Celebrate America at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion’s annual Star-Spangled Salute July 3

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Kick off America’s birthday celebration at Star-Spangled Salute as the Houston Symphony takes the Main Stage, Tuesday, July 3 at 8 p.m. at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

This free Independence Eve spectacular, which has been a tradition at The Pavilion for 28 years, features the Houston Symphony in a selection of patriotic favorites, presented by The Howard Hughes Corporation. Tickets are not required for this event. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.

The symphony will perform a variety of Americana favorites led by conductor Steven Reineke whose boundless enthusiasm and exceptional artistry have made him one of the nation’s most sought-after pops conductors, composers and arrangers. Attendees are encouraged to stay for the grand finale as the Symphony performs Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” complete with booming cannons from atop the hill.

Featured vocalist includes Ryan Silverman, who has starred in Side Show on Broadway, for which he received a Drama Desk nomination for Best Actor. Other Broadway credits include star turns as Billy Flynn in Chicago, Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera, Sky in the first national tour of Mamma Mia! and Jose in the world premiere of Carmen at La Jolla Playhouse. TV and film stints include: Good Fight, Gossip Girl, The 5 Minarets of New York, Sex and the City 2, and True Blood.

Pre-concert activities begin at 6:30 p.m. in the North and South Plazas and will feature photo opportunities with patriotic characters as well as a special performance by The Woodlands Show Chorus in the pit. Other activities include The Pavilion Partners Arts & Crafts booth and Instrument Petting Zoo and activations by Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, Woodforest National Bank, Renewal by Andersen and Tommy Bahama.

Families are encouraged to enhance their performing arts experience with Mini Maestros, a free and exciting program that makes the arts both fun and accessible for kids of all ages. By signing up for Mini Maestros, children will receive: a special membership lanyard and badge, free reserved seating at all performing arts events, early entry for Ice Cream Social or Hocus Pocus Pops, a free ticket to Children’s Festival and other great perks throughout the season. Families can register their children at any of The Pavilion’s performing arts events this season at a special booth located in the North Plaza or online at www.woodlandscenter.org/mini-maestros.

Guests are welcome to bring a picnic from home or their favorite restaurant to enjoy in their seat or on the lawn. Keep in mind however, that beverages are not allowed to be brought into The Pavilion and picnics must comply with The Pavilion’s bag size restriction and/or be in original packaging. Examples include pizza within a pizza box or chips in original sealed packaging. Please visit The Pavilion’s website for more information on these restrictions. For those wanting to sit on the hill, lawn chairs also are provided free for this event.

Preferred parking is available in the on-site Town Center Garage, located along Six Pines Drive. Parking is $10 per vehicle for this and most performing arts events. Tickets for on-site parking can be purchased in advance at Ticketmaster.com and The Pavilion Box Office. Guests also may park in any of the free parking lots off Timberloch Drive on the southwest side of The Pavilion.

If you would like more information about The Pavilion, please visit our website at www.woodlandscenter.org. Look for The Pavilion on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube and Instagram, or download The Pavilion’s iOS or Android app.