Fireworks sales boomed across Houston this month. The 18-minute show will be launched around 9:30 p.m. from the campus of Lone Star College - Montgomery . 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. “But it’s more different because most of our family members have tested positive so they have to isolate and it’s like the only way you could talk to them is on the phone or FaceTiming and that’s about it.”, Dylan McGuinness and Todd Ackerman contributed to this story, In Houston, fireworks sales boomed as public gatherings fizzled. Now is the time for an abundance of caution and safety.”. “In a weird way, it’s sort of a blessing in my business,” Jozwiak said. The virtual celebration will include a dazzling display of red, white, and blue as we reflect on the history of our country and the challenging events of 2020. In Galveston, the city will be at least giving the appearance of a normal July 4. Shannon Ensey, left, helps Mathew Ford Jr., age five, center, and his father Mathew Ford Sr., left, buy fireworks at half price at the Texas Outlaw fireworks stand in the mid-afternoon Saturday, July. Business is usually good around July 4, Brandenburg said, but this year’s boom in fireworks sales suggests that more people will be putting on backyard shows in lieu of the typical citywide celebrations. Customers line up to buy half-priced fireworks at the Texas Outlaw Fireworks stand in the mid-afternoon Saturday in Conroe. Stephen Newberry, who owns Lone Star Flags & Flagpoles and Kites Unlimited on Seawall Boulevard, said the beach closure would be “devastating” to retail businesses on the beach. Nearly every city and town along the I-45 corridor has cancelled their annual parades and picnics. Nick Powell covers Galveston and the Bay Area for the Houston Chronicle. Photo: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer. Magnum Fireworks owner Jennifer Jozwiak estimated that business increased 50% from last year since more people were staying home and celebrating in their own yards. 4, 2020 in Conroe, TX. Dylan McGuinness contributed to this report. Let us never forget what it means to be in the land of the free and the home of the brave. At night, many did come out to watch the Shell Freedom Over Texas fireworks show, even though the staging area Eleanor Tinsley Park was closed to the public. Clayton Ensey, behind the counter, helps Mathew Ford Sr., his his five year old son Mathew Ford Jr. buy fireworks at half price at the Texas Outlaw fireworks stand in the mid-afternoon Saturday, July. “For the mayor to close (beaches) with two days’ notice made it even worse.”. Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer. Greg Abbott earlier in the week. “The fireworks will be able to be seen from about a three-quarters of a mile distance from (the fireworks site), so spectators are asked to stay in their vehicles and stay within their family unit,” said Dixie Roberts, a spokeswoman for the city of Alvin. Shops, restaurants, and galleries in the city’s historic downtown district will be decorated with an abundance of new patriotic decorations, part of a “Star Spangled Island” theme. HOUSTON, TX — July 4 is quickly approaching, which means it's time to find out what Fourth of July fireworks and festivities are going on near you this Independence Day. “I mean, you’re stuck at home with your family on the Fourth. Bellaire 4th of July Parade & Festival (July 4, 2020; 9:30–11 am) Those who want to start their 4th of July celebration with a traditional parade can head to Bellaire, Texas . When the city of Santa Fe announced Tuesday that it would be canceling the annual July 4 fireworks show due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Shannon Brandenburg braced herself for an uptick in fireworks sales. Joggers and dogwalkers dotted the outskirts of Buffalo Bayou, which remains closed through Saturday ahead of the city’s fireworks. People gather at the Spotts Park to watch the 2020 Shell Freedom Over Texas fireworks event on Independence Day on Saturday, July 4, 2020, in Houston. The concert portion, which will feature Houston's Symphony Orchestra and several musical artists, will be broadcast on TV and available to stream online. Health officials said Thursday that one in four Houstonians who are getting tested have the virus. 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. 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. “So Houstonians can see a much bigger show at a much further distance.”. Experts wonder who is left to vote on Election Day after record early turnout, From Arthur to Eta, 2020 ties record for most storms. Alluding to his impending departure, Yarbrough said he “might as well go out with a bang,” and is willing to take the heat for closing the beach as long as it keeps people safe from infection. Otherwise, Houstonians were hard to find. One couple who forgot their masks raised their shirts over their mouth and nose if anyone got close. “We stock up, expecting to do a certain amount of business based on being in the business for 35 years and the track record we can expect for that period of time,” Newberry said. The governor has closed bars and on Thursday ordered nearly all Texans to begin wearing face masks in public. The church will receive 10% of the profit from sales there. Watch the Houston Freedom over Texas 2020 Independence Day fireworks live stream. And yet beaches on the 27-mile island will be closed through the holiday weekend beginning 5 a.m. Friday until just after midnight on Monday, angering some Galveston business owners who rely on summer traffic to generate revenue. Roly Gutierrez rides a unicycle dressed a Uncle Sam during a Fourth of July celebration, Saturday, July 4, 2020, in Shenandoah. 4, 2020 in Houston, TX. Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer, Texas passes California for most coronavirus cases despite smaller population, Loop 610 Trump rally draws more than 1,300 vehicles, New drive-thru holiday light park to make debut in Houston area, Biden campaign cancels 2 Texas events after vehicles with Trump flags surround Biden-Harris bus on I-35, Texas college football rankings: It’s Texas A&M and then the rest, Tensions flare at recent pro-Trump demonstrations in Texas, Houston-area, One dead following back-to-back crashes in West University Place, Police investigating shooting in Target parking lot, Houston man wanted in death of Elsik High School teen following family feud. But the rolling average for new cases dropped slightly, the first such decrease in more than three weeks. "It's outside, I'm not too worried," said Shawn Ware, visiting from Alvin. 4, 2020 in Conroe, TX. Know of other events in the area? 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 fireworks will also be enhanced for people viewing from all over the city, said Susan Christian, Houston's director of special events. Due to the pandemic, counties or cities may adjust or cancel events at the last minute. Some are going ahead with fireworks shows, albeit with social distancing baked into the event, or as drive-thru celebrations. Coronavirus cases grew in Texas on Saturday by 5,815, the sixth straight day with more than 5,000. The 2020 Shell Freedom Over Texas fireworks event will reach an elevation of 800 feet, almost doubling the height of the traditional show, for more to enjoy from further away, but all the entrances to Allen Parkway and Memorial Parkway have been blocked to keep the public from congregating. Socially distanced July Fourth on tap for the Houston region amid coronavirus spike.