04:46 PM CDT on Tuesday, July 4, 2006

By Jeremy Desel / 11 News

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| 11 News Reporter, Carolyn Campbell speaks to the organizer

In the place where all eyes are supposed to be on the sky, eyes this year are focused lower.

KHOU-TV

Paula Craig is in charge of the charges for the fireworks at the Freedom Festival.

Houston’s skies were pretty impressive last year when they were all lit up by fireworks.

The creatorof the Freedom Festival fireworks promises this year’s Independence Day on the bayou is going to be even bigger and better.

In fact, it’s billed as the largest land-based fireworks display in the nation.

Paula Craig is the pyrotechnic mastermind who has helped light up Houston skies for several years.

While the final display is certainly spectacular, Craig said months of work goes into putting the show together.

“Our show designer actually designed this show. We bring in fireworks from all over world for this show,” Craig said.

This field of explosions is one of five. All together there are about 10,000 pounds of fireworks in this year’s show.

“It is what I love most about our business. It was developed historically as weaponry and we make art with it instead,” said Craig.

And just in case you’re worried about the weather forecast, don’t be because Craig said even rain can’t stop this show.

“We’re prepared for the rain. We put the cap on top of mortar tubes.  We’re ready to shoot,” she said.

When you look skyward Tuesday evening you’ll know a lot of effort went into making this year’s celebration so special.

Rain or shine, the festival starts at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday and runs until 10 p.m.

Los Lonely Boys are among the featured entertainers. They are scheduled to be on stage at 8:15 p.m. and play until about 9:30 p.m.

The biggest fireworks show in the state of Texas begins at 9:38 p.m. sharp.

Admission is $6 for adults and for kids 10 and under, it’s free.