HOUSTON
During the annual Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks presented by Shell celebration, Houstonians can enjoy live concerts, fireworks, and other goodies on July 4 at Eleanor Tinsley Park.
The fun is slated to begin at 4pm, and admission is free with the donation of one canned item per person, which benefits the Houston Food Bank. Otherwise, tickets for anyone older than the age of two cost $8.
The event, which is sponsored by Shell, will include a variety of live music, including pop, country, Zydeco, Latino, jazz, adult contemporary, classic rock, and rhythm & blues.
Some of the artists scheduled to perform include:
Pat Green: 8:20-9:30pm on the Freedom Stage
Little Big Town: 7:10-8:15pm Freedom Stage
Cowboy Mouth: 5:45-6:45pm Freedom Stage and again at 7:45-9:15pm on the Patriot Stage
Other attractions at the celebration include The Freedom Market, The Bud Zone featuring the Texas Volleyball Championship, and The All-American Kid's Zone featuring free rides and attractions for the kids.
And perhaps most importantly, Houstonians can watch the fireworks show, which is choreographed with music.
The event is scheduled to wrap up at 10pm.
Anyone planning to attend the show is urged to park at Entrance 2 of Theater District Parking, underneath Tranquillity Park, along Rusk, between Bagby and Smith.
For those who can't attend, ABC13 will begin broadcasting at 7pm the concerts and fireworks show.
Several cities surrounding the Houston area also have their own celebrations planned. Below is a list compiled by Houston Community Newspapers for events some of the Houston-area cities and communities are preparing.
BELLAIRE
The city is hosting a Fourth of July Parade & Festival. Children's parade starts from Community National Bank parking lot at 9:30am, joining regular parade that launches minutes earlier from Bellaire Triangle Center, Mapleridge and Bissonnet. Festival starts immediately after parade in Bellaire Town Square, 7800 S. Rice Ave. Rides, carnival style games and food, live music and other entertainment. Adjacent Family Aquatics Center opens after the parade.
CLEAR LAKE CITY
The Clear Lake City Community Association will hold its first ever Fourth of July Bike Parade on July 4.
Bikers and walkers will meet at the drill site parking lot on Pebbleshire at 1:45pm in the Meadowgreen subdivision. The parade will begin at 2pm and will proceed down Pebbleshire to Woodcombe, then to Manorhill turning right, then turning right again onto Kelbrook, ending at Krueger Park by the pool. Admission to the pool is $5 for non-tagholders.
Residents are invited to walk, bike, or line the parade course. U.S. flags will be handed out at the drill site parking lot. E-mail Alice Purcell apurcell@clcca.org to sign up. Specify how many will participate and the family name.
CLEAR LAKE SHORES
Civic Club will lead the celebrating in that city's Jarboe Bayou Park on Saturday, July 3. A golf cart parade will get activities under way at 10am, followed by a picnic at 11am. Also at 11, the civic club will hold its fundraiser from until 2pm in the park pavilion.
CLEVELAND
Liberty Lakes Concert
Liberty Lakes Resort will also be hosting a free concert on July 4 from 5pm to 9pm featuring the Buck Yeager Band. For more info, contact Liberty Lakes Resort 201 Cypress Lakes Circle • Cleveland, TX 77327 Office: 281.592.0536 • Fax: 281.592.0580 Email: info@libertylakesresort.com
Cleveland Senior Citizens July 4 Celebration
Between 11am and 2pm on July 4, there's a community luncheon at the Cleveland Senior Citizens Center, 315 Peach St. Cost: $7.50 includes fried chicken strips and side dishes. Takeout is available; call 281-592-1174 for more information. From 1:30 to 3pm, "God and Country" concert featuring Bill and Renee Morris at Cleveland Civic Center, 210 Peach St. Grand finale: Birthday celebration for the city and its oldest residents. Call 281-592-2395 for more information.
To transport people to and from events the city has organized a shuttle service. Shuttle stops will be visible on July 3 and July 4 at several locations including the Cleveland Junior High, 2000 East Houston Street Cleveland, TX 77327-4756, and Cleveland High School parking lots.
