WELCOME FROM CHANCELLOR JOHN SHARP
You are invited to the 4th Annual Drive-in Fireworks and Drones Show at the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus.
The Texas A&M University System and our sponsors are delighted to bring this annual event to our community. WTAW (FM 94.5/AM 1620) has again volunteered to broadcast patriotic music synced to the fireworks and drones show provided by the Chancellor’s Century Council and our other sponsors.
KBTX also will televise the event on its CW 8 channel for those who cannot attend. You can also find it on KBTX’s Facebook page or app.
While this Fourth of July Celebration began during the pandemic, it continues today because this community deserves the biggest and best show around.
This is an opportunity for our community to witness the dramatic transformation at our A&M-RELLIS campus, which is fast becoming a critical component in our nation’s defense, a research hub for future technologies and an extension of 11 universities and Blinn College.
More important, the Fourth of July is a time for all of us to celebrate our nation’s independence and reflect on the blessings of living in this great land.
God Bless America!
— John Sharp
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will the event be livestreamed?
Yes, you can view a livestream of the event in the following locations:
- KBTX Website – www.kbtx.com/livestream2
- KBTX Facebook – www.facebook.com/kbtxmedia/
When is the 4th of July Fireworks and Drones Show at RELLIS?
Tuesday, July 4, 2023. The parking areas will open at 6:30 p.m., and the 30-minute fireworks and drones show will begin at 9:00 p.m. Please note that no entry will be permitted once the show begins.
Will there be activities for the public prior to the fireworks and drones show?
There will be a Corn Hole tournament beginning at 4 p.m. Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. for those wishing to watch the tournament. The Corn Hole tournament will be organized and directed by Kuhn’s Custom Corn Hole Boards/Events. Questions about participating in the tournament can be directed to Jamey Kuhn at j.akuhn@hotmail.com or 903.268.1654.
Is there an entrance fee? Is this a family friendly event?
The fireworks and drones show is a free family friendly community event, open to all residents of the Brazos Valley and surrounding areas. Households are encouraged to come and enjoy the show from their cars. With the exception of purchasing food from the food trucks, we kindly ask that all patrons and their children remain at or in their personal vehicles while attending the event.
Where is the 4th of July Fireworks and Drones Show at RELLIS ? And how do I get there?
The fireworks and drones show is being hosted on the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus, located at 3100 TX-47, Bryan, Texas. Directions are available and hyperlinked below.
Will there be buses running to the fireworks and drones show?
No, there will not be buses running to the RELLIS campus. This event is a drive-in fireworks and drones show and all guests are asked to remain with their personal vehicles.
Where can I park to watch the show?
Parking for this event will be available in designated areas that can be found on the event map available and hyperlinked below.
Traffic control personnel will direct guests where to park. Parking on roadway shoulders is not permitted to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently.
Will there be road closures?
To ensure everyone’s safety before, during and after the RELLIS Fireworks show on July 4, two ramps are closed at the SH 47 and SH 21 intersection.
- Starting at 5 PM, the eastbound SH 21 to southbound SH 47 will close to allow traffic to enter and exit the RELLIS campus safely. This ramp will remain closed until traffic has cleared out of campus following the show (estimated 11:30 PM).
- At 7 PM, the flyover ramp from northbound SH 47 to westbound SH 21 will close. All traffic must exit SH 47 using the eastbound SH 21 ramp and turn right. Drivers wanting to go west on SH 21 can make a U-turn at the next median opening. This ramp will open at the end of the fireworks show.
- Additionally, drivers are reminded that parking along the shoulders of SH 21 and SH 47 is not permitted for your and other’s safety.
Is there music for this event?
Music that complements the fireworks and drones show can be found on the local radio station, WTAW, at 94.5 FM/1620 AM.
Is seating available? Can we bring lawn chairs and sit in the grassy areas?
The show is a drive-in fireworks and drones show and all guests are encouraged to stay with their vehicles. Lawn chairs can be set up close to guests’ personal vehicles.
Are dogs and other pets allowed?
For the safety of your animals and other guests, dogs and other pets are not allowed at the 4th of July Fireworks and Drones Show at RELLIS. Service animals are permitted.
Will there be food and drinks available? Are coolers allowed?
Food trucks will be available at 4:00 p.m. for the corn hole tournament and from 6:30-8:45 p.m. for all parking areas. All food trucks will close PROMPTLY at 8:45 p.m., or when they run out of food, whichever comes first. No food can be purchased after 8:45 p.m. to ensure guests can get back to their vehicles by the start of the show. This year we have doubled the number of food trucks. Food trucks will be stationed at, or near, each designated parking lot. Guests need to enjoy the food trucks in their parking area to ensure the safety of all guests. Guests are allowed to bring coolers, however, all beverages and snacks should remain inside or near your personal vehicle. We ask that guests take home any trash they might bring with them or dispose of it in the provided trash receptacles.
Will any of the buildings on campus be open?
No. All buildings on the RELLIS campus will be closed to the public during this event.
Will there be public bathrooms available?
Yes, portable bathrooms and trailers will be available in selected parking lots on campus. Hand washing stations will also be available at each portable bathroom location. A restroom with ADA accessibility will be located at each of the main parking areas.
What if it rains? Will the fireworks and drones show be rescheduled?
The fireworks and drones show will not be rescheduled.
Will there be cellular service?
There is limited cellular coverage on the RELLIS campus.
Can I leave the parking area and come back?
You can exit the parking areas at any time, but no re-entry will be permitted once the show begins.
If you need to return to the area, re-entry will be permitted after 11:30 p.m.
What if we need to leave the show early?
Drive safely as you exit the parking areas. Please note that you will only be allowed to complete right turns at both exits and reentry will not be permitted.
Can we bring our own sparklers?
It is strictly prohibited for a guests to bring fireworks of any kind, including sparklers.
Who do I call if there is an emergency? Is there a medical tent?
Police, parking security, and EMS will be available throughout the event. If you are experiencing an emergency, you should call 911 from any cell phone. First responders will be dispatched to your location.
Who do I contact about a lost item?
To see if your item has been recovered, email TAMUS Safety and Security at cwallitsch@tamus.edu.
What is RELLIS?
Texas A&M-RELLIS promotes cutting-edge research, technology development, workforce training and degree programs by tapping into The Texas A&M University System’s assets; including state agencies and university partners, along with academic, corporate and government collaborators. As a 2300 acre nationally recognized research and testing location only eight miles from the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, Texas, the RELLIS campus provides the environment where the world’s most complex problems are solved. A&M-RELLIS is an innovative ecosystem bringing together applied research, testing and evaluation, higher education, and workforce development – providing solutions that meet organizational needs.
SPONSORS
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Contact: Laylan Copelin
Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications
(979) 458-6425
(512) 289-2782 cell
lcopelin@tamus.edu