Your Stars & Stripes music, fireworks planner
Happy 250th, everybody.
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YOUR STARS & STRIPES MUSIC, FIREWORKS PLANNER
The most important answer first on this Fourth and 250th anniversary of the United States: The fireworks over the Wabash River start at 10 p.m. from downtown Lafayette.
That caps the annual Stars and Stripes Celebration at and around Riehle Plaza, at Second and Main streets.
As Tim Brouk put it in this week’s Tim’s Picks: “The event has evolved into a community band extravaganza leading up to dusk and those brilliant explosions in the sky. For the big 250th, the Jefferson High School Jazz Combo and Alumni Band will kick things off before a set of salsa, bachata, merengue and cumbia music from Clave Caribe. The Lafayette Citizens Band, joined by The Freedom Singers, will then take the stage around 8 p.m. for two sets of patriotic musical fanfare.” Between Citizens Band sets, the Tippecanoe Ancient Fife and Drum Corps will play.
Here’s the schedule:
5 p.m.: Food trucks and family-friendly activities set up.
6 p.m.: Lafayette Jeff High School Alumni Jazz Combo
7 p.m.: Clave Caribe
8 p.m.: Lafayette Citizens Band and Freedom Singers
9 p.m.: Tippecanoe Ancient Fife and Drum Corps
9:15 p.m.: Lafayette Citizens Band and Freedom Singers
10 p.m.: Fireworks
Of note: The John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge, just off Riehle Plaza, is set for renovations later this summer and into the fall. But it will be open July Fourth for viewing the fireworks.
Traffic alert: Expect restrictions Saturday on the Harrison Bridge between Lafayette and West Lafayette to accommodate fireworks setup and displays. Eastbound traffic, including ramps and sidewalks, will be restricted from 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday. Westbound traffic will be restricted from 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday.
For more on the Fourth …
Ninth Street Hill’s Children’s Box Parade: The Historic Ninth Street Hill Neighborhood Association will renew its Children’s Box Parade, in what once was an annual tradition along South Ninth Street, just up from downtown. Children are invited to decorate a box they can wear or pull for a parade set to start at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4. Children who want to participate may gather at 10 a.m. at 904 State St. in Lafayette. The parade will march down Ninth Street Hill to the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette for a flag raising, followed by family activities, Fourth of July crafts and music. Participation is not limited to children who live in the Ninth Street Hill Neighborhood.
Bruce Barker and Band in Columbian Park: Piano man Bruce Barker and his band will play noon-3 p.m. Saturday at Columbian Park’s Memorial Island amphitheater as part of the city’s July Fourth events. Admission is free.
Where you’re catching fireworks: I’ve had a few people write in to ask where the best vantage point is to catch not only the Stars and Stripes display in downtown but also catch some in the distance. What’s your favorite spot? Comment below.
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