"Patriotic Pops" Concert To Headline July 4th Stars And Stripes
May 6, 2010 - NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
PORTLAND, ME - The four Portland-area businesses that earlier this month banded together to save the Portland fireworks after the annual tradition was threatened due to city budget cuts, the Portland Press Herald, Quirk Chevrolet, Wright Express and the Maine Red Claws, today announced the creation of a festival on the Eastern Promenade leading up to the fireworks display and a nonprofit organization to privately fund the event. Headlining the Stars and Stripes Spectacular will be a free concert by the Portland Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Robert Moody, with support from the Boston Musicians Association.
Moody was joined at the Eastern Promenade today by Portland City Mayor Nicholas M. Mavodones, Jr., Maine Red Claws President Jon Jennings, and President of Quirk Chevrolet Jack Quirk to provide details of the event, which was announced this morning in the Portland Press Herald. The Patriotic Pops concert will be sponsored in part by support from Unum, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Northern New England, PowerPay, Seacoast RV, MPBN, and the Boston Musicians Association. Also in attendance at today's event were Richard Connor, Publisher and Editor of MaineToday Media which owns the Portland Press Herald, a major supporter of both the fireworks and Patriotic Pops concert, and Susan Davis, Executive Director of the Narrow Gauge, also a supporter of the event.
The PSO concert, to be named the Patriotic Pops, will begin at 7:30 PM on Sunday, July 4 and run through the beginning of the fireworks display, slated to begin at approximately 9:15 PM. The concert will be broadcast live statewide by MPBN radio so that the thousands of people watching the fireworks from outlying areas and on boats in Casco Bay, as well as the crowd of more than 50,000 expected to gather on the Eastern Prom, can tune in to listen to the concert live.
"Two years ago I sat on a boat not far from the Eastern Prom and viewed the incredible fireworks display. At that moment I dreamed of a day when our Portland Symphony Orchestra would be part of that fantastic event," said Moody. "That becomes reality this July 4, and I couldn't be more excited!"
A limited number of tables of ten will be located in front the concert stage. Corporations or individuals interested in more information regarding purchasing the reserved seating should visit www.july4thportland.org. The tables will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be the only reserved seating available for the Patriotic Pops concert. Other details and events for the July 4th festival will be announced soon, including the addition of children's entertainment earlier in the evening and special guests.
JULY 4TH PORTLAND FOUNDATION TO BE ESTABLISHED TO FUND ANNUAL STARS AND STRIPES SPECTACULAR: Also announced at today's press conference, the development of a nonprofit organization to privately fund the Stars and Stripes Spectacular, including the annual fireworks display and newly created festival. The July 4th Portland Foundation will be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that will solicit donations to insure that Southern Maine's July 4th traditions continue for many years to come. The July 4th Portland Foundation will work in partnership with City of Portland in coordinating the event to insure that the fireworks and festival are conducted safely and for the full enjoyment of the 50,000 - 70,000 spectators expected to attend.
"By adding events like the Patriotic Pops concert, we hope Stars and Stripes Spectacular will become an annual tradition for Maine families for many years to come," said Maine Red Claws President and General Manager Jon Jennings, a founding partner of the Stars and Stripes Spectacular and July 4th Portland Foundation. "The four businesses who joined together to save the fireworks display this year - the Portland Press Herald, Quirk Chevrolet, Wright Express and the Maine Red Claws - have committed to a long-term partnership to provide people of Southern Maine with a spectacular annual fireworks display, and others have joined in to enable us to expand the event even further."
"We will be announcing additional events and attractions over the next few weeks and months, and we plan to make July 4th in Portland a wonderful event for young and old," added Jack Quirk, President of Quirk Chevrolet and also a founding partner of the Stars and Stripes Foundation. "An event of this size requires an incredible amount of support and a good partnership between the private sector and the city. We are looking forward to putting together a tremendous event this July and for years to come."
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & INFORMATION: A full schedule events will be posted on the July 4th Portland Foundation website, www.july4thportland.org. Individuals or businesses who wish to contribute to the event can donate online or mail a check payable to "City of Portland Fireworks" to July 4th Portland Foundation, PO Box 17831, Portland, ME 04112. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. Food and other vendors wishing to participate in the 2010 Stars and Stripes Spectacular should visit www.july4thportland.org for more information.
NBA G League Stories from May 6, 2010
- "Patriotic Pops" Concert To Headline July 4th Stars And Stripes - Maine Celtics
- Bob MacKinnon Steps Down As Head Coach - Idaho Stampede
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
