Stars and Stripes July 4 celebration coming to Slayter Hill; traffic restrictions, parking areas set
June 29, 2015
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University’s Slayter Center for the Performing Arts will be the Greater Lafayette community’s center of attention Saturday (July 4), as the annual Independence Day Stars & Stripes celebration returns to campus for the first time since 2009.
Organizers estimate 25,000 people will attend the event, which will include musical performances and close with the traditional fireworks show. Purdue’s safety and security team, with assistance from West Lafayette, Lafayette and Tippecanoe County agencies, have put traffic flow, parking and safety plans in place.
The event has been held the last five years at Riehle Plaza. However, due to construction there, it was moved back to Slayter this year.
“Although the show is typically downtown, we’re excited to return to campus,” Stars & Stripes co-chair Mike Piggott said. “We certainly appreciate all the help we’re getting from Purdue – its safety and security, physical facilities and grounds teams – to make it a particularly exciting evening.”
Beginning at 7 p.m., musical performances will lead up to the scheduled fireworks, at approximately 10-10:15 p.m. Performances include:
* 7 p.m. Purdue Summer Jazz Band.
* 7:45 p.m. Tippecanoe Ancient Fife and Drum Corps.
* 8 p.m. Lafayette Citizens Band.
* 9 p.m. Long Center All-Star Show Choir.
* 9:15 p.m. Lafayette Citizens Band concert.
* Fireworks display will close the evening.
Glass containers, pets, fireworks or any type of incendiary fireworks or explosive devices, including firearms, will not be allowed on site, said Purdue police chief John Cox. A first aid station, lost and found, and public information will be available at the Purdue police/fire mobile command center behind the Slayter stage, located near Stadium Avenue and Martin Jischke Drive.
The large-scale event will mean road closures throughout the afternoon and evening around the campus area, Cox said.
Road closures include:
* Third Street between MacArthur Drive and McCormick Road. Closed from 1 p.m. until an hour after the fireworks have ended.
* McCutcheon Drive at the McCutcheon Parking Garage. Closed from 1 p.m. until an hour after the fireworks have ended.
* Stadium Avenue between McCormick Road and David Ross Road. Closed from 7 p.m. until the conclusion of the fireworks.
* McCormick Road between Fairway Lane and State Street. Closed from 9 p.m. until after the conclusion of the fireworks.
* State Street between McCutcheon Road and Dexter Lane. Closed from 9 p.m. until an hour after the fireworks have ended.
“While the music doesn’t start until 7 p.m., a lot of people come out and picnic and claim their spots,” Cox said. “We will have plenty of officers directing traffic and helping people. We just ask that attendees be patient and respectful of others so that it is a fun and safe day for all.”
General parking locations to which motorists will be directed are:
* The France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center parking lot (P1). Police will try to fill that lot first.
* North Stadium lot (P2). Those who don’t want to stay for the concerts are encouraged to park here.
* Airport parking lot (P3). This is a primary parking area for those that are coming later just to view the fireworks.
The Nimitz Drive parking lot (P4) will be used in the event of inclement weather, which will prevent parking on the grass at the airport lot (P3), Cox said.
Cox said two handicapped parking locations also would be available. Those are:
* West Owen Hall parking lot. This is close to the concert area and fireworks viewing area.
* North Section of the McCutcheon Parking Garage. Fireworks viewing will be available on the garage’s top deck. An ADA accessible elevator is available in the garage.
Assisting the Purdue Police and Fire departments are Purdue’s Radiological and Environmental Management, Purdue’s Safety and Security, Purdue’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Planning, Purdue Physical Facilities, Buildings and Grounds, as well as the West Lafayette Police and Fire departments, Lafayette police, Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office, and members of Tippecanoe County Emergency Management.
Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Sources: Mike Piggott, 765 494-9386, mpiggott@purdue.edu
John Cox, 765-494-8221, jkcox@purdue.edu
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