Billy Currington headlines Freedom Over Texas 2012.Country stars and fireworks mean just one thing in Houston — Freedom Over Texas.

The annual Fourth of July extravaganza boasts headliners Billy Currington and Sara Evans, who’ve earned a handful of No. 1 singles on the country charts. (Neither act, however, has released a new album in more than a year.) But the zippier stuff comes earlier in the day if you’re prepared to brave the heat of the day.

The Ernest Walker Band features a rotating cast of musicians, including Santana singer Andy Vargas; Average White Band/Tower of Power vocalist Brent Carter; Grammy nominee and Prince protege Tamar Davis; and La Mafia keyboardist David DeLaGarza. They’ll perform twice throughout the evening.

Also scheduled are locals Yelba and Latin Fire, Chris Crump, Ira Perez and Tony Henry, along with patriotic exhibits and a kid zone.

A portion will be broadcast live from 7-10 p.m. on KTRK (Channel 13), with the fireworks music simulcast from 9:35-10 p.m. on KILT (100.3 FM).

Schedule highlights:

Freedom Stage
4:30 p.m.: Ernest Walker Band, featuring Andy Vargas, Brent Carter, Tamar Davis, Eric Demmer, Marci Chapa and David DeLaGarza.
7:05 p.m.: Sara Evans
8:25 p.m.: Billy Currington
9:35 p.m.: Fireworks spectacular

Patriot Stage
4:15 p.m.: Step Rideau and The Zydeco Outlaws
8:15 p.m.: Ernest Walker Band, featuring Andy Vargas, Brent Carter, Tamar Davis, Eric Demmer, Marci Chapa and David DeLaGarza

KBR Liberty Stage
4:30 p.m.: Yelba & Latin Fire

Bud Light Zone Stage
4 p.m.: Texas Sand Volleyball Championship Finals
4 p.m.: The KrackerNuttz
5:15 and 7:30 p.m.: Acoustic storytelling with Ira Perez, Chris Crump and Tony Henry

Festival rules and ticket information
Lawn chairs are allowed at the festival but a few items are not. Please do not bring any pets or animals, beverages or food (baby formula is allowed), alcohol, coolers, bikes, skates, skateboards, weapons, fireworks or any umbrellas larger than 4 feet in diameter.

Cameras and recording equipment are not allowed during any concert.

Tickets to the event are $8 per person (children 5 and under free) Reliant will offer current customers two free tickets to the event, or a 50% discount on two tickets for non-Reliant customers. Special ticket offers courtesy of Reliant at www.freedomovertexas.org. Free and ½ price tickets available online until midnight July 3rd courtesy of Reliant at www.FreedomOverTexas.org.

Parking and directions
Event parking available downtown at the Theater District Parking Garages and at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

FROM I-45 N (North Freeway
Exit McKinney, left on Bagby, right on Rusk to Theater District parking (TDP)
Exit McKinney, left on Bagby, left on Walker to The Hobby Center parking (HCP)
Exit I-10 east to Milam, right on Capitol to TDP
Exit I-10 east to Milam, right on Walker to HCP

FROM I-45 S (Gulf Freeway)
Exit Scott/Downtown to St. Joseph or Pease, right on northbound streets to Capitol, left on Capitol to TDP
Exit Scott/Downtown to St. Joseph or Pease, right on northbound streets to Walker, left on Walker to HCP
Exit at Houston Ave/Memorial, right on Memorial/Rusk to HCP and TDP

FROM I-10 W (Katy Freeway)
Exit Milam, right on Capitol to TDP
Exit Milam, right on Walker to HCP
Take I-45 south, exit Dallas, Dallas becomes Bagby, right on Dallas, left on Louisiana, left on Capitol to TDP
Take I-45 south, exit Dallas, Dallas becomes Bagby, right on Dallas, left on Louisiana, left on Walker to HCP

FROM US-59 N (Eastex Freeway)
Exit Jackson, right on Congress, left on Milam, right on Capitol to TDP
Exit Jackson, right on Congress, left on Milam, right on Walker to HCP
Exit I-45 north, exit Dallas, Dallas becomes Bagby, right on Dallas, left on Louisiana, left on Capitol to TDP
Exit I-45 north, exit Dallas, Dallas becomes Bagby, right on Dallas, left on Louisiana, left on Walker to HCP

FROM US-59 S (Southwest Freeway)
Exit Spur 527 to Louisiana, left on Capitol to TDP
Exit Spur 527 to Louisiana, left on Walker to HCP

FROM TX-288 S
Exit Polk, left on Polk, right on Louisiana, left on Capitol to TDP
Exit Polk, left on Polk, right on Louisiana, left on Walker to HCP

When: 4-10 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Eleanor Tinsley Park at Buffalo Bayou
Tickets: $8, free for children ages 5 and younger; freedomovertexas.org

More July 4th information
Patriotism on a plate
Brews and bourbon bus tour
Fireworks around town
Best burgers around town