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Make some noise

From country stars to a ‘Company’ man, Frederick’s 4th offers something for everyone

Thursday, June 29, 2006

With big-name free entertainment gracing the stages and fireworks that should last a bit longer, this year’s 23rd annual Independence Day celebration will offer a louder bang than previous years.

More than 15 local and national bands and singers will appear on five separate stages throughout the daylong celebration at the city’s Baker Park. This year’s 4th of July celebration should offer entertainment that appeals to everyone, said organizer Jen Martin, marketing and special events coordinator with the City of Frederick.

The children’s tent area will also offer more activities this year for kids of all ages, including a dunk tank, petting zoo, pony rides, Survivor Jr. obstacle course and interactive video game tournament, as well as others.

Nonprofit group Celebrate Frederick and local radio station 106.9 The Eagle teamed up to get rock legend Brian Howe, former lead singer of Bad Company, who will take the Main Stage at 3:30 p.m. and play familiar songs such as ‘‘Ready for Love,” ‘‘Bad Company,” and ‘‘Can’t Get Enough”.

According to Howe’s website, he has been touring for several years playing the best of Bad Company’s songs. Great Train Robbery, a band that has been on stage with rock legends like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Charlie Daniels and The Allman Brothers, will open for Howe at 1 p.m.

Over on the Country Stage, country music newcomer Jamie O’Neal will show off her talents at 7 p.m. with songs like ‘‘When I Think about Angels” and ‘‘There is No Arizona,” two pieces that became number one hits recently. O’Neal, from Nashville, will also sing songs off of her new album ‘‘Brave” that was released in 2005.

Local singer Dean Crawford will open for O’Neal at 4 p.m.

Local entertainment on the other stages is also diverse and includes some teenage punk rock bands, acoustic guitar and patriotic groups.

John Slezak’s group The Spires Brass Band has entertained audiences at Frederick’s 4th for the past 10 years.

‘‘We look forward to it each year,” he said of his 32-member band that will play both patriotic and popular tunes at the band shell.

The Spires Brass Band will play at 8:15 p.m. right before the fireworks go off and will end their set with the 1812 Overture, as in years past.

Slezak started the group in 1993 when he retired from his position as band director at Frederick High School because there was no band in the Frederick area. Since then it is has grown and the band now travels throughout the area to impress audiences.

The eight-member Frederick Dixieland Band will also perform at the band shell at 7:15 p.m.

‘‘It’s a big event and it’s fun to give the audience a lot of jump music,” said band member James Bowes who plays the string bass.

This will be the third time the Dixieland Band will perform during the Independence Day celebration. They plan on peppering the crowd with favorites like ‘‘Yankee Doodle Dandy,” ‘‘When the Saints Go Marching In” and the medley ‘‘America the Beautiful”.

Martin is hoping to get an even larger crowd than last year’s 50,000 people.

‘‘The day is centered around family fun. We want people to come with their kids and have something to do all day long,” Martin said.

Most of the events, which start with an opening ceremony at noon, are free. Vendors will be set up with food and drinks, but families are free to bring picnics.

Other events included in the day are a chili cook-off with the winner being awarded a $600 Weber Genesis grill, a pie eating contest for adults, a volleyball tournament, rock climbing wall, swimming throughout the day at the Edward P. Thomas Jr. Municipal Pool and canoes and paddle boats on Culler Lake.

The fireworks, which start around 9:15 p.m., will also be bigger this year.

‘‘We always try to add a little bit and make it more exciting than the previous year,” Martin said.

New this year will also be free shuttle service to the celebration by Frederick County Transit from two locations. The shuttles will run every half hour from the Thomas Johnson High School parking lot and the Harry Grove Stadium parking lot.

For more information, including a complete schedule of events, visit http:⁄⁄www.celebratefrederick.com or call 301-694-2489.

Activities Schedule

Noon – Opening Ceremony, Bandshell. Activities include a Presentation of Colors by the Frederick Police Department; The Star-Spangled Banner performed by Jennifer Bennett; Pledge of Allegiance led by Miss Frederick, Tauri Summers; Festival welcome by Mayor William J. Holtzinger; and patriotic selections by Frederick Catoctones Barbershop Chorus.ÊÊ

Carillon Area

12:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Citigroup Kid’s Zone. Children’s activities and amusements including Turbo Tubs, Tree House slide, Patriotic Module 5-in-1, Survivor Jr. obstacle course, carousel, train ride, misting arch, two moon bounces, crafts, clowns, pony rides and a petting zoo, dunk tank, remote control cars, interactive video game tournament, martial arts demonstration, and the peanut butter and jelly tent.

Fleming Avenue

8:30 a.m. – Chili Cook-off begins. Judging at 2:30 p.m.

12:30 – 8 p.m. – Swimming at Edward P. Thomas Jr. Municipal Pool

1:30 p.m. – Pie eating contest.Ê Must be 18 years or older.

Culler Lake Area

7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Volleyball tournament. Visit FREDERICKvbc.org for more details

Noon – 10 p.m. – Canoes, paddle boats and Kiwi kayaks on Culler Lake

Noon–Dusk – Rock Climbing

Summerjam Stage

Noon–6:45 p.m. – Gladiator Joust

Evening Activities

5:15 p.m. - Best Patriotic Dressed Competition. Meet at the Bandshell at 5 pm.

6:15 – 9:15 p.m. – Music in the Bandshell

9:15 p.m. (approx.) – Fireworks 9:45 p.m. (approx.) – Carillon concert

Main Stage

Presented by Celebrate Frederick and 106.9 The Eagle

1 p.m. – Great Train Robbery

3:30 p.m. – Bad Company former lead singer Brian Howe

Country Stage

Presented by Free Country 99.9 WFRE

1:30 p.m. – The Cabalero Band

4 p.m. – Dean Crawford

7 p.m. – Jamie O’Neal

Summerjam Stage

12 p.m. – Acoustic Block featuring Casey Crowe, Dane Galloway, Adrienne Smith & Matt Thompson

2 p.m. — Critical State, Metal

3 p.m. — The Venkmans, SKA

4 p.m. — Dreams in Fear, Metal

5 p.m. — The Lost Tourists, Pop⁄Punk

6 p.m. — Acedia – Rock⁄Industrial⁄Psychedelic

Bandshell

6:15 p.m. – Star Spangled Big Band

7:15 p.m – Frederick Dixieland Band

8:15 p.m. – Spires Brass Band

FREE shuttles

Thomas Johnson High School parking lot to the corner of Bentz and Second Streets.ÊLeaving every half hour beginning at 11a.m. The last shuttle to the school will leave Baker Park at 10:30 p.m. A second bus will follow the Thomas Johnson route beginning at 6 p.m. and making its final run from Baker Park at 10:45 p.m.

Harry Grove Stadium parking lot to the corner of Bentz and Second Streets.Ê Leaving every half hour beginning at 11 a.m. with the last shuttle back to the stadium leaving Baker Park at 10:30 p.m.

For information: 301-694-CITY (2489), www.CelebrateFrederick.com.ÊÊÊ