(by:Houston Chronicle): This Fourth of July will look very different for Houston-area residents . The governor has closed bars and on Thursday ordered nearly all Texans to begin wearing face masks in public. Nearly every city and town along the I-45 corridor has cancelled their annual parades and picnics. Some are going ahead with fireworks shows, albeit with social distancing baked into the event, or as drive-thru celebrations.
On the coast, Galveston has shut down its beaches, hoping to avoid a repeat of Memorial Day weekend when thousands converged on the island despite a pandemic. Brazoria County will do the same, restricting beach access only to those who can provide proof of residence or a vacation rental booking.
Of course, normalcy is in the eye of the beholder. Houston’s July 4th celebrations have been marred by rain in recent years, including flooding that caused blue letters from a temporary HOUSTON sign to float down Buffalo Bayou, a metaphor that hit a little too close to home with Hurricane Harvey a not-so-distant memory. At least the forecast for Saturday is sunny with a high of 98.
Yet Houston officials are walking a delicate tightrope, caught between wanting to give citizens the illusion of routine midsummer holiday festivities, while practically begging people to stay in their homes, wear masks, and practice social distancing. Health officials said Thursday that one in four Houstonians who are getting tested have the virus.
"It is imperative that everyone remember we are fighting for our community and the health and safety of our family and friends,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner at a pre-July 4 briefing on Thursday. “As mayor, I can't force you to change your behavior, but I am strongly encouraging you to take the virus seriously."
But the city is doing everything in its power to make July 4 enjoyable. City parks will remain open for active recreation only and urban park rangers will be patrolling to make sure folks aren’t gathering in groups. However, Eleanor Tinsley and Buffalo Bayou Parks will be closed altogether Saturday for the city’s “Freedom Over Texas” Independence Day celebration and fireworks show, which begins at 7 p.m. The annual event, which will be televised on KTRK Channel 13, will include musical performances from the Houston Symphony, Pat Green, Bun B and Trae Tha Truth, among others.
The fireworks will also be enhanced for people viewing from all over the city, said Susan Christian, Houston's director of special events. The fireworks shells that will be going off this year will get between 800 and 1,000 feet in the air, thanks to special accommodations being made to shoot them from a higher altitude.
“We’ve repositioned the show, we’re going to shoot off of trailers and reposition that show so that we can have a much higher latitude and lift for the fireworks show,” Christian said. “So Houstonians can see a much bigger show at a much further distance.”
Other cities are getting creative with their fireworks celebrations. The Woodlands Township is offering residents a “drive-in” fireworks display on Saturday, with designated parking areas for spectators, who are being asked to stay in their cars and social distance. The 18-minute show will be launched around 9:30 p.m. from the campus of Lone Star College - Montgomery .