SPECIAL EVENTS

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department presents Fireworks-on-the-Brazos, a FREE Fireworks Extravaganza Choreographed to Patriotic Music! Saturday July 4 at the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. FREE Admission.

Celebrate our nation's independence where Texas declared her independence - at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. The "Birthplace of Texas" has a full day of fun activities planned for this Fourth of July, capped off by a tremendous fireworks display.

The Site will be open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Bring along a picnic lunch or enjoy a variety foods and beverages from our festival food vendors. Cool off with free Blue Bell ice cream treats and Coca-Cola drinks, including their new product "Fuse." Enjoy a free special concert by recording artist Tena Rae Helm and her Nashville Band.

Children's activities include the Kid Zone, complete with moonwalk, rock wall and other games. The Star of Texas Dulcimers will perform at the Star of the Republic Museum, while the Navasota Theater Alliance will also have performances during the day at the Tom and Jane Bullock amphitheater.

After dark is the highlight of the evening, Fireworks-on-the-Brazos presented by H-E-B. This 15-minute fireworks extravaganza, choreographed to your favorite patriotic music, can be viewed from all locations within the 293-acre park, and will be simulcast on KTEX 106.

Visitors can tour Barrington Living History Farm, Star of the Republic Museum, Independence Hall and the top-notch Visitor's Center. Admission is free but some tour fees apply.

The Star of the Republic Museum will feature a new exhibit, "The Bison: American Icon," which explores the significance of this great creature from the Plains Indian culture of the 1800s through the commercial and national symbol of the present. This special exhibition is brought to you by Mid-American Arts Alliance and made possible through NEH on the Road, a special initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The fireworks are free, along with free admission to the Park. Free shuttle buses will be available to bring visitors from satellite parking area, beginning at noon.

For more information about fees and directions, call (936) 878-2214 or visit www.birthplaceoftexas.com.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is located approximately one hour northwest of Houston on FM 1155 (off Hwy. 105) between Brenham and Navasota.

Brenham/Washington County is located halfway between Houston and Austin. Home of Blue Bell ice cream, Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site - "The Birthplace of Texas," more than 40 bed and breakfast inns, wineries, Brenham's Main Street District, and more.