CONROE
Lifestyle Christian School Parade
The Depot at Lifestyle Christian School will have a Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 2, at 4pm. Call Cindy Walker at 936-756-3450 for more information. Fireworks, Food and Fun from C.M. Joslin American Legion Post and Auxiliary #618, fireworks at dusk.
The C.M. Joslin American Legion Post and Auxiliary #618, located at 13054 FM 1097 E. in Willis, will have fireworks at dusk (around 8:30-9pm) on July 2. Hot dogs and watermelon will be available for a donation to cancer research. Call 936-856-5224 for more information.
Bentwater Fireworks, Dusk
The community of Bentwater on Lake Conroe hosts a fireworks show at dusk July 4 at the Bentwater Country Club. Bentwater is located off FM 1097 on the north end of the lake. All of the events are offered to Bentwater residents only; however, the fireworks show can be viewed from the lake. Call 936-449-5700 for more information.
EL LAGO
Residents of El Lago will begin their Independence Day Celebration at 5pm July 4 with a non-motorized parade around McNair Park with lots of kids participating.
When the parade ends, there'll be hot dogs with all the fixin's and the usual games for the kids, after which the Aquanauts will start performing their synchronized ballet in the pool.
FRIENDSWOOD
The Fourth of July Steering Committee and the City of Friendswood would like to invite all to participate in the 115th annual Friendswood Fourth of July Celebration on Sunday, July 4th and Monday, July 5th. The two-day celebration is packed full of entertainment, food and fun for the entire family. The theme for this year's celebration is "Red, White and Blue Go Green, Keep Friendswood Beautiful."
The two-day long celebration will kick off Sunday night with the evening program, which begins at 7pm, at Friendswood's Centennial Park. This year's program should be one of the best family fun events for 2010. Rick Trevino will headline the evening entertainment along with a second band, Hamilton Loomis. A fantastic fireworks extravaganza will light up the sky beginning at approximately 9:20pm. The fireworks will be choreographed to patriotic music and is guaranteed to be one of the best fireworks displays in the Houston area.
http://www.friendswood.com/COF/parksrec/July+4th+Celebration/default.htm
KEMAH
Kemah will kick off its two-day Independence Day Celebration with two parades -- the Fourth of July Parade at 10am Saturday, July 3, and the Children's Parade starting at 9:30am. The parade lineup is behind the Kemah Visitor Center with the parade route travelling along the Kemah Lighthouse District. The theme for the parade this year is "Hats off to Heroes."
"Floats, cars, trucks, golf carts and bicycles will be decorated in patriotic themes with beads, candy and prizes to be tossed to onlookers," Domino Taylor says, adding that parade awards will be presented by Mayor Matt Wiggins at the 'After Parade Party' at T-Bone Tom's at 707 Highway 146, where there'll be prizes, live music and entertainment for the whole family.
Additional activities start at noon July 3 with the American Spirit Boat Parade traveling along the Kemah Boardwalk. Coast Guard boats, commercial and pleasure boats will be decorated to add to the patriotic festivities. "Kemah's fireworks extravaganza starts at 9:30pm Sunday, July 4, with folks along the Kemah Boardwalk and surrounding areas able to see the fantastic light show over Galveston Bay," Taylor said. For more information on these activities, lodging needs or to sign up to be in the parade, contact the Kemah Visitor Center at 281-334-3181 or log on to www.Kemah-Tx.gov or e-mail the website, visitkemah@kemah-tx.com.
LEAGUE CITY
League City will host its annual July 4 celebration on Saturday, July 3, from 11:30am to 4pm in League Park, with Mayor Toni Randall. She'll join city councilors, Parks Board and Parks Recreation staff members, who'll be serving refreshments in appreciation of the citizens of League City. There will be live music and other live entertainment. All concessions (including hot dogs, nachos, soft drinks, popcorn, snow cones and cotton candy) will be free. For additional information, call Maggie at 281-554-1184, or e-mail her at maggie.jackson@leaguecity.com.
MAGNOLIA
Parade
Parade from Magnolia Elementary to Unity Park Starts at 1pm. Entertainment and festivities start at 2pm and end at 8pm. and include: Cassidy Hurst, Illumin8 Dance Hip Hop dance team, Phillip Griffin Band, Illumin8 Hip Hop Dance Team, Jessica Walker Band, DB 5 Band, Charlie Lucas Band, Followed by dedication of Unity Park and patriotic ceremony from 8-9pm.
