HOUSTON ¨C The eyes and ears of Texas will be on Houston this Fourth of July weekend, as the city¡¯s official July Fourth event offers unbeatable entertainment, a lively outdoor festival, and the largest land-based fireworks show in the nation. On Friday, July 4, Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert and Jo Dee Messina, will ignite the stage at the 2008 Chevy¡¯s Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks Presented by Shell. The concert will be followed by the largest land-based fireworks show in the nation, presented by Shell Oil Company and produced by the world-renowned fireworks artists from Pyro Spectaculars North by Souza. Both the concert and the fireworks will be televised live statewide from Eleanor Tinsley Park.

Country music stars Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert and Jo Dee Messina will take the stage to perform their chart-topping hits. Sara Evans, a Missouri native, began her career singing country music with her family¡¯s band when she was five years old. The award-winning artist has won numerous accolades including the Academy of Country Music¡¯s Female Vocalist of the Year, the Country Music Association¡¯s Video of the Year for ¡°Born to Fly,¡± and 2006 Female Vocalist of the Year in the R&R Reader¡¯s Poll. Her hits include ¡°I could not ask for more,¡± ¡°Born to Fly,¡± and ¡°No Place That Far.¡± A small-town girl from Texas, Miranda Lambert burst onto the music scene as a finalist in the 2003 season of the NASHVILLE STAR television series. She didn¡¯t win the show, but what she did win was a recording deal with Columbia Nashville. Lambert hasn¡¯t looked back since, and she recently debuted her latest album Crazy Ex-Girlfriend to rave reviews leading to her nomination for CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, and she won the 2008 Academy of County Music Awards Album of the Year. Kicking off the show is award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist, Jo Dee Messina, who will perform many country music favorites. Famed girl group from the fifties and sixties, The Shirelles, will also take the stage performing many of their chart-topping hits including ¡°Soldier Boy,¡± ¡°Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,¡± and ¡°Mama Said.¡±

When the concert comes to a close at approximately 9:30 p.m., eyes will turn skyward for an extraordinary fireworks display. Perfectly set to a selection of America¡¯s favorite tunes, from patriotic songs to rock ¡®n¡¯ roll hits to classic bestsellers, this year¡¯s show is the city¡¯s largest to date.

¡°Houston invites all of Texas to celebrate America's birthday with us," said Mayor Bill White. "Thanks to Chevy's continuous partnership, the city is able to bring in unbeatable headliners and a host of other entertainment. For the third year in a row, Shell is on board to underwrite a spectacular fireworks show, making Houston the number one Fourth of July destination in the country."

All the excitement for Chevy¡¯s Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks Presented by Shell will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 4. In addition to the star-spangled celebration, Houston will keep visitors entertained all week long with a thrilling Astros vs. Dodgers baseball series; art exhibits from around the world including the Museum of Fine Arts¡¯ Designs by Architects: Mealwork from the Mango Grant Walsh Collection and the Korean Art and Culture Initiative; theater and music performances including Ain¡¯t Misbehavin¡¯ at the Ensemble Theatre, and the Houston Symphony¡¯s Target Summer Symphony Nights at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on July 3.

"Chevy has proudly held the title sponsorship to Freedom Over Texas for four years. We're coming back to Houston again and bringing an even bigger celebration," stated Jay Allen, Chevrolet Regional Marketing Manager. "We always look forward to spending July 4 in Houston and this year, the Chevy stage will be ignited with phenomenal country music artists like Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert and Jo Dee Messina. Chevy's also bringing many fun-filled, interactive family activities that showcase our award-winning cars and trucks, including the North American Car of the Year award recipient, the all-new 2008 Chevy Malibu."

In addition to this year's entertainment headliners, The City of Houston¡¯s Official Fourth of July celebration will also spotlight a top-notch selection of local music talent. Five different stages will keep toes tapping with the diverse musical sounds of today¡¯s America, including pop, Latino, country western, classic rock, and oldies.

Throughout the afternoon, festival-goers will explore Chevy¡¯s Liberty Park, which will showcase displays of military artifacts and vehicles. In Chevy Alley, guests will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of their favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet race cars; explore a mini-auto show featuring some of today's hottest Chevy cars and trucks; and take a ride in the interactive Racing Simulator. Children will stay entertained with free rides, games, face painting, jugglers and more in the All American Kids Zone.

Festival attendees can kick back and relax at the Budweiser Beer Garden, offering a selection of Budweiser beers with a prime view of the Bud Light Texas Volleyball Championship. This men¡¯s and women¡¯s semi-pro statewide championship tournament will be played prior to the concert and fireworks, with preliminary tournaments being held in Houston, Galveston, San Antonio and Dallas.

"On behalf of the more than 18,000 Houston-area Shell and Motiva employees and retirees, we are proud to be part of this community event that celebrates America's freedom," said Marvin Odum, President of Shell Oil Company. "We salute the City of Houston for honoring this great American tradition."

Chevy¡¯s Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks Presented by Shell will be simulcast on KTRK-TV (ABC), Ch.13 from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday, July 4, and will be syndicated statewide on KTVT-TV (CBS) in Dallas/Ft. Worth, KEYE-TV (CBS) in Austin, KMYL-TV (My Network TV) in Lubbock, KUPT-TV (My Network TV) in Hobbs, NM, KMYL-TV (My Network TV) in Albuquerque, NM, KTRE-TV (ABC) in Lufkin, TX, and KXTS-TV (My Network TV) in Victoria, TX. In addition, Clear Channel radio station, Mix 96.5/KHMX-FM will simulcast the music medley specially choreographed for the fireworks spectacular.

Admission for the festival, which benefits the Central Houston Civic Improvement, Inc. is $5 for Early Bird Admission (Adults arriving by 5 p.m.), $8 for General Admission (adults arriving after 5 p.m.), and children under 10 are free.

Chevy¡¯s Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks Presented by Shell sponsors include: Title sponsor Chevrolet; Fireworks sponsor Shell Oil Company; Clear Channel Radio-Houston (Classic Rock 93.7, The Arrow/KKRW-FM, Mega 101/KLOL-FM, 94.5 The Buzz/KTBZ-FM, Mix 96.5/KHMX-FM, Sunny 99.1/KODA-FM, NewsRadio 740/KTRH-AM, 790 The Sports Animal/KBME-AM, The 9-5-0 Radio Mojo/ KPRC-AM); Budweiser/Silver Eagle Distributors, Doubletree Hotel Houston Downtown, M¨¦lange Fine Cuisine, Inc., University of Houston, Houston Chronicle, and Starbucks.

Chevrolet is one of America¡¯s best-known and best-selling automotive brands. With the largest dealer network in the United States, Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,995 to $83,175. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles. More information on Chevrolet can be found at www.chevrolet.com.