June 24, 2009
Bands to entertain at Stars and Stripes concert, fireworks
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Lafayette Citizens Band will be among the highlights of the annual Stars and Stripes concert and fireworks display at Purdue University's Slayter Center of Performing Arts on July 4.The Purdue Summer Jazz Band will kick off the concert at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m., the Lafayette Citizens Band, under the direction of William D. Kisinger, takes over along with the Greater Lafayette Freedom Singers, a community chorus directed by Eric Van Cleave.
Twana Harris, conductor of the Black Voices of Inspiration at Purdue, will perform "God Bless America" as a soloist with the Freedom Singers. Vocalist Dustin Hopkins will solo on "The Summer Wind" with the Lafayette Citizens Band.
Other patriotic tunes at the concert will include "America the Beautiful," "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Armed Forces Salute," "The Stars and Stripes Forever," and "Our America."
The Tippecanoe Fife and Drum Corps will take the stage around 9 p.m. while the Lafayette Citizens Band takes a short break. The band will resume playing around 9:15 p.m.
The band will finish with Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," and fireworks will begin about 10 p.m.
The university has created a best travel routes and parking guide to advise visitors on the safest and most efficient routes and parking areas for 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 follow McCormick Road to State Street. Stadium Avenue will be closed from McCormick Road to Russell Street.
Parking will be available at the Northwestern and University parking garages, Ross-Ade Stadium and Intramural Playing Fields. 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-accessible parking are available off of North Martin Jischke Drive. VIP tickets are available for $20 at Lafayette Bank & Trust (all locations), Regions Bank (all locations), Lafayette City Hall Clerk’s Office, West Lafayette Mayor's Office, and Pay Less Super Markets at 65 Beck Lane, 2200 Greenbush, 2513 Maple Point Drive, and 1032 Sagamore Parkway W. VIP parking lots open at 5 p.m., and passes will be honored until 8 p.m.
Pets, personal fireworks, smoking and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. An information booth will be located on the south side of Slayter Center for lost children and other event information.
To help eliminate traffic congestion on Indiana 26 in Lafayette and West Lafayette following the fireworks, vehicles may be redirected and officers may be in the street directing traffic, said Purdue police Lt. Kevin Booker.Writer: Valerie O'Brien, 765-494-9573, vobrien@purdue.edu
Sources: Gary Evans, director of grounds, 765-494-3087, gkevans@purdue
Lt. Kevin Booker, Purdue University Police Department, 765-494-8221, klbooker@purdue.edu
Lisa Decker, Stars and Stripes planning committee, 765-423-6565, lisa.decker@ssfhs.org
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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