THE WOODLANDS, TX (June 26, 2012) – Music will fill the air this Fourth of July as the 15th Annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival in The Woodlands, produced by The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau and presented by Ellis & Ellis Private Wealth Advisors and BBVA Compass, features some of the hottest musical talents on Wednesday, July 4 from 6 pm – 10 pm at Town Green Park and Waterway Square.

Kicking off the free festivities are The Fondue Monks, a local "Texas Funk" band with a groove that remains true to their Texas roots. The four-man group will take to Town Green Park's Bud Light stage at 6:10 pm, followed by a Beatles Tribute Band, Fab 5, at 8:15 pm.

While at Town Green Park, check out the 55-foot obstacle course, moonwalk slide, mechanical bull, water slide, bubble runners, dry slide, train and the classic H-E-B Watermelon and Hot Dog Eating Contests. As part of the festivities, organizers of the Red, Hot & Blue Festival also will announce winners of the University of Phoenix "Little Firecracker" Essay Contest, a writing competition for students ages 5-18.

At Waterway Square, enjoy the sounds of premier cover band Soulshine, playing rock, country and blues on the State Farm Insurance stage beginning at 6:10 pm.

Cold Shot will take the stage at 7:55 pm, playing rock, pop, dance and variety favorites. Additional activities at Waterway Square includes strolling entertainment, balloon artists, vendor booths, First Choice Emergency Room "Whambulance," and the children's interactive fountains.

Now in its 15th year, the annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival has become one of the more popular July Fourth celebrations in the region, highlighted by the BBVA Compass' Fireworks Extravaganza, a 23-minute explosion of colors lighting up the night's sky. The dazzling fireworks display will be simulcast on Sunny 99.1.

While much of the attention focuses on the fireworks show, there are plenty of other events happening in The Woodlands throughout the week.

On Saturday, June 30, 2012 enjoy live music from Route 66 and strolling entertainment with Waterway Nights, a popular concert and kid-friendly series from 6 pm to 8 pm, at Waterway Square.

On Tuesday, July 3, 2012 gather the family for an evening under the stars with the Houston Symphony's annual Star Spangled Salute, a free concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion starting at 8 pm.

Before the Red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza on July 4, stop by Market Street – The Woodlands for the South County Fourth of July parade starting at 9 am. After the parade, enjoy Splash Day from noon to 4 pm at one of the 13 pools in The Woodlands. Later that evening, head to Northshore Park, west of Lake Front Circle on Lake Woodlands Drive, for the "Things That Go" Bike Parade and Decorating Contest at 4:30 pm. Children 14 years and younger are invited to bring their patriotically-decorated bike, scooter or wagon and parade around the park. Awards for the most creative entries will be given throughout the afternoon. Afterwards, enjoy a free, live music concert featuring Old School Funk by Fidelity Maxx at Concert in the Park.

Those visiting The Woodlands for the week can choose accommodations to suit any taste and budget, including The Woodlands Resort with its Forest Oasis Waterscape, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel, a four-diamond property, or Hyatt Market Street.  A number of limited-service and select-service properties also are available.

The Annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza is free and open to the public thanks to our generous sponsors: Ellis & Ellis, BBVA Compass, University of Phoenix, State Farm Insurance, Planet Ford, Coca Cola, City of Shenandoah, Waste Management, H-E-B, Wright's Printing, Bud Light, First Choice Emergency Room, The Woodlands Development Company, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, St. Luke's - The Woodlands Hospital, U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady, City of Oak Ridge North, SplashTown, Rico's Mexican Grill, The Woodlands Country Club & Canongate, Sunny 99.1, Houston Community Newspapers, The Courier, The Villager, reviewit Magazine, The Woodlands Lifestyles & Homes, WoodlandsOnline, Champions Printing – Publisher of The Woodlands Community Magazine and Kidnnected Magazine.

For more information, a complete schedule of activities, maps and up-to-date parking information, or a listing of hotels and pools in the area, visit www.redhotblue.org.  "Like" The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/VisitTheWoodlands,  "follow" them on Twitter www.twitter.com/TheWoodlandsCVB  and "view" them on YouTube www.youtube.com/TheWoodlandsCVB. 

About The Woodlands

Located just 30 minutes north of Houston, Texas and minutes from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, The Woodlands is an emerging destination for leisure guests, individual business travelers and groups of all sizes.  Visitors to The Woodlands enjoy more than eight million square feet of world-class shopping, dining and entertainment options, more than 194 miles of hike-and-bike trails, the 1,700-acre Mitchell Preserve, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and kayaking on The Woodlands Waterway, Lake Woodlands and 124 parks. The Woodlands features world-class golf and was the home of the Shell Houston Open for 17 years. The Woodlands also is home to more than 1,500 guestrooms in upscale and boutique properties, select service, limited service, conference and convention centers and a resort.