Print
E-mail
Comment
Texas-size July 4 festival
  
|
By Sharon Spoonemore
Houston is putting Ike and an ailing economy on the back burner and is set to pull off a “don’t miss” Texas-size celebration of America’s birthday on Saturday, July 4.
Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks presented by Shell will feature the largest land-based fireworks show in the nation, Texas-style entertainment, and a festival for all ages. Admission is FREE.
The event will salute Houston’s military heroes and will honor the 40th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo XI Lunar Landing. A call from the International Space Station will be broadcast as Dr. Michael Barratt and the Expedition 19 crew greets visitors at the Houston Festival and joins the entire nation in the United States’ birthday celebration. A Washington native, Dr. Barratt has been with NASA since 1991 and served as lead crew surgeon for the first expedition crew to ISS from July, 1998, until selected as an astronaut candidate.
NASA will have several interactive exhibits including the “Driven to Explore” trailer that will include the aspects of various missions including the shuttle, space station and Constellation. An Apollo XVII lunar sample will also be featured — one of only two that can be touched. Inflatable space crafts including a large astronaut will be on the scene as well.
“The 40th anniversary of the Apollo XI Lunar Landing coming up on July 20 is especially meaningful to Houstonians since the first word spoken on the moon was ‘Houston’,” said Linda Matthews-Schmidt, NASA special events spokesperson. “This is a great place to celebrate this anniversary that brings hope for future space exploration. It’s been a vital part of Houston’s history.”
Native Texan Clay Walker will ignite the stage at 8 p.m. with a “down home” concert. Around 9:30 the stage will go dark for the fireworks show presented by Shell Oil and produced by world-renowned fireworks artists from Pyro Spectaculars North by Sousza.
“I want to invite our fellow Texans to Houston’s All-American Fourth of July celebration” said Mayor Bill White. “Thanks to our anchor sponsors, the city is able to bring in an unbeatable headliner and a host of other entertainment. For the fourth year in a row, Shell is on board to underwrite a spectacular fireworks show, making Houston the number one Fourth of July destination in the country.”
The fun starts at 4 p.m. at Eleanor Tinsley Park downtown Houston. Three stages will keep toes tapping with music ranging from country western and rock ’n’ roll to Latin, pop and oldies. Festival-goers can choose from a variety of activities throughout the site. Liberty Park has doubled in size from last year and will showcase displays of military artifacts and vehicles including representation from all five military branches and more. The branches and the Houston Police Department will also offer recruiting opportunities on site. Guests will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Shell-sponsored NASCAR, Kevin Harvick’s car and the Tire Change Challenge.
Children will stay entertained with free rides, games, face painting, jugglers and more in the Fiesta All American Kids Zone. Event patrons visiting the Gexa Energy booths can take advantage of special offers on 100 percent wind-powered, 100 percent pollution-free electricity plans, learn more about renewable energy solutions, and discover what they can do to pay less for electricity.
Kick back and relax at the Budweiser Beer Garden, where you’ll find a selection of Craft and Import Beers with a prime view of the fourth annual Bud Light Texas Volleyball Championship. The preliminary men’s and women’s semi-pro statewide championship tournaments are being held in Houston, Galveston, San Antonio and Dallas. Winners of each prelim will vie for the “Texas Title” at Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks Presented by Shell.
“It’s time for Houston to celebrate,” said Susan Christian, Deputy Director of Special Events for the Mayor’s office. “In spite of all that the Houston area has faced, it’s time to give thanks for freedom that offers hope to help us move on. We’re especially grateful for the help of our corporate heroes who have stepped up to the plate to underwrite this amazing event. We salute Shell Oil, Budweiser/Silver Eagle Distributors, Gexa Energy, KBR and Fiesta who earned our appreciation for believing this event is important enough to keep the vision alive — even in tough times.”
Houston’s celebration will be joined by others as the event is simulcast on KTRK-TV (ABC), Ch.13 from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, and will be syndicated statewide. Clear Channel radio station, Classic Rock 93.7, The Arrow/KKRW-FM will also simulcast the music medley specially choreographed for the fireworks spectacular.
Visit www.freedomovertexas.org for more information on this Texas-size July 4 festival.
Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks presented by Shell will feature the largest land-based fireworks show in the nation, Texas-style entertainment, and a festival for all ages. Admission is FREE.
