Happy Birthday America!!

Happy birthday, America! This 4th of July marks the United States’ 242nd birthday so fire up the grills, pull out the cooler and pass around the Popsicles. Many Houstonians will have summer picnics or days at the pool to relax for the holiday before heading out to see some fireworks. If you are looking for a professional display, grab your umbrella  and head downtown to the CITGO Freedom Over Texas Show over Buffalo Bayou from 4-10pm complete with live music, concession stands and a Kids Zone. It is the largest professional display in the Houston area, but you don't have to go downtown to see fireworks; City Center Plaza and Memorial City Mall will both have Independence Day celebrations with the sky lights at City Center. Towne Lake in Cypress will start its show promptly at 9PM and asks that you bring your appetite as the various restaurants on the boardwalk are eager to serve! In Katy, fireworks will be presented by Typhoon Texas, Katy Mills Mall and at La Centerra. Tomball is home to one of the largest 4th of July festivals in Harris County that is also family friendly and free. The Woodlands won't disappoint those in the far north - the celebration at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion will include a concert by the Houston Symphony Orchestra and a parade with floats, clowns, firetruck and a marching band. In Waller, head to the high school stadium for bumper boats, a food zone, water slides, and rock climbing starting at 3PM before the fireworks show at 9PM. In Sugar Land, live music and other amusement including vendor booths, a zip line, a mechanical bull, rock climbing and face painting are to be had.

If you choose to pop your own fireworks, please keep safety in mind and be considerate. Every year several people - adults and children - are injured using at home fireworks, and if improperly ignited, may cause damage to buildings. They may also be distressing to your veteran neighbors, neighborhood pets, and wild life. With no burn ban in effect this summer, it is legal to use fireworks in unincorporated Harris County - but not in the city! Each subdivision has bylaws for the property owner associations too. Also remember that persons under 16 years of age are not allowed to light fireworks and they should not be used within 100 feet of a gas station or fireworks stand and 600 feet of a school, church or business.