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July 5 Release (LONG_July_5_Release.pdf) 248K

July 5 Calendar Listing (LONG_July_5_Cal_Lstg.pdf) 240K

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Long’s Park Summer Music Series to Close Independence Day Weekend July 5, 2009 with Army Band, Cannons and Fireworks.

LANCASTER, PA -- Fireworks, cannon blasts and patriotic music will culminate the Independence Day holiday weekend Sunday, July 5, 2009 at Long’s Park as The 257th Army Band and Charlie Smithgall’s cannon brigade return to the 47th annual Long’s Park Summer Music Series. The free evening of heartwarming, spirit-lifting family fun will begin at 7:30 pm.

The 257th Army Band traces its lineage to the legendary Corcoran Cadets of 1883, the very DC militia that inspired John Philip Sousa to compose his march of the same name. Now known as “The Band of the Nation’s Capital,” they had the recent distinction of performing as part of President Barack Obama’s inauguration. Their performance at the Southern States Inaugural Ball marked the first time in history that a National Guard band had ever been bestowed this honor.

At the Ball, The 257th Army Band performed the traditional ruffles and flourishes and Hail to the Chief to mark the entrance of the new President into the packed ballroom. They then performed Grammy-winning, blueswoman Etta James’ At Last as President and Mrs. Obama shared their first dance at the ball.

Chief Warrant Officer Sheila M. Klotz directs The 257th Army Band. She is the first female commander in the history of Army National Guard bands. Returning to Long’s Park as a featured soloist with the band will be Sgt. Vicki Golding, winner of the 2006 Military Idol competition.

The family-friendly Long’s Park patriotic concert regularly draws crowds in excess of 25,000 and is the largest community event of its kind. The evening will climax with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and a 17-cannon explosion by former Lancaster Mayor Charlie Smithgall and his “concussion percussion” team. At dusk a spectacular fireworks display will fill the sky under the watchful, artistic eye of Schaefer Pyrotechnics.

Lancaster Summer Arts Festival joins the Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation as founding cosponsor of the long-standing patriotic celebration.

The Long’s Park Summer Music Series is produced and underwritten by the Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation. Thanks to generous sponsors, private donors and proceeds of the Labor Day weekend Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival, admission and parking are free. Sponsors of the 2009 season are Lancaster General and Susquehanna Bank. Season media sponsors are WARM 103 and 96.1 WSOX.

Stevens & Lee and Griffin Financial Group are sponsoring the 2009 Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival.

Long’s Park concertgoers are invited to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs to the park. A selection of food purveyors will also be in the park, offering a complete meal’s worth of family foods and desserts. Long’s Park is an alcohol-free park.

Long’s Park is conveniently located at 1441 Harrisburg Pike in Lancaster, just off Route 30 across from Park City Center. All performances are held rain or shine, except in the case of dangerously inclement weather.

Additional information and links to musical previews of Long’s Park’s performers can be found at www.longspark.org or on Facebook. For details on corporate sponsorships of the Long’s Park Summer Music Series and to learn how to make individual and corporate contributions, contact the Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation at www.longspark.org