NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
2007 AMERICAN MUSICFEST FEATURES NEARLY 200 HOURS OF FREE LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT OVER 5 DAYS; GALA HOLIDAY FIREWORKS SET FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 4,Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that the City of Harrisburg’s 2007 American MusicFest Independence Weekend Celebration promises to be the most incredible music oriented event of the summer, with five days of free live musical, theatrical, children’s and creative performances on six stages throughout Riverfront Park, as well as Harrisburg Senators baseball games, martial arts and volleyball tournaments on City Island, festival amusements, foods, international crafts and fireworks displays. All are invited and attendance at the festival and all events are free. The Mayor noted that the American MusicFest is the largest Fourth of July commemoration in Central Pennsylvania and takes place from Saturday, June 30 through Wednesday, July 4th. It will be three full days and five nights of music, food and fun. The American MusicFest includes over 190 hours of continuous entertainment presented by over 130 classical and popular musicians, singers, dancers, songwriters, drummers and storytellers six different stages and four themed activity and performance areas, with dozens of food vendors, exhibits and other attractions all available in Riverfront Park. The MusicFest has been expanded this year to five days, to accommodate the Independence Holiday’s midweek date. The weekend’ festivities on City Island involve The Battle of Harrisburg Karate Tournament, set for Saturday, June 30, beginning at 9:00 a.m.; the Harrisburg Volleyball Tournament, set for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 4; and the Harrisburg Senators versus the Connecticut Defenders game at 5:05 p.m. All of City Island’s other vendors, rides and attractions will be open throughout the extended Holiday Weekend. Reed said the city’s gala fireworks display, which traditionally ends the Festival, has been set for 9:05 p.m. onWednesday, July 4th. Portions of City Island will be closed to the public to make room for the extensive fireworks show. A smaller display, being launched in conjunction with the Harrisburg Symphony’s performance of the 1812 Overture, will be held on Saturday, June 30, sometime around 9:00 p.m. The Mayor said returning performance areas include the headlining Comcast Star Stage, the Belco Children’s Village Stage, the Coca Cola Community Stage, the Patriot News Market Street Stage, the International Bazaar and World Stage, and the Caribbean Cove Stage. Highlighted artists include The Harrisburg Symphony; Jazz stars “The David Bach Consort”; original rockers “Days of Difference”; Country and Gospel singer “Jim Worthing”; Reggae artists “DKBG” and “Third Eye Reggae”; Latin star “Tito Puente, Jr.”.; “Dr. K’s Motown Revue”; “Bunch of Funk”; soul singer “Charles Lee”; American Idol finalist and Country Music artist “Carmen Rasmussen”, who is opening for Country star “Mark Wills”; local rock favorites “The Jellybricks”; patriotic tunes from the 307th U.S. Army Reserve Band; and Jazz stars “The Element”, along with many other groups and performers. In addition musical, dance and spoken word performances, the festival features 40 food and refreshment vendors conveniently located in three main food court areas, and the popular Belco Children’s Village, where games, activities, puppet, musical and other theatrical performances take place. Reed said the extended Festival hours are: Saturday, June 30 – Noon to 10:00 p.m.; Sunday, July 1 – Noon to 10:00 p.m.; Monday, July 2 – 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Tuesday, July 3 – 6 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; and Wednesday, July 4 – Noon to 10:00 p.m. The Festival will be held rain or shine. All performances are open to the public with festival-style ground seating, available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The public encouraged to bring their own folding chairs and blankets to enjoy the shows. Motorists are advised that temporary street closures will be in effect throughout the Festival’s expanded daily schedule. North Front Street from Forster south to Walnut Street will close to all vehicular traffic beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, June 29, and will remain closed until 7:00 a.m. on Monday, July 2. Two lanes of the highway will remain open throughout the workday on both Monday and Tuesday, July 2 and 3, closing again at 5:30 p.m. each evening for the Festival. Front Street will then remain closed until 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 5. The Mayor said parking on City Island and in some downtown garages will be offered at nominal prices, with plenty of free on-street parking available throughout the downtown area on the weekend and Holiday. Normal rates and parking policies will be in effect for all parking areas however during the workdays of Monday and Tuesday. Reed said the American MusicFest is planned, produced and sponsored by The City of Harrisburg with the generous support of dozens of co-sponsors. Providing support this are AAA Specialty Contractors, Advanced Communications, BELCO Community Credit Union, Bath Fitters, Big Brothers Big Sisters, BlueGreen Resorts, Capital Blue Cross, Citadel Radio Stations 105.7 The X, Mix 106.7, and Red 102.3; Citizens Bank, Coca Cola, Comcast, Dreamscape Mobile, FastSigns, WPMT Fox 43, Geico, Harrisburg Hilton and Towers, Idearc Media, M&T Bank, Marriott Vacation Club, Members 1st Credit Union, Owens Corning Basement Finishing System, The Patriot News, Renewal by Anderson, Scots Grille, Sundance Vacations, Vacation Village and W&L Distributors. For a complete listing of American MusicFest performances and times, please call the City Department of Parks and Recreation at (717) 255.3020, or visit the official city events website at www.harrisburgevents.com |
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