Come celebrate our nation’s birthday on July 4

MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
Posted: Sunday, June 28, 2009 8:30 am

Our nation’s birthday is upon us and since the Fourth falls on a Saturday, the federal holiday will be observed on Friday, July 3. Since most of the county will have Friday off, drop by the Farmer’s Market in its new location at Lane Agri-Park on John Rice Boulevard. It’s the perfect place to find fresh tomatoes and other veggies for the Fourth of July family picnic.


MAP OF NEW CELEBRATION LOCATION AT SPORTS COM


The headliner of the Fourth of July weekend is the Celebration Under the Stars, which also moves to a new home this year.

After spending 11 years at MTSU, the Celebration will be held at McKnight Park next to the SportsCom at Memorial Boulevard and Dejarnette Lane. MTSU no longer has the space available as the intramural fields are the future site of the Student Union and a new education building, MTSU spokesman Tom Tozer said.

The Celebration Under the Stars fun will start earlier in the day this year. The SportsCom will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for a pool party, games and prizes at a cost of $2 for youth and seniors and $3 for adults.

Free, family friendly fun at the Celebration Under the Stars starts at 5 p.m. and fireworks will light up the sky at 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4th. From 5-8 p.m., there will be games and activities for the kids, including inflatables and face painting, MPRD spokesman Jeni Brinkman said.

“At 8 o’clock, following the presentation of colors and singing of the national anthem, the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra will present a program of traditional patriotic tunes and inspirational classics,” she added.
 
For safety purposes, organizers would like to remind everyone pets, alcoholic beverages, cooking grills and personal fireworks are not permitted on site. Families are encouraged to bring picnic baskets, lawn chairs and blankets for picnicking on the grass and concessions will be available. Parking is limited onsite, so MPRD requests families carpool to the event, Brinkman said.

“For parking, please enter at the entrances for McKnight Park off Dejarnette Lane,” she said. “The Dejarnette Lane exit will be available at all times and the Airport Road exit will be available once the area is cleared by Pyro Shows. Friends and families are encouraged to carpool to maximize the parking available.”
 
For more Fireworks Smyrna has a celebration of its own planned for the holiday.

On Friday, July 3, Smyrna will hold the Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks Show at the Lee Victory Recreation Park at 102 East Sam Ridley Parkway. There will be activities in the park starting at 5 p.m. prior to the Fireworks Show that will begin at 9 p.m. Due to safety issues, Sam Ridley Parkway will be closed at Fitzhugh Boulevard, Nolan Drive, Threet Industrial Road and west of Nolan Drive on Friday while the fireworks are being shot.
 
Nashville will also “Let Freedom Sing” at a fireworks show Saturday at Riverfront Park. The music starts at 2 p.m. with performances by Frankie Ballard, The Grascals, MTA's "Transit," Lee Roy Parnell and more.

The Main Stage concert will kick off at 7 p.m. with the Fisk Jubilee Singers and the Nashville Symphony performing the National Anthem, followed by a special patriotic salute by Mayor Karl Dean, Barry Scott and the Nashville Symphony. Performances by The Gabe Dixon Band and Wynonna will continue through the night. The grand finale includes a fireworks display synchronized with a performance by the Nashville Symphony.
 
A Central Celebration Before the fireworks, some other events will brighten the holiday weekend. Friday night Main Street Murfreesboro presents Friday Night Live, a family friendly concert on the Public Square. The Crusty Veterans will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. Central High School classes of 1969, 1970 and 1971 sponsor the band, as part of A Central Celebration.

A Central Celebration consists of several community-wide events meant to serve as a reunion for the last high school classes to walk the halls of Central, which is now a middle school. Celebration activities will get under way Friday night with a mixer at The Blue Rooster on the east side of the Square, beginning at 5 p.m.

Events will continue Saturday with a barbecue on the campus of Central Middle School from 1-5 p.m. Class exhibits, a DJ playing music of the era and school tours are also planned for the afternoon, organizers said. The barbecue is intended for members of the classes of 1968, 1969 and 1970, but it also is open to guests from other Central classes. Cost is $20 per person. More information about A Central Celebration is available at www.tecomm.com/CelebrateCentral.html. Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.