Fourth of July Fireworks at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center will open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for regular paid visitation. Free admission for the fireworks show will start at 4 p.m.

Visitors are encouraged to fish in the stocked casting pond until 8:30 p.m. while waiting for the fireworks, which will begin about 9 p.m.

No license is required to fish, and bait and tackle are furnished for free as long as supplies last. Fishing ends approximately 30 minutes before the fireworks begin.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and people and encouraged to bring picnics. KCKL (FM 95.5) will broadcast patriotic music during the show.

Pets, alcohol, tobacco products and private fireworks, including "snap caps" and sparklers, are not allowed.

The event has become an area tradition, with many people dressing in red, white and blue keeping with the holiday theme.

Parking is available in the main TFFC parking lot and in an overflow parking area on Peninsula Point Road. Persons using the overflow parking area may enter through Gate C, which is across the street from the parking area.

The fireworks show is sponsored and paid for by the City of Athens, local businesses and individuals.

For more information about this year's fireworks show, please click here.

Athens' Newest Winery is Open for Business

3 P's in a Vine Winery and Vineyard is Athens' newest winery offering the finest wines made from grapes grown in Texas. The beautiful log winery is built on 12 acres and features indoor and outdoor seating for your tasting pleasure.

Enjoy wine tastings in front of the stone fireplace or at the bar. Relax on the patio overlooking the vineyard under the bright starry skies of East Texas.

Special events can be set up by appointment by contacting the winery at 903-677-9463.

3 P's in a Vine is a dream come true for owners Brett and Rae Priestley. In 2012, Brett was doing carpentry work for a local doctor who had a small vineyard of Blanc Du Bois grapes. He was relocating and offered Brett the 8 year old vines and all the post, irrigation, and wine making equipment. Brett had to dig up each vine and transplant it onto their land. In the process of getting the vines transplanted, they only lost one vine out of nearly 100.

After two years of growing the vines and propagating of new vines, they came up with the idea of having their own winery. The winery is built on 12 acres overlooking the vineyard. Rae's daughter came up with name 3 P's in a Vine, the three P's representing their last name.

Rae and Brett hope to give everyone a great, relaxing experience when they visit the winery and vineyard and they are excited to provide their customers with some of the finest wines. All of their wines are made from grapes that are Texas grown.

Rae and Brett feel strongly about educating their patrons on the quality of wines that they can produce here in Texas. Their goal is to have people come to 3 P's in a Vine, and have them leave with a greater appreciation of Texas wine, and feel like they had a great experience at their winery that will make them want to return again and again.

For more information about 3 P's in a Vine including the winery's hours, please click here.