The 10th Annual Turkey Trot will be held on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26 at 8 a.m. in Round Top. Participants may choose a timed 10K, 5K or a One-Mile Fun Run, and can register now at www.AthleteGuild.com. For questions, please contact Pam Langford at (979) 530-5086.
The Round Top Lions Club meets on the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month. They encourage anyone interested in becoming a member to please join this wonderful organization which greatly serves our community.
Historic Photo Exhibits
Two historic photo exhibitions are currently being displayed in Round Top for free admission to both locations.
The Round Top Courthouse exhibit will be open from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. on July 9, 10, 11, 12.
The Round Top Area Historical Society exhibit will be open from 1-4 p.m. on July 11, 18, and 25. Their pavilion is located at 397 E. Mill Street in Round Top.
Round Top American Legion
American Legion Quade-Werchan Post #338 and Auxiliary will not hold a meeting in July. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 6, at their facilities located at 1503 N. State Highway 237; Round Top, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church On Aug. 13, Bethlehem Lutheran Church will be hosting the annual Round Top-Carmine I.S.D. Back-to-School Teacher Breakfast. If anyone wishes to donate a door prize for the teachers, please contact Julie Wantland, Sherry Pennington, or call the church office at (979) 249-3686.
Sunday Church Services Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Round Top, at 9:30 a.m.; Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Round Top, at 10:30 a.m.; Round Top Church Christian Fellowship, Round Top, at 10 a.m.; St. Cecilia’s Episcopal Church, Round Top, at 8:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.; St. John’s Lutheran Church, Warrenton, at 8:30 a.m.; St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Shelby, at 8 a.m.
Celebrations
Happy Birthdays Clint Eilers, Victor Weishuhn, Justin Krebs-July 9; Holly Krebs-July 10; Jimmie Finke-July 11; Ronny Sacks, Charles Buro- July 12; Cassidy Tiemann, Kathy Schatte - July 15.
Happy 28th Anniversary to Calvin and Suzanne Krause on July 11; Happy 40th to Lee and Sherry Pennington on July 12; and Happy 25th to Clay and Jamie Goehring on July 14.
Have News?
Round Top area, please send any news or notices you wish to share with readers of the Round Top News column to SherryPen@icloud.com by Monday morning for the following Friday’s paper.
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