SPECIAL EVENTS

Fireworks will ignite the Houston sky and an array of diverse music will set the stage for an extraordinary patriotic celebration at the City of Houston's official Fourth of July event, Southwest Airlines Freedom Over Texas presented by Reliant, scheduled for Wednesday, July 4 from 4 – 10 p.m.

"It is our civic duty to celebrate the birth of our nation and reflect upon those brave men and women who have made great sacrifices for the freedoms we enjoy," said Mayor Annise D. Parker. Thanks to Featured Artists Sponsor, Reliant, the day's events will culminate with performances by country music super stars Billy Currington and Sara Evans.

“Reliant and the City of Houston have a long-standing and valued relationship not only as business partners, but more importantly, as community partners jointly supporting important local programs like Beat the Heat Centers, Earth Day and the Mayor’s annual Holiday Celebration tree lighting and toy drive,” said Karen Jones, Reliant Chief Marketing Officer. “We are equally proud to take this opportunity to say thanks to our loyal Reliant customers by offering them free tickets to join us in this important Houston tradition that celebrates the freedom and independence that Texans hold dear.”

Freedom Stage featured artist, Billy Currington, will please Houston crowds with songs from his newest album, Enjoy Yourself, along with a few of his Top 10 hits like – “That’s How Country Boys Roll,” “People Are Crazy,” ”Don’t,” “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” and “Good Directions.”

Currington tours with Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Sugarland and Carrie Underwood, who notes that Billy’s “talent and charm” make crowds fall in love with him. His multiple nominations include two 2010 Grammy nominations (Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song) for “People Are Crazy,” which also received nominations for Single and Song of the Year from the Academy of Country Music (ACM), as well as Single, Song and Video of the Year from the Country Music Association (CMA). He was honored with a 2006 nomination for Top New Male Vocalist at the ACMs. In 2005, “Party For Two,” his duet with Shania Twain, was nominated at the ACMs and CMAs.

Joining Currington is Grammy Award© winner, Sara Evans. Evans is ready to celebrate with her newest collection, Stronger, which features titles, “Ticket to Ride,” “Desperately” and a remake of Rod Stewart’s “My Heart Can’t Tell You No.” She’ll also bring old favorites to the party with “Born to Fly,” “Suds in the Bucket,” “I Keep Looking” and “Perfect.”

Evans is a two-time (2004, 2005) CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, the 2005 ACM Female Vocalist of the Year and that year’s ACM Album of the Year winner. She was named Female Country Artist of the Year by Billboard Music Awards in 2004. She has been recognized with numerous honors and music awards and was named one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People.

The opening act on the Freedom Stage, Ernest Walker Band, has a mix of funky blues, Latin and soul music. His ensemble includes famous percussionist Marcie Chapa who has toured with Beyonce, Yolanda Adams, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West, Jay Z, and Regina Belle. David de la Garza, an accomplished keyboard player and vocalist and member of the four-time Grammy Award-winning La Mafia. Also performing is Andy Vargas, soloist for Carlos Santana, and saxophonist Eric Demmer who has performed with B.B. King, George Duke, David Sanborn, Todd Rundgren, Delbert McClinton and The Allman Brothers. Houstonian Tamar Davis, featured soloist, who is currently touring with Tyler Perry, and Brent Carter, lead singer for the Average White Band and formerly with Tower of Power will complete this eclectic band.

In addition to this year’s entertainment lineup, the festival will also spotlight local and regional musicians. Throughout the day, five stages will keep toes tapping with Latin, R&B and Rock up-tempo melodies. 

KBR Liberty Park – “Symbols of Freedom”
• A reminder of the patriotic roots of the Fourth of July, KBR’s Liberty Park features “Symbols of Freedom”, and offers patrons the unique opportunity to see and take pictures with military assets including M-60 tanks, armored vehicles and jeeps.
• With her variety band, Yelba & Latin Fire, performs dance music ranging from Rock and Roll, R&B, Jazz, Country and even Disco, while entertaining audiences with high energy, enthusiasm and charisma. She will even teach you how to dance Salsa!
• The Pictures cover a wide variety of styles and songs, including current and past Top 40, Oldies, Motown, Jazz, Country Rock, Rap, Hip Hop and House.
• Honor Our Troops (KBR’s Community Partner) provides visitors a chance to send a care package with personalized messages to a member of our Armed Forces.
• Meet veterans from the National Sojourners, a group who supports all patriotic aims in Masonry. In addition, they will present “Build A Flag,” to educate attendees about the evolution of the flag.
• Visit with recruiters on-site and interact with representatives from the Army, Marine, Navy, Air Force, FBI, and HPD.
• Participate in fun games that test both agility and strength and see historical items that have helped shape our nation’s history.

