Updated: Houston Area 4th of July Fireworks Events

HOUSTON—The 4th of July means fireworks across the U.S. and Houston is no exception.

There are dozens of celebrations in our area, but the largest is the Freedom over Texas festival this weekend. It is presented by Shell.

The free event is at Eleanor Tinsley Park. This year, organizers are honoring Houston’s military heroes and the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. Country singer, Texas native Clay Walker will be the main act. He will take the stage at 8 p.m. Right after that at 9:30, fireworks will light the sky.

If you’re thinking about heading there you should know about some road that will be closed.

On Thursday, a couple of lanes along Allen Parkway were closed. They include roads between Taft Street and downtown.

Also, starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Allen Parkway will be completely closed to traffic.

If you’re in The Woodlands, there are several events where you can celebrate.

First there is the Star-Spangled Salute which is being held Friday night at the Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavilion.

You’ll hear patriotic music presented by the Houston Symphony.

Friday at 9 a.m. you can see the South Montgomery Parade which runs through The Woodlands Town Center and Market Street.

Finally, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. you can head to the Red, Hot and Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza at Town Green Park and Waterway Square.

There’s also a lot to celebrate in Fort Bend County Saturday, July 4 th.

In Sugar Land, the festivities include The Red White and Blue Fest at Oyster Creek Park. Those events begin Saturday and run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The city of Stafford and the Fort Bend Symphony will celebrate by treating the public to a free patriotic concert.

Freedom Rings 2009 will be held at the Stafford Centre and starts at 5 p.m.

In Missouri City, the public is being treated to a July 4 celebration at Buffalo Run Park.

The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. and the fireworks blare into the night sky at 9.

Chevy Freedom Over Texas Fireworks
Location: Eleanor Tinsley Park
website: www.chevysfreedomovertexas.com
This is by far the largest celebration in the city of Houston, and the fireworks display is one of the biggest in the state. Montgomery Gentry will headline. The festival starts at 4 p.m. with performances by local acts. If you don't feel like braving the crowds, you don't have to miss our on the fun; just tune in to ABC13 from the solitude of your couch.

The Houston Symphony 4th of July Celebration
Location: Miller Outdoor Theatre, Herman Park
Led by principal pops conductor Michael Krajewski. Enjoy an All-American salute to commemorate Independence Day, and end the evening with fireworks presented by the Miller Theatre Advisory Board.

Sam Houston Race Park
website: www.shrp.com
The park celebrates Independence Day with special family-friendly activities and a spectacular fireworks display.

Firecracker Hotbox
Location: Gulf Greyhound Park
website: www.gulfgreyhound.com
Come see some of the nation's hottest greyhounds compete.

Kemah Boardwalk
website: www.kemahboardwalk.com
The 4th of July fireworks launch at 9:30 p.m.

SplashTown Fireworks Spectacular
website: www.splashtownpark.com
The park sends up the explosives after dusk.

LCS to hold open house on new facility on June 25th

The foyer of one of the buildings at the new LSCS facility is decorated.

Lone Star College System officials are inviting the community to an open house on June 25 at its new facility on State Highway 249 at Louetta Road.

The site, once home to Hewlett Packard's north campus and the former Compaq Computer headquarters, has been a mystery to most northwest Houston residents - a massive, beautiful complex with mirrored buildings, that could be seen tucked away neatly on SH 249 behind security gates at every entrance.

But now, since the purchase by Lone Star College System, college officials want to open the facility to the public by having perhaps a first-ever community open house.

The open-house event is set for Thursday, June 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. and all residents are invited to come by and visit the facility.

"This will be a family type event," said Ray Laughter, vice chancellor for external affairs. Hot dogs and other light refreshments will be served at the campus as part of the open-house celebration.

The open house will include tours of the facility and information booths will be featured about various aspects of the college system, like Lone Star Corporate College and its workforce programs, along with the Lone Star College-University Center.

"There may be those who even live nearby this facility who have never had the opportunity to see what it looks like past those security gates," Laughter said. "The tours on June 25 by our staff members will actually guide you through the buildings for a look."

The facility changed hands on May 7 when LSCS announced that it had purchased the core of the Hewlett Packard north campus on SH 249 at Louetta Road - 45 acres for a purchase price of $42.15 million.


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Cy-Fair ISD considers getting rid of homestead exemption

Many homeowners are not happy about that option, but Cy-Fair's school superintendent says getting rid of that discount is the best thing to do in order to deal with their budget shortfall of $28.8 million.

"I think it’s bad. Everybody's hurting right now, and no one wants to pay more taxes," said homeowner Laverne Barrow.

But the $28.8 million shortfall is only for this year. The Cy-Fair School District estimates the deficit will rise to over $100 million by 2013.

"The school district has grown a lot, but I think they anticipated a bigger tax base. Now we've had the economic downturn, and they haven't had the houses built," said homeowner Karen Mugavero.

On Tuesday night, over 150 people attended a meeting to hear what the school board proposed. They also had the chance to have their say.

“They're spending more than they have, which you can't do. This is a recession. You need to stay within your budget and spend within your budget,” said one homeowner at the meeting.

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