HOUSTON – Freedom Over Texas, Houston’s annual Fourth of July celebration, will continue this year but without public activities or public access due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The firework event will still be held at Buffalo Bayou and Sam Houston parks.
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Freedom Over Texas 2020Freedom Over Texas, Houston’s annual Fourth of July celebration, will continue this year but without public activities or public access due to the coronavirus pandemic. READ: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/07/01/from-road-closures-to-viewing-spots-heres-what-you-should-know-about-freedom-over-texas/
Posted by KPRC2 / Click2Houston on Saturday, July 4, 2020
“The city of Houston will celebrate freedom this year, but out of an abundance of caution during the COVID-19 pandemic, we want people to stay home and watch the fireworks,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a written statement. “The virtual celebration will include a dazzling display of red, white, and blue as we reflect on the history of our country and the challenging events of 2020. Let us never forget what it means to be in the land of the free and the home of the brave. We are #HoustonStrong.”
“Sadly, for the first time in the history of the event, the public is not invited to the park for our annual Fourth of July celebration,” said Susan Christian, director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, in a written statement. “Out of concern for public safety we are not producing our traditional grand festival.”
Christian said the fireworks will be an elevated launch so more Houstonians can celebrate and watch the show by looking toward the city’s skyline from the west.
Freedom Over Texas will feature a lineup of live and virtual entertainers. It will be broadcast and livestreamed on July 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Road closures
To accommodate a larger fallout zone for a larger fireworks show, Memorial Drive and Allen Parkway will be closed as follows:
Friday, 4 p.m. to Sunday, 11:59 p.m.
- Metered Parking along Buffalo Bayou Park between Sabine Street and Taft Street Block 600-1900
Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
- Allen Parkway north and southbound exit ramps from I-45 (South and North Freeways)
- Allen Parkway inbound and outbound between Taft and Bagby Street
- Walker Street split at Allen Parkway outbound
- Heiner Street at West Dallas Street
- Crosby Street at Allen Parkway inbound
- Park Vista Dr. at Allen Parkway inbound
- Gillette Street at Allen Parkway inbound
- Taft Street at Allen Parkway inbound
- Memorial Drive inbound and outbound between Shepherd Dr. and Bagby Street
- Sabine at the Sabine bridge at Allen Parkway outbound
- Westbound N. Memorial Way entrance ramp between Trinity and Sabine