Jun 24, 2009
Red, White and Boom-Memorial Stadium Update
The US Airways Family Fun Festival Presented by Mecklenburg County Park and Rec, Benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank will be held at Memorial Stadium on Saturday July 4th beginning at 6:00pm. It will culminate with Red, White and Boom! 2009 presented by Lance bringing an evening of wholesome family fun to the nation’s birthday.
Everyone who comes is asked to bring non-perishable food to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank to help feed the hungry in our area. That donation qualifies you for a drawing for a list of prizes, including a $500 voucher to fly anywhere in the continental US on US Airways!
Sponsors and partners in the July 4th event, which includes the evening fireworks display over Uptown’s eastern sky, include Lance, US Airways, Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), Mecklenburg County Park and Rec, 96.9 The Kat WKKT, Lite 102.9 WLYT, CMPD and Charlotte Center City Partners.
“Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina is honored to be the non-profit partner for this year’s US Airways Family Fun Festival and Red, White and Boom 2009,” says Kay Carter, Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. “Community support is more important than ever this year as our region struggles with rising unemployment. This is a great opportunity to have a wonderful Fourth of July and help us feed our hungry neighbors.”
“We’re proud to sponsor a fun, uplifting evening that benefits the Second Harvest Food Bank, which is dedicated to meeting one of the most vital needs of the community,” says Chuck Allen, director, Corporate Affairs for US Airways. “More than 6,000 US Airways employees are based in Charlotte and we’re committed to helping the community thrive.”
The Family Fun Festival at Memorial Stadium is free, with live music as well as games for kids of all ages. Sweetbriar Jam, a young and talented bluegrass band will play from 6:30-7:30 p.m. as well as Band of Gold kicking off at 8:00 until 9:15 p.m. There will be stadium and grass seating to watch the fireworks blast off at 9:30 p.m. so get there early for a prime spot!
Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be on sale inside the stadium…no food or beverages may be brought in. You are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs to take advantage of the field for viewing. Parts of the stands that do not have a view of the fireworks will be blocked off, but most of the stands will be available for seating for optimum viewing.
The fireworks are being staged from the Central Piedmont Community College campus. Some streets around the campus will close at 8:00pm to accommodate the fallout zone, so expect traffic in that area to be heavy. Streets will reopen immediately following the show. Red, White and Boom! 2009 presented by Lance fireworks show will be approximately 20 minutes long. The show begins at 9:30pm (weather and fire department clearance permitting). The show will be synched to a music track that will be heard exclusively on 96.9 FM WKKT, The Kat and played live at all viewing venues.
The show can be viewed from a variety of locations around the city. If you are in the eastern part of the city and you can see the skyline, chances are, you can see the fireworks display.
There is parking adjacent to the Stadium and ample parking in Uptown Charlotte, but on-street parking will be not be allowed to avoid restricting traffic lanes as fireworks viewers drive in and out of the city. Parking is discouraged in any of the neighborhoods surrounding the areas, including Elizabeth, First, Third and Fourth Wards. Please use commercial lots or transit.
“We believe this year, more than ever, our community needs a free July 4th celebration and we are proud to bring this connection to Second Harvest Food Bank,” says Robert Krumbine, Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Center City Partners. “We are fortunate to have strong partnerships to make this community event possible.”
Throughout the year, Charlotte Center City Partners and Historic South End bring events and activities to the center of the city, including Art & Soul of South End, Blues Brews and BBQ, First Night Charlotte, the RBC Centura Street Party and the Center City Green Market.
Please visit our websites at CharlotteCenterCity.org, FindYourCenter.com or HistoricSouthEnd.com for event and general information.
Categories: Charlotte Center City Partners, Arts & Entertainment, Lifestyle
