Fourth of July celebrations set in Pearland, Friendswood and Alvin

Molly and the Ringwalds will perform at the Fourth of July celebration in Friendswood at Centennial Park, 2200 S. Friendswood Drive.Molly and the Ringwalds will perform at the Fourth of July celebration in Friendswood at Centennial Park, 2200 S. Friendswood Drive. less Molly and the Ringwalds will perform at the Fourth of July celebration in Friendswood at Centennial Park, 2200 S. Friendswood Drive.Molly and the Ringwalds will perform at the Fourth of July celebration in ... more Photo: handout Photo: handout Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Fourth of July celebrations set in Pearland, Friendswood and Alvin 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

For more than 100 years, the city of Friendswood has been celebrating the Fourth of July.

This year's daylong celebration will begin 10 a.m. Friday, July 4, with a parade that will start at the corner of FM 518 and Heritage Drive and travel down Friendswood Drive.

"Friendswood: Small Town, Big Hearts" is the theme of the 119th annual celebration.

The parade will feature about 100 entries and conclude at Stevenson Park, 1100 S. Friendswood Drive, where more than 50 booths, rides, games, food, live entertainment and activities for the family are planned, said Drew Pennywell, recreation manager.

Wristbands for unlimited rides are $5 if purchased in advance at the Friendswood Parks and Recreation Department, 910 S. Friendswood Drive, and $10 on July 4, he said.

Activities will begin shortly after the parade ends and will continue until 3:30 p.m. Activities will resume at 7:30 p.m. at Centennial Park, 2200 S. Friendswood Drive.

Headlining entertainment will be Molly and the Ringwalds, winners of the 2003-08 Houston Press Music Award for Best Cover Band and winners of the 2005 and 2006 Houston Chronicle "Ultimate Houston" Award for Best Cover Band.

Starting at 9:20 p.m., fireworks will be displayed and choreographed to patriotic music.

Public parking will not be available at Centennial Park. Spectators must ride the free shuttle service to the park. Shuttle service will be available from Clear Brook High School, 4607 FM 2351, and from Friendswood High School, 702 Greenbriar. Shuttles will begin at 6:30 p.m. The last inbound bus from parking sites to Centennial Park departs at 8:45 p.m.

For additional information, call 281-996-3220 or email rec@friendswood.com

Alvin

Alvin Parks and Recreation is organizing a July Fourth celebration at Alvin Community College, 3100 Mustang Road.

People are asked to bring their lawn chairs.

The community band will begin to play at 7:30 p.m. and the fireworks show is scheduled to start at 9 p.m.

For more information, call 281-388-4299.

Pearland

Kids are invited to visit the Memorial Hermann Kid Zone at Pearland's Fourth of July celebration including free activities, courtesy of Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital.

Kid Zone activities include strolling entertainment; plush, rideable animals on wheels that light up and sing songs; and inflatables.

The annual celebration, organized each year by Pearland Parks and Recreation will take place 6-10 p.m. July 4 at Pearland High School football stadium, 3775 S. Main.

Entertainment will begin with the Veterans of Foreign Wars military salute, followed by the Let Freedom Sing talent search winner's rendition of the national anthem.

The concert featuring the Drywater Band will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the H-E-B entertainment stage.

Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.

Free parking is available at Pearland High School.

Or, people can take the free shuttle from Pearland Junior High South, 4919 Bailey Road.

For information, visit pearlandtx.gov/departments/parks-recreation/special-events or call 281-412-8989.