Enjoy fireworks this Fourth

Independence Day is this Saturday and it’s time to start planning because you have so many fun and free events to choose from. As we approach the fourth I will be highlighting some of the most popular, free Fourth of July events. Let me start with the largest Houston Fourth of July event that always brings in a bang with the largest land-based fireworks show in the nation, The Freedom over Texas at Eleanor Tinsley Park www.houstontx.gov/july4/index.html.
Freedom over Texas always offers crowds star-spangled fun and this year is no exception. The 2009 theme of “Houston Heroes” kicks off at 4pm. All branches of the military will be honored as well as the NASA Astronauts who are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Apollo XI Lunar landing. Everyone can see military artifacts and vehicles. The Fiesta All American Kids Zone will be back with games and rides and of course their will be a variety of food and drinks. Throughout the event there will be 3 stages that will play all kinds of music so that everyone will hear something they want to sing and dance too. But at 8pm award winning country singer Clay Walker will take the stage. The event is sure to please everyone in your family.
Another popular event is the Houston Symphony Star-Spangled Salute at Miller Outdoor Theater www.houstonsymphony.org/. Come and enjoy some of Houston’s talented musicians as they perform patriotic scores. And again, this event is free to the public.
The city of Houston is fortunate to have many fun venues that can bring fun to all. Kemah Boardwalk is having a large fireworks show over Galveston Bay. The fireworks show is free and open to the public but if it is in your families budget you can come out for great food and entertainment on the Boardwalk before the show at 9:30pm www.kemahboardwalk.com/flash_content/flash_content.html. Sam Houston Race Park is also hosting a family fun Fourth of July event. There will be concerts, special dining packages and of course racing! Visit their site for more information www.shrp.com/.
And these are just a few of the major Fourth of July events that will be going on around town. If these sound too crowded for you don’t worry. Many communities are having their own Fourth of July events closer to home. Katy, Kingwood, Sugarland and more are all celebrating Independence Day with a fun, budget friendly events. And it’s these more local events that I’m examining next. In the meantime it is time to start planning how you will celebrate this year’s Fourth of July. Do you want a large celebration with a bang or something a little more low key. Just some food for thought as you plan your fun day but still keeping to your budget.