Bud Light Zone
• Visitors, over the age of twenty-one, will be able to “cool off” with a cold one at the All American Beer Garden.
• Inside the All American Beer Garden enjoy a prime view of the eighth annual Bud Light Texas Sand Volleyball Championship Series Finals.
• Be entertained with the acoustic Storytelling by Ira Perez, Chris Crump, Tony Henry and music by The KrackerNuttz.
• Watch Houston’s hip-hop dance crew, SoReal Dance Studio, who gained fame as the runner-up on the second season of MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew.

Walmart All-American Kids Zone
• Radio Disney Junior will focus on pre-school age children and their parents. This high energy area will feature activity stations, interactive games with awesome prizes and giveaways.
• Red Door Productions is back by popular demand. This diverse dance group and children’s performance company provides the venue and resources for students to promote the arts.
• HaviKoro is a Houston based group of internationally acclaimed and award winning dancers. The performers specialize in hip hop/house crew. They will demonstrate several forms of dance such as break dancing, popping and funk. HaviKoro has performed in Helsinki, Moscow, Paris, Frankfurt, Hannover, Tokyo, Seoul, New Zealand, London, Zurich, Baku, and all major U.S. cities.
• Brazilian Arts Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing cultural education and building community through the preservation and sharing of Brazilian culture.
• SoReal Dance Studio features a conglomerate of dances and training ranging from Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz, choreography, Ballet, Salsa and fitness.
• Harry Maurer is a Houston based comic magician returning from a show in Las Vegas just to appear in the Walmart All-American Kids Zone. Nominated for a prestigious “Atlantic City Entertainer of the Year Award” Maurer has a quick wit and a charming personality and knows how to get people to laugh while being amazed.
• Caricatures, Face Painting, and Henna Tattoo Artists will be a popular attraction for all ages, and Free Rides and Games will be available throughout the event.

Patriot Stage
• Step Rideau and the Zydeco Outlaws offers music that is fused from influences ranging from old Creole folk songs to classic rhythm and blues to rap and beyond.
• A six piece dance band with high energy, Radio London prides itself on providing quality entertainment, with a repertoire that includes pop, rock, rhythm & blues, country and standards.
• Ernest Walker Band has a mix of funky blues, Latin and soul music. His ensemble includes Marcie Chapa, Andy Vargas, Brent Carter, Tamar Davis, Eric Demmer, David de la Garza, and Rick Marcel, Werner L. Richmond

Southwest Airlines®
• Southwest Airlines SKY STAGE features vintage aircrafts from the Lone Star Flight Museum including a B-17 Bomber, B-25 Bomber and two A-26 Invaders which will all make fly-over’s throughout the festival.
• Southwest Airlines VIP Hangar

Additional activities:
• Everyone can be an athlete at the Family Fitness Challenge Area where activities will be provided by Houston professional sports teams including the Houston Aeros, Houston Astros, Houston Dynamo, Houston Texans and Houston Rockets.

In keeping with last year’s theme, Freedom Over Texas will further expand the availability of recycling receptacles to make it easier for attendees to recycle. The City of Houston is committed to supporting green initiatives and promoting sustainability.

Freedom Over Texas sponsors include: Featured Artists Sponsor, Reliant; Anchor Sponsors Bud Light, KBR, Southwest Airlines, Walmart; Additional sponsors include Sprint, Silver Leaf Resorts, McDonald’s and Camping World of Houston. In-Kind Sponsors are the Houston Chronicle; 100.3 KILT; HOT 95-7; Mix 96-5; SportsRadio 610 and Mega 101 FM, Doubletree Hotel Houston Downtown, Radio Disney, Greenstar Recycling, Metro, Houston Aeros, Houston Astros, Houston Dynamo, Houston Rockets and Houston Texans. Co-producers of the event are City of Houston/Mayor’s Office of Special Events and KTRK-TV ABC-13. Freedom Over Texas’ Community Partner is the Houston Food Bank. The event benefits Central Houston Civic Improvement, Inc., a nonprofit 501 (c).

MORE INFO: Visit the event website at www.freedomovertexas.org.