Today the Red, Hot & Blue Festival is known for its five activation sites around The Woodlands—complete with live music, concessions, children’s activities, and an 18-minute firework extravaganza—but it comes from surprisingly humble beginnings.

In 1997, The Woodlands’ Town Center was a well of untapped potential. Seeking to attract residents to new shops and restaurants in the area, The Town Center Improvement District discovered the perfect solution. The Fourth of July was rapidly approaching, and celebrating America’s independence at the heart of a deeply patriotic community was sure to spark some interest.

Dozens of spectators gather with lawn chairs in a park beside The Woodlands Mall (where Kirby Ice House sits today) to view the Red, Hot & Blue fireworks on the Fourth of July. Historical photo of RH&B.

The 2000 Red, Hot & Blue Festival between I-45 and The Woodlands Mall | Photo courtesy of Nick Wolda

Fireworks over The Fountains at Waterway Square

The 2019 Red, Hot & Blue Festival at Waterway Square | Photo by Mauricio Ramirez

The first annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival was established on the southwest corner of Mall Ring Road, where Kirby Ice House is located today. Intended to create a laid-back, small-town atmosphere, the event featured dunk tanks, a local band, and a classic fireworks show.

The more The Woodlands expanded, the more traction the festival gained. It frequently changed hands and locations to accommodate the growing crowds, starting with The Woodlands Township’s Convention and Visitor Bureau (currently known as Visit The Woodlands) in 2001. In their hands, the carnival shifted south to where The Waterway now resides, then jumped to Town Green Park. It wasn’t long before a second location popped up at Waterway Square.

Two men smile at the camera. On the left is Nick Wolda, President of Visit The Woodlands, wearing blue jeans, a bright red polo, and a white blazer. On the right is Chris Nunes, wearing a lime green polo and khaki slacks with a brown belt. They are standing in a park with bright green grass, bright green trees, and a branch of The Woodlands Waterway.

Nick Wolda and Chris Nunes at Town Green Park

“Something that stands out to me about Red, Hot & Blue is its impact on the community,” said Nick Wolda, President of Visit The Woodlands. “Dennis Muehsler was a festival intern back in 2001, and now he’s the principal of The Woodlands High School Ninth Grade Campus. Parker McCollum was a local kid who performed on our stage in 2013, and he’s gone on to be a country music star.”

A strategic transfer of ownership to The Woodlands Township’s Parks and Recreation Department took place in 2015, rocketing Red, Hot & Blue to new heights. Listening closely to the community’s needs, they created a (mostly) walkable hub of activities with new locations at Northshore Park, Hughes Landing, and Rob Flemming Park. They also brought in more live music groups, more fireworks, and added many of the family-friendly activities that the festival is known for today.

“There’s a really great synergy between all these activation sites,” said Chris Nunes, Chief Operating Officer, The Woodlands Township, “But there’s also this neat ‘pick your experience’ aspect for guests to enjoy what they want to enjoy, whether they want to picnic in the park or try all the shopping and dining options along The Waterway.”

 

An overhead view of Waterway Square at dusk, featuring The Towers at The Woodlands Waterway, the Westin, The Fountains at The Waterway, the flower mural, a long stretch of The Waterway, and more. Most of the trees in the area are wrapped in golden lights.

Waterway Square

The camera focuses on the sidewalk leading to various blue-roofed pavilions at Northshore Park. Along the right is Lake Woodlands, the water deep blue under a bright blue sky and sporadic clouds.

Northshore Park

Overview of Hughes Landing at Sunset.

Hughes Landing

The camera focuses on a thin tree limb with bright green fern-like leaves. The out-of-focus background overlooks Rob Fleming Park with grassy fields, lush trees, and a bright blue lake.

Rob Fleming Park

Independence Day in The Woodlands is designed to bring the community together—and Red, Hot & Blue is only part of a larger whole. Every July 3, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presents the Star-Spangled Salute, a free patriotic performance by The Houston Symphony. Wake up early for the South County Fourth of July Parade, then take a dip at one of many Red, Hot & Pool locations before the Red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza. Whichever experience guests prefer, everyone can find a way to celebrate and connect this summer.

The Woodlands is home to 120,000 residents, but it’s also a premiere destination for business and leisure travel. Trying to maintain a laid-back, small-town atmosphere can be tricky. But through family-centered events like Red, Hot & Blue, The Woodlands has embraced this challenge, creating a beautiful, interconnected community that anyone would be proud to call home.