WHERE TO CELEBRATE IN THE HOUSTON AREA
In addition to downtown Houston’s Freedom Over Texas extravaganza with Kellie Pickler, there are many more options for southeast Texans who want to celebrate July 4 with a bang. Here are some of the other events to explore.
The Houston Symphony has added special music to their Fourth of July performances this year. At their free Spar-Spangled
Salute, taking place Wednesday at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins in The
Woodlands, and July 4 at Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive, the 88-musician ensemble will perform a salute in honor of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. The special medley of songs includes “Moondance” by Van Morrison and music from the closing credits of the film “The Right Stuff.”
The set, which takes place halfway through both 90-minute patriotic concerts, celebrates the organization’s longstanding relationship with NASA, says the symphony’s Eric Skelly, referring to past collaborations, including stage performances set to NASA imagery.
At the Miller Outdoor Theatre concert (milleroutdoortheatre.com ), retired NASA employee Bill Davidson will be honored on stage. Both performances include a service medley honoring the U.S. armed forces.
The concerts feature the type of patriotic scores Skelly says families have come to expect from the annual events, including the “1812 Overture,” “The Star-Spangled
Banner,” “American Salute,” “America the Beautiful” and “The Liberty Bell” march.
Crowds will also enjoy a range of hits, including “Midnight Train to Georgia,” he says.
At The Woodlands celebration (woodlandscenter.org), kids will be given patriotic beads and head toppers on their way in. They’ll also get materials for an art craft to-go, so they can make their own ribbon wands during the performance. Performers dressed as Uncle Sam, Lady Liberty and Captain America will be on hand to pose for photos. Families can sign up on the spot for the free Mini Maestros club, then have popsicles with the Symphony’s Principal POPS conductor Steven Reineke.
Skelly calls the outdoor performances “more demonstrative” than a concert hall performance. “Everybody is on their feet cheering,” he says. “It’s the perfect way to celebrate the Fourth of July.”
Miller Outdoor Theatre’s event culminates with fireworks and The Woodlands performance ends with a hilltop multicannon salute.
Speaking of The Woodlands, there is also Thursday’s 44th annual South Montgomery County 4th of July Parade .It begins at 9 a.m. at Grogan’s Mill Road and Lake Woodlands Drive. The day’s events conclude with a concert from Adrian Michael at 6 p.m. in Central Park and a fireworks display at The Woodlands Town Center at dusk. To see everything that’s going on, go to 4thofJuly.org. Meanwhile, various parks in The Woodlands will host the Red, Hot & Blue Festival with face painting, strolling entertainers, food vendors, live music, inflatables, kids activities from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Thursday. For more information, go to woodlandsonline.com.
Old-fashioned fun
Before evening fireworks, families can wave their flags at the City of Bellaire Fourth of July
Parade and Festival at Bellaire Town Square and Loftin Park (7008 S. Rice), a free event that is open to all. (bellairetx.gov).
Kids who opt to decorate their bikes should meet at 8:45 a.m. in the Pink’s Pizza parking lot on Bellaire Boulevard to walk or ride in the children’s parade.
The young parade members lead the larger parade, which is made up of decked-out antique cars, a marching band and floats. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. and spectators gather on Bellaire Boulevard and South Rice Avenue to watch.
From there, the group winds towards Bellaire Town Square for a festival with live music, a petting zoo, rock wall, dunking booth, putt-putt golf and carnival games.
“It’s kind of that old timey, small-town feel,” says Cheryl Bright with the city of Bellaire, adding that the event has become a tradition for residents who invite their friends and family for a feeling of Americana and nostalgia.
There’s even a librarian leading a storybook circle, she says.
“It’s very quaint,” Bright laughs. “The only thing we’re missing is a pie-eating contest.”
“It takes you back in time,” she says. “It’s about making memories — that’s what keeps families coming back.”
CityCentre celebration
CityCentre, 800 Town and Country Blvd., is expecting between 10,000 and 15,000 attendees at their Independence Day
Fireworks Spectacular this year (citycentrehouston.com).
People’s Choice, a pop and country cover band, will play beginning at 7 p.m. as families stroll the plaza. The 15-minute fireworks show will be launched from a different point this year to allow more room on the lawn for onlookers.
“A lot of people in this community love to watch at CityCentre because it’s in their backyard,” says Shelby Plant of Midway. “It’s close to home, it’s very family friendly, and grandma and grandpa can enjoy it just as much.”
More options
The 4th of July Celebration at
Baytown’s Bicentennial Park (1001 Market) is so big that it can’t be contained to one day. Taking place Wednesday and Thursday, the annual Fourth of July Celebration will feature such musical acts as the Village People, Joe Diffie, Bag of Donuts, Tracy Byrd and “America’s Got Talent” contestant and Baytown native R.L. Bell. Of course, there’s a parade and fireworks. For details, go to baytown.org. The Kemah Fourth of July
Celebration takes place at 9:30 p.m. Thursday on Kemah Boardwalk, 215 Kipp, in Kemah, with live music and fireworks over the bay. kemahboardwalk.com.
Live music, a fireworks display and a special kids’ zone are some ways the city of Tomball is celebrating the holiday at their July 4th Celebration and Street Festival. Gates open at 5 p.m. and fireworks are planned for 9:20 p.m. The event takes place on Texas 249 north of FM 2920 (tomballtx.gov).
In Pearland, Independence Park’s Celebration of Freedom doubles as the park’s grand reopening. Event highlights include live music, a kids’ zone, food trucks and a fireworks show at sundown. It’s located at 3449 Pearland Parkway. (pearlandtx.gov) Sugar Land’s Red, White &
Boom fireworks show and festival takes place at The Crown Festival Park, 18355 U.S. 59 S., beginning at 4 p.m. Admission is free, but advance online tickets are required (visitsugarlandtx.com).
The Pasadena 4th Fest, 5 p.m. Thursday at the Pasadena Convention Center, 7902 Fairmount Parkway , showcases performers Kevin Fowler and Houston reggae band, Th3rd Coast Roots. Games, food vendors and fireworks will also be featured. Info: pasadenatx.gov/ 658/Pasadena-4th-Fest
In Galveston, the Hotel Galvez & Spa is hosting a free Independence Day concert featuring the Galveston Community Band and a fireworks show. It takes place at 8:45 p.m. Hotel Galvez is located at 2024 Seawall Blvd. Meanwhile, the 180th City of Galveston Celebration Independence Day — including a parade with floats, decorated military vehicles and performers — starts at 7 p.m. with a procession on Seawall Boulevard starting at 59th Street and ending at 25th Street. After the parade, the island will host a 20-minute fireworks show over the Gulf of Mexico at 9:15 p.m. near 37th Street and Seawall Boulevard. Info: galveston.com
For even more Fourth of July activities, see Family Fun on page 19.