Pandemic Won’t Stop the West’s Oldest July 4th Festivities in Round Top

At a meeting Monday by teleconference, Round Top council members decided to go forward with plans for the annual July 4th celebration and parade as well as the town’s sesquicentennial birthday event on August 1 pending further developments with the Covid-19 pandemic.

The July 4 celebration in Round Top is considered the longest running annual Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi River.

With regard to July 4, Mayor Barry Bone said he had conferred with Michael Sacks of Round Top Rifle Association, which sponsors the parade. Sacks said the event will be restricted but not cancelled. Under consideration are possible changes such as limiting entries to 50, no items being thrown and spectators parked along the route remaining in vehicles.

Sesquicentennial planner Sally Reynolds told the council that “people are already looking forward to it.” She said she has a “positive attitude” in supporting it.

Mayor Bone said, “I’m in favor of continuing to plan and hold this event. I’m told by (County Emergency Coordinator) Craig Moreau that he continues to think things will open up and they are looking at some other events like a rodeo. He said you can continue to plan, but events could always be canceled.”

Councilwoman Amy Bone said her committee is “very happy with the sponsorships for the history books and for the celebrations. It is twice what we had expected.” A planned added attraction to encourage attendance will be a barbecue cook off between teams from Fayette and Washington counties.

After some discussion, council appointed council member Keith Sharp to represent the town at Chamber of Commerce meetings to improve communication between the two bodies.

At Mayor Bones’ suggestion, council agreed to pursue a Low-speed Vehicle Ordinance. He noted that “there are several people who are using golf carts in town. We need to regulate them. They need to be banned or approved.”

He noted that “In Rollingwood (an Austin suburb he was once mayor of) this was something that people wanted. They ended up permitting them.” He said at his request building official Wayne Tutt had researched towns which permit these vehicles and drafted an ordinance. The mayor said, “We can forward it to the town attorney or he can prepare an ordinance to ban it. I’m in favor of allowing these in the town limits. They would cross 237 but not be on 237. Operators would have to be 16 years old and have a driver’s license. Seat belts on, too.”

Councilwoman Amy Bone said the town “should consider allowing carts to go to the Mercantile and other businesses on 237 after the speed limit is lowered to 35 mph.” Councilman Jerry Hinkle asked “What problem are we solving by doing this? What problems are we creating?” He suggested they only be operated in daylight and asked if Tutt had consulted with Constable Roger Wunderlich.

Councilman Mark Massey said “Wunderlich does not like them at all. I am in favor of them crossing 237 and in town. I would not be in favor of them on 237 because of gravel trucks, etc. Most of these drivers are kids and teenagers. Allowing them to travel along 237, especially at night, I would not be in favor of.” The council voted unanimously to send the draft ordinance permitting golf cart type vehicles on city streets to the town’s attorney.

On the subject of whether to go on meeting by teleconference, the council decided to continue on a month-by-month basis.