(Press Release)

Waco, Texas (July 1, 2008) – More than 15,000 people will come to downtown Waco on July 4 for the City of Waco’s Fourth on the Brazos celebration at Indian Spring Park.

The park will open at 5 p.m. and live music will begin at 6 p.m. A patriotic ceremony will take place at approximately 10 p.m. and will be followed by the H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza. The fireworks will be visible throughout downtown Waco.

Waco Transit will run a free shuttle between the Ferrell Center and Heritage Square from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Downtown streets around the event will close at 7 p.m.; however, parking is available throughout downtown. No parking is allowed on street medians.

This year’s live music will include classic blues and will end with patriotic favorites (scroll down for performance schedule).

The patriotic ceremony will feature the Young Marines, Mayor Virginia DuPuy and the National Anthem performed by the winner of Star 92.9 FM’s “Waco Idol” contest. Star 92.9 FM will broadcast the anthem, along with the patriotic music during the fireworks.

Other attractions include a food court, inflatable games and a kids’ arts area.

Coolers, blankets and chairs are allowed in the park. Tents, pets, glass bottles, grills, and fireworks of any kind are not allowed.

The rainout date for the fireworks show is Saturday, July 5.

INFORMATION
City of Waco Parks and Recreation: 254-750-5980
Brazos Nights Web Site
City Of Waco Web Site

EVENT OVERVIEW
The annual Fourth on the Brazos celebration will take from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Indian Spring Park in downtown Waco.
The City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department organizes the event each year.
Admission is free to Fourth on the Brazos.
Live music begins at 6 p.m.
Along with music, the event features a variety of food and drink concessions. Attendees can also enjoy activities like walking along the riverwalk and downtown bridges. Sponsor and vendor exhibits are also located in the park.
Kids can enjoy inflatable games or design art projects at the Waco Cultural Arts Fest’s craft tent.
Star 92.9 FM will broadcast the Waco Community Band’s performance during the fireworks show.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Main Stage

6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m Elephants (Local jazz/funk/blues ensemble)

7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Diunna Greenleaf (Award-winning blues vocalist)

8:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. James Cotton (Blues Hall of Famer, harmonica legend)

9:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Patriotic Ceremony

9:45 p.m. to 10:20 p.m. Waco Community Band (Patriotic favorites)

Amphitheater Stage
6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Star 92.9 and 1660 ESPN music and live remote

H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza

10 p.m. to 10:20 p.m. Zambelli Fireworks Internationale

H-E-B FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA

The H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza will begin at approximately 10 p.m.
The show, which is visible throughout downtown, is one of the largest pyrotechnic displays in Central Texas.
Zambelli Fireworks Internationale, one of the world’s most famous fireworks companies, will produce the show. ‘
Fireworks viewing areas include Indian Spring Park, Heritage Square, MLK Park, Bledsoe-Miller Park, Franklin Street Bridge, Washington Street Bridge, park areas along both sides of the river, downtown parking lots and open fields.
Boat traffic will be restricted during the event due to the fallout zone

PATRIOTIC CEREMONY

Patriotic Ceremony will take place at 9:30 p.m. on the main stage.
The ceremony will include a presentation of flags by the Young Marines and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Virginia DuPuy
The winner of Star 92.9 FM’s “Waco Idol” contest will perform the National Anthem.

STREET CLOSURES

Streets in the downtown area will close at approximately 7 p.m. Intersections will be patrolled by Waco Police Department
Streets will reopen following the fireworks show.

The following streets will be closed for the event
University Parks Drive from Jackson to Bosque
Franklin Avenue from 3rd Street to MLK
Washington Street from 4th to MLK
3rd Street from Franklin Avenue to Washington Avenue (access for Hilton Hotel guests ONLY)
Austin Avenue from 3rd Street to 4th Street (Waco Transit Shuttle ONLY)
Jefferson from 4th Street to University Parks Drive
MLK from IH-35 to Bering
Taylor from MLK to railroad tracks
Elm from MLK to Trice

PARKING

Parking is available throughout Downtown Waco and in East Waco.

Public parking is available at the following locations:
City Hall (Franklin Ave. and 3rd)
River Square Center (3rd and Franklin)
Heritage Square (4th and Washington Ave.)
Alico Building (4th and Washington)
County Records Building (4th and Washington)
Courthouse Parking (5th and Washington)
Courthouse Annex Parking (7th and Washington)
Grass lots (University Parks and Webster)
Brazos Belle Parking (I-35 and Riverwalk)
Lots along MLK and Waco Drive Bridge
Public parking areas along Elm Street
Public lots (along Franklin Avenue)
Additional parking along streets is also available.
No parking is allowed on street medians.
Handicap parking is available at Ben E. Keith Distribution and at the Convention Center (corner of 3rd and Washington).
Media vehicles may enter the event and park at University Parks and Franklin.

SHUTTLE SERVICE

Waco Transit will provide a free shuttle service from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The shuttle will transport people between the Ferrell Center and Heritage Square.

SECURITY/EMS/INFO BOOTH

A security command post will be next to the stage, inside of the convention center.
Approximately 75 officers from Waco PD, McLennan County Sheriff’s Office, Waco Park Rangers and area police departments will work the event.
Lost children should be taken to the security command post.
The City of Waco will have an information booth next to the stage.
EMS will also be headquartered at the corner of University Park and Franklin.

FOOD COURT

Food vendors will be located at the corners of Franklin/University Parks and Washington/University Parks. Foods such as barbecue, turkey legs, corndogs, nachos, hotdogs, funnel cakes and snow cones will be available.
Beer and wine will be available.
Dr Pepper booths will be located throughout the park.

KID’S ACTIVITIES

The Waco Cultural Arts Festival will sponsor a free arts and crafts area for kids next to the Suspension Bridge.
Inflatable games will be located next to the Suspension Bridge.

PERMITTED/PROHIBITED ITEMS

Permitted items include coolers, chairs, cameras, blankets and storage bags.
Prohibited items include pets, pop-up tents, large umbrellas, glass bottles, and grills.
No fireworks are allowed. Fireworks will be confiscated and tickets will be issued.

SPONSORS

Fourth on the Brazos is funded through community sponsorships.
This year’s sponsors include H-E-B, Dr Pepper, GENCO Federal Credit Union, State Farm, Star 92.9 FM, 1660 ESPN, La Ley 104.1 FM, American Income Life, Tymco, Atmos Energy, Cargill Foods, Courtyard by Marriott, City of Waco Water Utilities.