The event will salute Houston’s military heroes and will honor the 40th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo XI Lunar Landing. A call from the International Space Station will be broadcast as Dr. Michael Barratt and the Expedition 19 crew greets visitors at the Houston Festival and joins the entire nation in the United States’ birthday celebration. A Washington native, Dr. Barratt has been with NASA since 1991 and served as lead crew surgeon for the first expedition crew to ISS from July, 1998, until selected as an astronaut candidate.
NASA will have several interactive exhibits including the “Driven to Explore” trailer that will include the aspects of various missions including the shuttle, space station and Constellation. An Apollo XVII lunar sample will also be featured — one of only two that can be touched. Inflatable space crafts including a large astronaut will be on the scene as well.
“The 40th anniversary of the Apollo XI Lunar Landing coming up on July 20 is especially meaningful to Houstonians since the first word spoken on the moon was ‘Houston’,” said Linda Matthews-Schmidt, NASA special events spokesperson. “This is a great place to celebrate this anniversary that brings hope for future space exploration. It’s been a vital part of Houston’s history.”
Native Texan Clay Walker will ignite the stage at 8 p.m. with a “down home” concert. Around 9:30 the stage will go dark for the fireworks show presented by Shell Oil and produced by world-renowned fireworks artists from Pyro Spectaculars North by Sousza.
“I want to invite our fellow Texans to Houston’s All-American Fourth of July celebration” said Mayor Bill White. “Thanks to our anchor sponsors, the city is able to bring in an unbeatable headliner and a host of other entertainment. For the fourth year in a row, Shell is on board to underwrite a spectacular fireworks show, making Houston the number one Fourth of July destination in the country.”
The fun starts at 4 p.m. at Eleanor Tinsley Park downtown Houston. Three stages will keep toes tapping with music ranging from country western and rock ’n’ roll to Latin, pop and oldies. Festival-goers can choose from a variety of activities throughout the site. Liberty Park has doubled in size from last year and will showcase displays of military artifacts and vehicles including representation from all five military branches and more. The branches and the Houston Police Department will also offer recruiting opportunities on site. Guests will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Shell-sponsored NASCAR, Kevin Harvick’s car and the Tire Change Challenge.
Children will stay entertained with free rides, games, face painting, jugglers and more in the Fiesta All American Kids Zone. Event patrons visiting the Gexa Energy booths can take advantage of special offers on 100 percent wind-powered, 100 percent pollution-free electricity plans, learn more about renewable energy solutions, and discover what they can do to pay less for electricity.
Kick back and relax at the Budweiser Beer Garden, where you’ll find a selection of Craft and Import Beers with a prime view of the fourth annual Bud Light Texas Volleyball Championship. The preliminary men’s and women’s semi-pro statewide championship tournaments are being held in Houston, Galveston, San Antonio and Dallas. Winners of each prelim will vie for the “Texas Title” at Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks Presented by Shell.
“It’s time for Houston to celebrate,” said Susan Christian, Deputy Director of Special Events for the Mayor’s office. “In spite of all that the Houston area has faced, it’s time to give thanks for freedom that offers hope to help us move on. We’re especially grateful for the help of our corporate heroes who have stepped up to the plate to underwrite this amazing event. We salute Shell Oil, Budweiser/Silver Eagle Distributors, Gexa Energy, KBR and Fiesta who earned our appreciation for believing this event is important enough to keep the vision alive — even in tough times.”
Houston’s celebration will be joined by others as the event is simulcast on KTRK-TV (ABC), Ch.13 from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, and will be syndicated statewide. Clear Channel radio station, Classic Rock 93.7, The Arrow/KKRW-FM will also simulcast the music medley specially choreographed for the fireworks spectacular.
Visit www.freedomovertexas.org for more information on this Texas-size July 4 festival.
Submit a Comment
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.
|
Not yet a registered member?
Click here to become one. Comments to stories and articles on the Web site are not edited or pre-approved before appearing online. Readers posting comments are solely responsible for those comments. Comments must be germane to the story to which they apply. Online comments that are libelous, profane or personally attack another site participant can be reported as abuse using the link provided on each comment. Comments reported as abusive will be reviewed and may be removed from view, as will off-topic comments. BE CIVIL. Individuals continually posting abusive comments to the site may have their registrations revoked. |
