HOUSTON – This year's Freedom Over Texas celebration at Eleanor Tinsley Park will showcase NASA as it launches space month in July and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Here is everything you need to know about the event:
What is Freedom Over Texas?
Freedom Over Texas is an annual Fourth of July celebration where people can enjoy performances, food and a fireworks show. The event is expected to attract over 50,000 people.
What should I bring?
According to event planners, people are encouraged to bring sunscreen and mosquito spray, sunglasses and a hat, a towel or blanket for comfortable viewing, portable chargers and cash, a credit card or a debit card in order to enjoy the wide variety of food and beverages offered.
What should I wear?
Event planners recommend people wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and comfortable shoes.
“Be smart, flat shoes and tennis shoes are the best for an outdoor festival with light-colored clothing, hat, sunglasses, make sure all the kids stay hydrated,” said Susan Christian with the City of Houston Special Events. “Really just put on your red, white, and blue patriotic attitude and get down here, make memories for your family.”
What can’t I bring?
Food or beverages, excluding infant or special health needs item, are not allowed at the event. Organizers also said people should not bring the following items:
- coolers
- alcohol
- pets – except for seeing eye and assistance dogs
- glass containers
- shading devices larger than 4 feet in diameter
- skates, Rollerblades or skateboards
- prohibited weapons
- fireworks or laser pointers
And due to performers' contracts, no professional recording devices (audio, video, camera and drones) are allowed during live performances. Any person found using any of this equipment will be asked to leave the venue and all media discs will be confiscated.
What is the schedule?
The event starts at 4 p.m. Thursday and will go until 10 p.m.
What is the ticket price?
Ticket prices are $10 per person, and children 5 and under get in for free.
What can you expect to see?
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, there will be up-close experiences with astronauts, robotic demonstrations, virtual reality field trips to the International Space Station, the Space Exploration Vehicle, NASA's Destination Station and other NASA assets and activities.
“We have a moon globe, they can take selfies, they can learn about what we’ll be doing on the moon,” said Deputy Director Vanessa Wyche of NASA Johnson’s Space Center. “We want them to learn about it, we want them to study STEM fields and we want them to be our next generation of space explorers."
There will also be live performances, including singers Jake Owen and Kellie Pickler, who will perform on the main stage.
"We have five zones of entertainment,” Christian said. “We have four stages. We have an incredible fireworks show that you've heard about. And we have just a lot of activities for young and old.”