Families in Denton County celebrated the Fourth of July Holiday with parades and live entertainment.
A little friendly competition started off the day's festivities in Denton and Lake Dallas.
The Fourth of July Jubilee in Denton featured indoor games, an intense gutter boat race, and a whipped-cream pie-eating contest.
"I am just going to go with eating as fast as I can, and I'm not going to eat lunch," pie-eating contestant Johnathan Clanton said.
Cpl. Tyrone Johnson, who came to the celebration with his family, said the holiday carries a special meaning.
"This is the first one I have been home to in a couple of years," he said. "[People] talk about fighting for freedom -- to actually go do it and come back on July Fourth -- it's amazing because you got people thanking you so much, hugging and crying. That's what I look forward to. That's why I do it."
Just a few miles down the road in Lake Dallas, The Lake Cities Celebration featured live music, apple pie and plenty of American pride. The day will wrap up with a fireworks show.
