AUSTIN, TEXAS- Fulshear Friday Night in Fulshear has been named a finalist in the Best Promotional Event category for the 2008 Texas Downtown Association Presidents Awards Program.  Since 1998, the Awards Program has recognized more than 100 projects, events and people that make a difference in Texas downtowns.

The Best Promotional Event award recognizes excellence in creation and execution of downtown or commercial district promotional events, including festivals.  The other finalists for Best Promotional Event are Bastrop's 175^th Birthday Party and Sheep Spectacular in San Angelo.

Finalists will make a presentation at the Texas Downtown Revitalization Conference "Creating Partnerships for Downtown" in Temple on November 13^th.  Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala to be held that evening.

Judging for the awards took place on Friday, July 25^th in Austin.  The distinguished jury panel included the following representatives:  Scott Day, Urban Development Services, San Antonio; Carolyn Howard, Beaumont Main Street Program; Rich MacMath, HDR, Inc., Austin; and Stephen Sharpe, Texas Architect magazine, Austin.

The Texas Downtown Association is a statewide nonprofit organization comprised of more than 400 members involved in downtown revitalization projects.  By fostering development and revitalization, TDA strives to enhance the economic vitality of Texas downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts by providing resources, networking opportunities, education and advocacy.  For more information, visit www.texasdowntown.org.

FULSHEAR, TX - The Fulshear Friday Nights 4^th of July event hosted the 2^nd largest parade in Ft. Bend County.  The parade opened with the posting of the colors on horseback and was led by numerous state, county and city elected officials, followed by floats, golf carts, fire trucks, antique cars and horses.  Lil' Mister & Miss Firecracker and Miss Fulshear Friday Night were crowned.  A professional magician, dunking tank, snow cones, hot dogs, free games and prizes, and vendor booths surrounded the venue.  Music was provided by a blues band, whose members included a local mortgage company owner.  The event concluded with a professional firework extravaganza and a local youth singing patriotic background music.   Lawn chairs and quilts were filled with families enjoying food, fun and music.    The venue for this event was moved to a larger area which required new electric services and lighting to be installed.  Local business owners made donations towards the entertainment and provided services for the new venue setup.