Woodlands growth shifts planning for fireworks
As new buildings take shape, there’s fewer viewing locations available for annual July Fourth celebration
A changing skyline in The Woodlands has proven to be a challenge — when it comes to planning the 17th annual Red Hot and Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza for July Fourth.
Nick Wolda, president of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau, explained that the usual prime spots for watching the show may be blocked this year.
“There’s a lot of office construction — newbuildings, new towers — down on the Waterway,” he said. “The Woodlands is a grow- ing place. You can’t always do things the way you’ve always done in the past.”
Wolda explained that organizers had to take this into consideration when planning this year’s event.
“We had heard feedback about this the past couple of years, and we knew that we would have to change the show up this year,” he said.
Luckily, The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau has settled on the what may be the perfect spot — the mile-long path along The Woodlands Waterway.
“The fireworks will be
different, but they’re still going to be spectacular,” Wolda said. “You just have to get closer in.”
This year, the Red, Hot and Blue Fireworks Extravaganza presented by BBVA Compass will be launched simultaneously from Town Green Parkand Waterway Square. Both displays will last for about 20minutes, and will simulcast live on radio station KODA Sunny 99.1-FM.
One of the country’s leading fireworks companies, Pyro Shows, is designing the display.
Mike Walden, president of Pyro Shows of Texas located in Fort Worth, said the event in The Woodlands will have more pyrotechnic effects than usual.
“It’s a different show,” he said. “Most of the time, it’s about fireworks in the air. With these, fireworks, from when they leave the ground until the get up in the air, they will be doing something the whole time.”
Walden said designing the show was a challenge. “The good thing about The Woodlands is that everyone got together and got the creative juices flowing,” he said. “I think it will be one of the coolest shows not just in Texas but in the entire country onthe 4th.”
The best place to view the show will be along the Waterway, Wolda said. Parking will be available at the Pavilion and in The Woodlands Mall.
“Park in one of those two locations and walk down to the Waterway,” Wolda said.
Town Green Park, Waterway Square and various points along The Woodlands Waterway will be ideal spots to stop and watch the display, he added.
The fireworks show has been condensed from year’s past. Wolda explained that the construction of newbuildings in the Town Center makes it too difficult to launch a larger display.
“Alarger fireworks show requires the safety zone to be much larger,” he said. “We’re having difficulty to find the best locations for that.”
For this year, however, The Woodlands Waterway has plenty of room for thousands of people to see the fireworks from a closer vantage without the obstruction of buildings.
“This is just the play for this year, as we transition,” Wolda said. “We want the show to be seen at its best. This year’s show will be great; people will be very impressed.”
Test shots will be con- ducted around every ten minutes from 8:40 p.m. to 9:10 p.m. to ensure individuals along The Woodlands Waterway will have the best views for the show.
Wolda said that attendees should note that viewing locations from previous years may not be available in 2014 due to the new launch locations.
“They won’t be able to go to some of their favorite places,” he said. “Youwon’t be able to see from Oak Ridge, you won’t be able to see fromthe golf courses or Pinecroft center.”
He said that guests at the Red, Hot and Blue Festival and Fireworks Extrava- ganza will also enjoy live music on two stages — one at Town Green Park and another at Waterway Square.
There will also be hot dog and watermelon eating contests, face painting, strolling performers, games, inflatables, arts and crafts, concessions and a beer tent.
The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until 10 p.m. The fireworks show will start at dusk — approximately 9:10 p.m.
For residents who want to get in the spirit of the celebration early — or who would like to preview the show to come — The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau is hosting a seven-minute fireworks display every Saturday night at Town Square — leading up to the extravaganza on July 4.
A complete schedule of activities, directions and parking for the 17th annual Red Hot and Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza can be found on the event’s website, www.redhotblue.org.