Spirit of Magnolia Fourth of July Celebration
The second annual Spirit of Magnolia Fourth of July Celebration at Unity Park, sponsored by the Magnolia Historical Society on July 4, will kick-off this year with a parade led by Parade Marshal Mayor Todd Kana. The mayor will be in a U.S. Army Reserve tactical fire fighting truck, provide by the 463rd Engineer Detachment Firefighters stationed in Houston.
The patriotic procession that will gather in the parking lot of Magnolia Junior High School before the opening of Spirit of Magnolia Fourth of July, at 1pm, in Unity Park just off Nichols Sawmill Road.
The Spirit of Magnolia Fourth of July Bike Contest and Parade is back. Kids ages 2 to 15 are invite to roll out their best designs for this friendly competition. Participating cyclists may join in the Fourth parade and the contest, which includes its own in-park parade. However, due to the number of participants last year pre-registration is recommended. This year's bike contest will be judged by local celebrities.
Along with the bike contest, organizers of the Magnolia Fourth celebration are hosting the second annual Fun Dog Show. Well-behaved pets accompanied by their owner(s) will be eligible for this event. Best small, best medium, best toy, best large, and best over-all dog, will be recognized along with the best dressed dog.
Registration for both contests is available through L.J. Skibbe, chair of the Bike Contest and Parade, and Fun Dog Show. There is no fee for either contest. However, a bag of dog food any size to benefit Abandoned Animal Rescue is requested in lieu of a registration fee for the Fun Dog Show. Multiple places will be awarded in each contest. To register, contact Skibbe at, ljskibbe@earthlink.net.
Admission to The Spirit of Magnolia Fourth of July is free and there is no charge for the musical entertainment with headliner, the Charlie Lucas Band. Unity Park is located just off Nichols Sawmill Road across from Magnolia Junior High School. Off-site parking for the event is encouraged and there will be a free shuttle service. A fireworks display expected to top last year's will begin at dusk.
E-mail to Katrina Welch at kwelch@cityofmagnolia.com for more information.
Magnolia Fourth hamburger grill-off
Get ready for the Spirit of Magnolia Fourth of July Celebration at Unity Park by preparing your best hamburger recipe. Grillers are invited to join in the first annual All-American Hamburger Grill-Off, beginning at 5pm on Sunday, July 4, in the park. Entry fee is $10 and winner takes all. Participants are required to bring their own grill. Only hamburgers will be entered in the contest, no sides. Local officials will serve as judges for the new tradition. Winners will be announced 6:30pm before the ceremonies begin preceding the biggest fireworks show for miles, scheduled to begin at dusk.
Bring the whole family to enjoy the entire day at Unity Park from 2pm until dark, offering food, drinks, music, water games, a new children's water pad, a pro skating exhibition and sky diver show. There is no admission fee. And activities and music, including a Charlie Lucas Band concert, are free. Off-site parking at Magnolia West High School with free shuttle service is encouraged and there will be drawings throughout the day for six flat-screen televisions for those who have shuttle tickets. Cooling tents will be open in the park along with the new 75,000-square foot pavilion. Come out and join the fun.
MEMORIAL VILLAGES
Eighteenth annual Villages Independence Festival's parade launches at 9am from Memorial Church of Christ down Gaylord to North Piney Point and ending at Memorial Drive Baptist Church. Festival features games, inflatables, food & beverages. Annually attracts about 5,000.
NASSAU BAY
Nassau Bay is planning both a parade and fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July and some good old-fashioned family fun in the park in between. Registration for walkers, bikers and floats begins July 4 at 4:15pm. and continues until 4:55pm in the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church south parking lot with Mayor Don Matter and City Council members judging the entries. Then, the parade begins at 5pm and proceeds south on Upper Bay, right onto San Sebastian, left onto Point Lookout, left onto Kingstree, right onto Martinique, and into Lake Nassau Park with more festivities getting under way at 5:45 when registration begins at the park pavilion for the city's apple pie contest. Judging of apple pies will take place from 6: 15 to 6:45pm, followed by announcement of the parade and apple pie contest winners.
