HOUSTON, TX – 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.

Houston’s annual July 4th event will also feature NEW live music. 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.

“CITGO Freedom Over Texas is my favorite signature event of the year, and it is an honor to be back and partnering with NASA’s Johnson Space Center to launch a month-long celebration, leading up to the anniversary date of the Lunar Landing. This anniversary also marks 50 years of a beneficial and successful partnership between the City of Houston and NASA, a true inspiration for America,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Thanks to our title sponsor CITGO and our anchor sponsors – Bud Light, Dr. Pepper, and Walmart we can provide Houstonians with a fantastic family-friendly event.”

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.

“There is no place like Houston, and Freedom Over Texas is just one of the ways that we all come together to celebrate our city,” said Larry Elizondo, General Manager of Community Relations, Corporate Social Responsibility and Legislative Affairs. On behalf of all CITGO employees in the Houston area, we are honored to be a part of Freedom Over Texas, one of the many programs that continue to make Houston a great place to live and work.”

Launched last year, the CITGO Freedom Over Texas mobile app provides an accessible tool to navigate through the largest Fourth of July Celebration in the state. Available in the iOS App store or Android Play Store, FOT2019 will offer patrons the ability to purchase tickets, view performance schedules and maps, and get parking tips and other helpful hints to enhance the event experience. Guests can check their mobile devices for the latest app updates.

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.

SPONSORS: Title Sponsor: CITGO; Anchor Sponsors: Walmart, Bud Light, Dr Pepper; Area Sponsor: US Family Health Plan; On-Site Sponsors: McDonald’s of Houston, Mission Tortillas, Top Golf, Popsicle, Renewal by Andersen Houston, Navy Federal Credit Union, HoustonFirst, SETRAC, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, METRO; Official Radio Sponsor: COX Media Group: The Eagle 106.9/107.5, The New 93Q, Country Legends 97.1 FM; Official Hotel Sponsor: C. Baldwin, Curio Collection by Hilton; Community Partner: Houston Food Bank; Beneficiary: Houston Civic Events, Inc.; Producer: City of Houston Mayor's Office of Special Events; Television Partner: ABC-13/KTRK-TV.

WHEN: THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2019 from 4-10 p.m

WHERE: Eleanor Tinsley and Sam Houston Parks (KTRK ABC-13 will simulcast all the fun statewide and fireworks music will be simulcast on COX Media Group radio stations

ADMISSION: $5 per person through May 31 available online

$8 per person June 1 – July 3 available online

$10 per person day of show, online and at event

FREE children 5 and under

*Applicable service charges apply for online purchases

TICKETS/INFO: www.freedomovertexas.org

VOLUNTEER: Volunteer and receive the official event t-shirt, free parking, complimentary food and drink! Register at: www.houstonspecialevents.org