Fourth of July celebration going virtual
This year’s Freedom Over Texas event will look and feel different.
The annual July Fourth celebration is foregoing the festival format, normally held on Buffalo Bayou in Eleanor Tinsley and Sam Houston parks, for a virtual parade of stars. It will air from 7-10 p.m. on KTRK Ch. 13.
The Houston Symphony will be joined for live performances by rappers Bun B and Trae Tha Truth, the award-winning Mariachi Imperial De America and sibling norteño trio Los Luzeros De Rioverde. Socially distanced, of course.
Pat Green, Lyle Lovett and La Mafia will perform from their own, at-home stages. There will also be “throwback tributes” featuring former Freedom Over Texas headliners Josh Turner and Hunter Hayes. More performers are expected to be announced.
In a reflection of the current climate, the program will include tributes to first responders and social justice. And, of course, it will end with a fireworks finale over downtown Houston.
Organizers are encouraging people to watch the fireworks on TV, from their backyards, parking lots or other safe spaces.
“We are not standing up infrastructure to support a crowd of people — no hydration stations, porta cans, etc.,” says Susan Criner of Gulf Coast Entertainment. “Should people decide to come down to the park to view in person the 15-minute fireworks show, they need to realize that we will have fencing defining the fireworks fallout zone that they may not enter.”
Criner says it was apparent they would have to rethink the Freedom Over Texas format after RodeoHouston canceled its remaining performances in March amid coronavirus fears.
Viewers will be able to “text to give” to benefit the Houston Food Bank and to “help close the digital divide” and put computers into the hands of kids who don’t have them at home.
Shell Oil Co. is on board as the new title sponsor, and Reliant is this year’s new fireworks sponsor.