Date:

June 19, 2003

For More Information Contact:

Dave Norris, Citizen Information Center, 441-7547

Jerry Shorney, Parks and Recreation, 441-8259

Lisa Lewis, Lincoln Jaycees, 499-4918

Mayor Coleen Seng invites everyone in the Lincoln area to the City’s annual Fourth of July celebration at Oak Lake Park. Due to the ongoing Holmes Lake Restoration Project, this will be the first year that the celebration will be not be held at Holmes Lake Park since 1968.

“The national and international events of the last few years have led to a renewed sense of patriotism, and this is a wonderful opportunity to show our pride in our City, State and Nation,” said Mayor Seng. “We’re pleased to again be partnering with the Lincoln Jaycees to make this year’s event at Oak Lake Park a great family activity.”

As part of the celebration, the Lincoln Saltdogs will host the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks in a Northern League baseball game at 6:05 at Haymarket Park. Musician Paul Phillips will entertain inside Haymarket Park prior to the game from 4 to 6 p.m. and from the conclusion of the game to the start of the spectacular fireworks display at 10 p.m.

Crowds and traffic congestion are expected, so those attending are encouraged to be patient and drive courteously. Adjustments have been made to accommodate increased traffic in the area:

• StarTran will provide free public shuttle bus service from noon to 11 p.m. between University of Nebraska lots 8 and 9 and the main entrance at Oak Lake Park. Handi-Van service is also available for eligible individuals, and reservations should be made through StarTran at 441-7109.
• Three public parking lots will be available at the celebration site. The parking lot north of Charleston and west of Sun Valley is reserved for handicapped parking only. After 3 p.m., only those with tickets to the Saltdogs game can use the Haymarket Park lot.
• The public and private lots in the Haymarket area will be open at normal fees, and those parking there can use the pedestrian bridge to the celebration area.
• Charleston Street will be closed from 1st Street to Sun Valley Boulevard from Thursday afternoon through Saturday evening.
• The road closure gates at 6th and Charleston streets, 6th and “X” streets and 6th and Vine streets will close about 90 minutes prior to the start of the baseball ball game. Only the gate at 6th and Charleston will reopen after the ball game.
• Traffic flow restrictions after the fireworks will be used to keep vehicles moving out of the area.

A Kids Carnival, provided by Rainbow Amusements, will be an added attraction this year. The Kids Carnival will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, July 4, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 5. It will be located in the north portion of the main parking lot at Oak Lake Park.

Pepsi-Cola is the major sponsor for this year’s celebration with WalMart also helping to fund the the fireworks. Zambelli Internationale will again present the fireworks display at 10 p.m., with the accompanying musical soundtrack to be broadcast on KTGL-FM, 92.9 the Eagle. The Eagle is the official radio station for the Fourth of July celebration, and the station will broadcast live during the celebration at Oak Lake Park.

A variety of food and concessions will be available during the day. The Lincoln Jaycees will operate an information booth near the main Oak Lake Park entrance, and the Red Cross will have first aid available.

Other events include:

• A 5K fun run/walk at 7:30 a.m. at Haymarket Park. Participants may register on site at 7 a.m.
• A pancake feed from 7 a.m. to noon.
• The Capitol City Stage from 2 to 8 p.m. will feature local performers and winners of the Stars & Stripes Talent Search. (The Talent Search competition is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Antelope Park Band Shell.)
• An ice cream social from 2 to 8 p.m.
• The Hobby Town 4th of July Trophy Race with remote control cars from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• A classic car show from noon to 4 p.m.
• A dunking booth from 2 to 6 p.m.
• The Kickers’ Cup Free Youth Soccer Competition from 3 to 4 p.m.
• the Star City BMX Racers Exhibition Race at 5 p.m.

Maps, information on parking and traffic, and details on the celebration can be found on the City web site at www.lincoln.ne.gov.

For event registration information, contact the Lincoln Jaycees at 434-8900 or through e-mail at

Fireworks other than those used in the Zambelli show are prohibited in the park. Alcohol is also prohibited. All pets are required to wear a leash while in the park. Citizens are discouraged from bringing pets to the park during the fireworks display.

In case of bad weather, the fireworks display will occur on July 5 at Oak Lake Park. No other events would be rescheduled to the 5th.