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City of Lincoln Mayor's Office 2009 Media Releases |
Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler said the City is ready to welcome visitors from throughout the region coming to town for the long Independence Day weekend which includes:
"Lincoln is the place to spend your Independence Day weekend and we look forward to welcoming our guests from throughout the state and region," said Mayor Beutler. "We hope people have an enjoyable, safe holiday weekend full of patriotism and fun for the whole family. We hope our guests will have the time to enjoy all that Lincoln has to offer with a variety of dining, shopping and entertainment options." For the fourth consecutive year, the Uncle Sam Jam celebration will include a free performance by Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra (LSO) beginning at 9:15 p.m. At 10 p.m., the 22-minute fireworks show will be choreographed to the live patriotic music from LSO. The Mayor thanked the City's partners in the celebration, including LSO, the Lincoln Journal Star and the Broadcast House/NRG Media radio stations. The concert will be aired live exclusively on radio stations B107.3 FM, KLIN 1400AM and 105.3 WOW FM beginning at 9 p.m. At 10 p.m., Froggy 98.1 FM will join the broadcast. Pepsi-Cola is the sponsor for the fireworks, presented again by Zambelli Internationale. The Uncle Sam Jam concerts kick-off LSO's 83rd season. "We are so grateful to the City for its support of this event," said Barbara Zach, LSO Executive Director. "The positive response from previous Uncle Sam Jam concerts has led us to dream even bigger about this year's performance. Last year, we reached an estimated 30,000 people in the park and through the live broadcasts. It is our hope that having the event on the Friday night preceding July 4 will allow people to kick off their holiday weekend in style." Zach said LSO enjoys strong support from the community. The Symphony performance is sponsored in part by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Nebraska, BNSF Foundation, Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Nebraska, Lincoln Parks Foundation, the Nebraska Lottery and Nelnet. (Click here for the LSO repertoire.) "It's an absolute honor for the Broadcast House radio stations to team with the City and the Symphony once again for Uncle Sam Jam," said Steve Albertsen, Operations Manager for NRG Media/Broadcast House of Lincoln. "To have the ability to entertain everyone gathered in the park, and to showcase the incredible talents of the Symphony to our radio listeners right here in Lincoln and a wide surrounding area - that makes the evening special for everyone." The City Recreation Division of the Parks and Rec Department will team-up with the Lincoln Jaycees to provide family activities and kids games for park patrons. Among the attractions will be an inflatable slide, obstacle course and bounce house provided by All-Star Amusements. The Ashanti Band will perform from 5:30 to 7 p.m. (A complete schedule is here.) The Larry the Cable Guy show begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4 at Memorial Stadium and will include fireworks. Also scheduled is a weekend home series for the Lincoln Saltdogs at Haymarket Park against the Wichita Wingnuts. First pitch for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday games is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., 6:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. respectively, with fireworks displays planned after the games on Saturday and Sunday. At the July 3 game, LSO Maestro Edward Polochick is scheduled to throw out the first pitch. In case of inclement weather, Friday's LSO's concert, the radio broadcasts and the fireworks display will be rescheduled to Sunday, July 5. No other Uncle Sam Jam events will be rescheduled. The rain date for the Saturday show also is Sunday, July 5. Helpful Web sites:
Uncle Sam Jam, July 3
Special $3 event parking is available beginning at 4 p.m. at these garages:
Handi-Van service is available for eligible individuals, and reservations can be made through the normal procedure by calling StarTran at 441-7109. Special $4 pre-paid event parking can be purchased through lincoln.ne.gov and parkitdowntown.org for these garages:
Online, pre-paid parking will be honored on Sunday, July 5 if the Saturday night Larry the Cable Guy show is rained out. On-street meter parking will be free of charge on Saturday, July 5. The City will offer $5 parking on the day of the show Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. at the following garages and lots:
The Lincoln Police Department (LPD) will have increased enforcement efforts in and around the downtown and Haymarket areas focusing on illegal tailgating and liquor violations. LPD also recommends that fans arrive at the stadium by 6 p.m. to avoid traffic congestion. |
Mayor's Office Media Releases