Then, after a break, fireworks will begin filling Nassau Bay skies at 9pm.
Some festivities will start July 3, including the 4th annual Freedom Celebration at noon at the Nassau Bay Yacht Club with Congressman Pete Olson as guest speaker.
Produced by We Care Events under the leadership of long-time Clear Lake resident Jim Stoa, the event will conclude with the annual Patriotic Boat Parade honoring members of the newly formed Lone Star Veterans Association, which is open to those who have served in the Armed Forces since 9/11/01.
Boaters, who can host a veteran in the parade, are invited to register on line at wecareevents.com Awards will be presented for the best decorated boats.
OAK RIDGE NORTH
The annual Fourth of July Parade in Oak Ridge North begins at 6:30pm on July 3 and departs from the corner of Susan and Patsy Lane. The following activities will begin at Marilyn Edgar Park once the parade has ended. Events include a concession stand and goodies for sale by the Oak Ridge Otters Swim Team and the Oak Ridge North Police Department will have a family friendly movie in the park. Since parking is limited at the park, residents are encouraged to jump aboard the hayride which will run continuously after the parade throughout the city and until everyone is delivered after the movie.
For more information, contact Stephanie Gunter at oakridgeparade@sbcglobal.net or at 281-292-9982.
PEARLAND
Sunday, July 4 -- Celebration of Freedom, Pearland. Free Concert starts at 7pm, Fireworks start at Dusk. Pearland High School Football Stadium, 3775 South Main Street. Parking on-site and Shuttles available. Carnival open all weekend long. Join us in celebrating our country's birthday! A military salute will begin the evening's entertainment followed by the winner of our Let Freedom Sing talent search singing the National Anthem. Then, sit back and listen to one of Texas' newest music stars – Zona Jones! At sundown enjoy a spectacular fireworks display from your seat inside the stadium. Food for purchase, face painters and other activities will be on-hand for your enjoyment. Tickets can be purchased for the carnival rides onsite. Parking is available onsite and at Bailey Road Campus with shuttles available for free. For more information call 281-652-1673 or log onto www.pearlandparks.com.
ROMAN FOREST
Roman Forest Fireworks & Celebration will kick off with a parade, Sunday, July 4. Line up for the parade starts at 1:30pm in front of Roman Forest City Hall and anyone can participate. There will be a moonwalk, dunking booth, free games, New Horizon's Duck Race, craft and food vendor booths. Racin Country band will begin playing at 4 p.m. Come out for a fun filled day and enjoy the spectacular fireworks show beginning at dark. For more information contact Jerry Reasner at 281-543-0574.
SEABROOK
Seabrook's Independence Day Parade begins at 9:45am July 3 at Meador Park. Kids are invited to come dressed in red, white and blue or in Scouting or baseball uniforms. The parade will follow the trail around Meador Park and afterwards there will be face painting, a moon walk, a hay ride and water balloons.
Mayor Gary Renola will cook hot dogs for everyone and there will be drawings for prizes. Also, everyone will receive a pool pass good for that day only.
SHEPHERD
Saturday, July 3 at 7 p.m. at Shepherd Community Center, 10251Hwy 150 West next to the ballpark. Fireworks, food, vendors horseshoe throwing and watermelon eating contests, as well musical performances by Bob Janosec and Al Casey and the BB's. Participants are invited to bring their lawn chairs and dancing shoes. For more info or to participate, call Shepherd Chamber of Commerce at 936-628-3890 and leave your name and number.
TOMBALL
Tomball celebrates the Fourth of July in a big way, with a day of family fun at the Target parking lot at 14302 FM 2920 Rd. Patrons can stay in the parking lot or go anywhere around town to watch the fireworks show put on by the Tomball Fire Department, which begins at dark. Citizens often line the streets and set up grills near the fire station at 1200 Rudel to get the best view of the show, which can be seen for miles around.
WALDEN
City of Walden Parade
The Walden Fourth of July Parade is set for July 3 at 9:30am. The parade starts at the Walden Racquet and Fitness Center and ends around 10:30am.
They especially invite all veterans and active duty military personnel to be a part of this parade. If you wish to participate, arrive at the Walden Racquet and Fitness Center at 8:30 am to line up and be judged for awards. Vehicle, boat and float entries must pre-register. All veterans and active duty military personnel who are planning on participating in the parade, please e-mail waldenpoa@yahoo.com or call Kelly Nispel at 713-416-5431.
