June 29, 2005
Purdue puts bang into Independence Day
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The annual July 4 Stars & Stripes concert and fireworks display will return for a second consecutive year to where it has been centered for generations–Purdue University's outdoor Slayter Center for the Performing Arts.
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Live music begins at 6 p.m. with the Purdue Summer Jazz Band. The Lafayette Symphony Orchestra takes over at 7:15 p.m. and plays through 9 p.m. when it will perform Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" accompanied by live-fire cannon blasts presented by the Indiana National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 139th Field Artillery. After a brief interlude, fireworks will follow about 9:15 p.m.
The concert will feature patriotic tunes from the Freedom Singers, a one-event-only teaming of 60 individual singers from throughout the community that in the past has drawn heavily from church choirs. Music will also be provided by the Overtones Gospel Quartet from Rossville, Ind. Purdue Musical Organizations director Brian Breed will serve once again as master of ceremonies.
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"I never cease to be amazed at how this concert continues to embody the spirit of this nation and community," Breed said. "Even for adults it can create a child-like anticipation."
A color guard consisting of officers from the Lafayette, West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County and Purdue University police departments will present the colors. The symphony also will back soloists Kelly Kirschman, Carla Scott and Rylie Robinson as they sing "God Bless the USA," "God Bless America" and "The Star-Spangled Banner," respectively.
This is the final year that Anne Harrigan, who will soon be leaving her position at the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, will conduct the symphony at the Stars & Stripes concert.
"This concert is the most highly anticipated one of our season," Harrigan said. "No other event has the power to draw together such a broad cross-section of the community. It's something to be truly proud of."
The university has created a best travel routes and parking guide to assist visitors safely and efficiently access the event.
Motorists coming from the north or east are advised to take U.S. 52 W. to Northwestern Avenue to Cherry Lane. From the south, take U.S. 231 to State Street and from the north and west use McCormick Road to State Street. Stadium Avenue will be closed from McCormick Road to Russell Street.
Parking will be available at the Northwestern, University and McCutcheon parking garages, Ross-Ade Stadium and Intramural Field. Surface lot and street parking also is available, except where otherwise posted. Parking is prohibited along McCormick Road and Cherry Lane and violators will be towed.
VIP and handicap parking are available off of North Intramural Drive. VIP tickets are available for $20 at Bank One (all locations), Lafayette Bank and Trust (all locations), Regions Bank (all locations), City News (422 Main St.), Village Bottle Shoppe (404 Sagamore Parkway, West Lafayette), Lafayette Savings Bank (Riehle Plaza), Wells Yeager Best Drug Stores (120 N. Third St. and Mar Jean Village) and Marsh Grocery (West Lafayette).
Purdue University police remind spectators that pets, fireworks and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. A police information booth will be located on the south side of Slayter Center for lost children and other event information.
Traffic leaving the event from the two north stadium parking lots will be directed eastbound to Northwestern Avenue. Traffic from the McCutcheon parking garage and surrounding area will be directed westbound to McCormick Road. Both lanes on McCormick Road will be utilized for northbound traffic only.
Purdue police ask drivers to be patient exiting campus and to exit campus at intersections with traffic lights where officers with hand-held electronic "pickles" will remotely control the signals.
"We definitely want them to get to main streets," said Lt. Kevin Booker. "That's where we'll push them out quickest."
Booker warns that the closer you park to the event, the longer your wait may be to exit the site. He also asks that drivers be aware that depending on traffic, exit routes may be changed and officers may be in the street directing traffic.
Writer: Jim Schenke, (765) 494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu
Sources: Martha May, senior director of buildings and grounds, (765) 494-0930, mamay@purdue.edu
Dick Jaeger, Stars & Stripes Committee member, (765) 477-7488, dickjaeg@msn.com
Anne Harrigan, (765) 412-7181, anne@anneharrigan.com
Brian Breed, (765) 494-3941, bdbreed@purdue.edu
Lt. Kevin Booker, Purdue University Police Department, (765) 494-8221, klbooker@purdue.edu
Mo Trout, Conductor, Purdue Jazz Band, (765) 494-9110, mttrout@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Related Web sites:
Purdue University Police Department
Purdue Physical Facilities News
GRAPHIC CAPTION
This map shows public parking areas and the best travel routes for those planning to attend Monday's (July 4) Stars & Stripes concert and fireworks display. (Purdue University Police Department graphic)
PHOTO CAPTION
The Lafayette Symphony Orchestra performs at a previous Stars & Stripes Fourth of July concert at Purdue's Slayter Center for the Performing Arts. (Purdue News Service file photo)
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