Celebrate America with the Lima Pops

It seems as though we just had Memorial Day and now we have the Fourth of July knocking on our door!  This year’s Independence Day falls on a Thursday and it created a dilemma for scheduling a patriotic concert on our regular Friday evening concerts in Fountain Park.  We either go six days in advance or one day after.  Guess what? We are going to have the Lima Pops Orchestra this Friday night — the day after the Fourth. It just seemed like a better fit and will give everyone just one more reason to extend our Independence Day celebration into the weekend.

So, this Friday night, July 5, the Lima Pops Orchestra will perform a “Celebrate America!” concert in Fountain Park.  For this concert, I actually get to use first person because I will be viewing it from onstage.

Since being a performer on this particular concert, I can tell you exactly what kind of music you will hear.  I’ve been practicing it all week long!  As a matter of fact, my wife, two boys and probably even our dog, Dez can tell you what’s on the program.

I am excited about the concert.  I think it will be filled with delightful, entertaining and soul-stirring music.  The concert will feature not only the orchestra, but also two wonderful vocalists, Kirsten Osbun Manley and Kelsey Barrett. You will hear them sing Broadway ballads such as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” and “If I Loved You,” as well as some current jazz, inspirational, and songs from recent hit movies, including one my wife and I just saw three weeks ago in the theater.

Of course, the LPO (Lima Pops Orchestra) will perform stirring patriotic and Americana selections as well as marches, light classical, pop, and Broadway show tunes. The weather is supposed to cooperate and provide a beautiful night in the park. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets or better yet, support the Van Wert Band Parents as they serve food from the Rotary concession stand.  As you know, no one serves food better than band parents!  It all starts at 7 p.m. in Fountain Park this Friday night.

Other Holiday at Home activities will begin our Independence Day celebration on July 4.  An 11 a.m. parade will run down Main Street.  (I’ve even heard a rumor that the Van Wert Area Alumni Band will be returning to the parade route this Thursday.)  Other activities will be going on around town before and after the parade.  So, plan on celebrating the Fourth … and the Fifth in Van Wert.

The tickets have been flying out of the Niswonger box office since series sales were released last week. Grand Series, Select Series and Community Concert Series ticket sales have been very busy!  As expected, the big name artists like Kellie Pickler, Trace Adkins, and Michael W. Smith have been strong sellers, but sales have been consistently strong across the board.  There really is something for everyone this coming season at the Niswonger, and sales are showing that you agree!

Michael W. Smith single concert tickets will become available July 11 already.  That means you can purchase tickets just for his October 5 concert at the NPAC.  But remember, if you buy just two more concerts with him, you can save money and get better choice of seats on the other concerts.  Hmm…. something to really consider!  Remember, box office hours are 12-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday during the summer.

I hope you all have a safe and happy Fourth of July and I’ll see you from the stage on the Fifth of July with the Lima Pops Orchestra!  “…land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountain side, let freedom ring!”