Walden fireworks, dusk
The community of Walden on Lake Conroe will feature a fireworks display starting at dusk July 4. Call the Walden POA at 936-582-1622 for any additional information.
WEBSTER
Webster is inviting its residents to celebrate at Texas Avenue Park, across from the Webster Post Office, starting at 5pm. That's where Webster residents can take part in a veteran's ceremony and enjoy bingo, entertainers, inflatables, concessions and games, plus free watermelons and snow cones.
Then at 9:15pm, Webster Fire Chief Patrick Shipp and Fire Marshal Ron Gaines will launch more than 1,600 shells that include a variety of aerials, multi-colored stars, fancy and color-changing shells, pattern shells, crackling shells and titanium salutes for a 45-minute fireworks show.
WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE
Independence Day Parade & Pool Party's family parade starts at 10am from in front of West University Elementary School, 3756 University Blvd., winds south on Academy, west on Byron and ends at Colonial Park. Free pool party at rebuilt Colonial Pool, with games and contests, and fundraising barbecue by West U Rotary Club.
THE WOODLANDS
Star Spangled-Salute
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion salutes America at the annual Star-Spangled Salute July 3 at 8pm. Wave your flag to the tune of patriotic compositions performed by the Houston Symphony and The Texas Tenors. This free concert is generously sponsored by The Woodlands Development Company. Picnics are welcome (no beverages), lawn chairs are available for free, and tickets are not required. Gates open at 6:30pm.
At Star-Spangled Salute, the world-renowned Houston Symphony performs a variety of classic American numbers from "Deep in the Heart of Texas" to the "1812 Overture." Other selections include "Shenandoah," "Grand Canyon Suite," "Service Medley," "My Way," "The Liberty Bell," "Nessun Dorma," "Bandstand Boogie," and Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A."
There are a variety of pre-concert events. Call 281-363-3300 or visit www.woodlandscenter.org for more information.
Free Concert at Northshore Park
Enjoy an evening of good ol' country music with Troy Hess & Texas Heartbreakers July 4. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner! Hang around for one of the best locations to view fireworks. The concert is from 7 to 9pm. Northshore Park is in The Woodlands.
Red, Hot & Blue Festival
The 13th Annual Red, Hot and Blue Festival takes place in The Woodlands Town Center in Town Green Park and Waterway Square July 4. This year's festival, which starts at 6pm, features live music on two stages, strolling entertainers, the hot dog and watermelon eating contests and much more! The evening will close with the 23-minute fireworks spectacular at dusk, best viewing at Waterway Square. For more information about this year's festival including a list of activities and a performance schedule, please visit www.RedHotBlue.org or call The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau at 281-363-2447.
South Montgomery County Parade
The South Montgomery County Fourth of July Parade takes place on July 3 this year at 9 a.m. in Market Street in The Woodlands. This year's theme is "Only in America." This is one of the largest Fourth of July parades in the Greater Houston area. Bands, floats and more are scheduled.
Ramon Torres and Nick Wolda will serve as announcers at the parade and provide a brief description of each float as it passes the judging stand, located just above the North Passage in Market Street. Visit www.4thofjuly.org for more information.
Great Red, White and Blue Duck Race
Montgomery County Emergency Assistance is hoping to make the Great Red, White and Blue Duck Race a splash on July 4. The event is at the Rob Fleming Aquatic Center, in The Woodlands, where thousands of rubber ducks will race to raise money for MCEA. The race starts at 1 p.m.
Ducks can be purchased for $5 apiece or six ducks for $25. The goal is to raise $8,000, which is $3,000 more than what was raised in 2009, Theaker said. To learn more, visit duckrace.com/TheWoodlands or call 936-539-9211, ext. 227.
Splash Day at The Woodlands community pools
Get cooled off at one of the 13 community pools with "Splash Day." This is a chance for families to enjoy the hot mid-summer day and have fun with the community's lifeguards. The lifeguards at each pool select special themes and provide free activities and refreshments while supplies last. Pools will be FREE to all residents with activities occurring between noon and 4pm on July 4.
