Freedom Over Texas

This year, celebrate Fourth of July along with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing at Freedom Over Texas. (Photo: Richard Carson)

This year, guests will celebrate more than America’s Freedom at the city’s signature Independence Day event, as this July marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. CITGO Freedom Over Texas has partnered with NASA’s Johnson Space Center, to bring an exclusive Space City Experience to all patrons at the event featuring its history and what the future holds for intergalactic exploration and travel. The signature area will include an opportunity to be up close and personal with astronauts, robotic demonstrations, virtual reality fieldtrips to the International Space Station, the Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV), NASA’s Destination Station, and other NASA assets and activities.

Headlining the main stage will be multi chart-topping singer/songwriter Jake Owen with special guest country music star Kellie Pickler. The live performances will be followed by an astronomical fireworks show provided by CITGO.

With more than 3.4 billion global career streams to date, Owen’s versatile talent continues to set the bar for anthem country with #1 hits like “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” “The One That Got Away,” “Beachin’,” “I Was Jack (You Were Diane),” and most recently, “Down To The Honkytonk.” The multi-Platinum entertainer recently released of his sixth full-length studio album, GREETINGS FROM…JAKE, on Big Loud Records. GREETINGS FROM…JAKE is the follow-up to Owen’s AMERICAN LOVE album, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and No. 4 on the Billboard 200 all-genre chart. For more information, visit JakeOwen.net or Facebook atwww.facebook.com/jakeowen, and follow him on Instagram @jakeowenofficial and Twitter @jakeowen.

Kellie Pickler first gained fame in the fifth season of American Idol. She has gone on to release four critically acclaimed albums, including her Gold-certified debut “Small Town Girl” as well as “100 Proof.” Among her best-known hits are the Gold-certified “Red High Heels,” “I Wonder,” “Best Days of Your Life,” “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful,” and “Things That Never Cross a Man’s Mind.” Kellie has also found a place in the world of television after she and her partner, Derek Hough, were declared the winners of the 16th season of Dancing with the Stars. Her newest hit, Pickler & Ben, is a Nashville based talk show co-hosted by Ben Aaron and co-produced by country superstar, Faith Hill.

Local and regional favorites will be performing throughout the site, including Austin-based musician, Jackie Venson, the Ernest Walker Band, featuring Grammy nominated Mary Griffin and De’Andre Nico (The Voice), Fort Sam Hood 323rd Division Army Band 35 to Nowhere and many others.

The Walmart All-American Kids Zone will feature local performances by norteño band Los Luzeros de Rioverde, a contemporary performance and aerialist show celebrating space exploration by Aldine Carver Dance Company, and appearances from your favorite storybook characters and Superheroes. There will be life size games, carnival rides, a rock wall and obstacle course– something for every age.  

This year’s festivities at Eleanor Tinsley and Sam Houston Parks on Buffalo Bayou (along Allen Parkway) include the Walmart All-American Kids Zone, a children’s entertainment area with a stage featuring performances for young and old, alike; the Bud Light Bayou Beer Garden, featuring a fun in the sun good time; the Dr Pepper Zone, featuring Houston professional sports teams, live music and food; Liberty Park featuring US Family Health Plan’s Symbols of Freedom, the Space City Experience, and a salute to all five branches of the military; and, an exciting fireworks finale sponsored by CITGO to end the evening.