PRESS RELEASE CONTACT:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JASON SILVA, CHIEF OF STAFF
June 23, 2010 978-745-9595, EXT. 5603
Salem Celebrates the 4th
Mayor Kimberley Driscoll is pleased to announce that there will be full afternoon and evening of exciting entertainment and events at Salem's 4th of July celebration at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site on Derby Wharf. This family event has proven to be one of Salem's signature events, drawing crowds numbering 40,000 to 50,000 people.
This $60,000 Independence Day celebration is totally privately funded. Salem's residential and business community has come together to ensure that this first-class event continues even in this difficult financial climate.
Mayor Driscoll stated, "I am truly grateful that Salem's residents and business community continue to generously support this annual event. I’d like to express a special thank you to Walmart, who stepped up to the plate this year to be our new lead sponsor along with Dominion Salem Harbor Station, as well as Salem Five, Tache Real Estate, Market Basket, Eastern Bank and, another new sponsor, Tavern in the Square. Without their generosity, this event would not be possible."
Christopher N. Buchanan, Senior Manager of Public Affairs & Government Relations at Walmart stated, “Walmart is pleased to support this great community event.~ We are committed to providing these wonderful opportunities that bring families together and provide free activities and entertainment that enhance the quality of life in the communities our employees live and work.”
N. Malia Griffin, Dominion Community Affairs Spokesperson stated, "Dominion Salem Harbor Station and its employees believe in giving back to our community and actively support the City of Salem’s 'Celebrate the 4th' Event. We’re proud to play a major role in ensuring this wonderful family event is enjoyed by all who attend."
The pre-concert festivities at Derby Wharf will begin at 4:00 p.m. with the opening of Kids' Space, where DJ Doug Parker keeps the youngsters entertained with dancing, games, contests and prizes. Children can get their faces painted, play games and do some arts & crafts free from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. provided by Walmart, The Salem YMCA, The Gathering, and The MeetingHouse Church. The Mix 104.1 Ice Cream Truck, Rita's Ice and Riceworks will be on site during the afternoon distributing free product samples. Food tents open at 4:00 p.m., with plenty of hot dogs, French fries, fried dough, kettle corn and much more. So come down early and pick your spot on the lawn to enjoy the day.
Beginning at 5:00 p.m., appearing in front of main stage will be Britannica, a Salem based band that performs in local entertainment hot spots throughout the North Shore.
Mayor Kimberley Driscoll will lead the opening ceremonies, which begin at 7:15 p.m., accompanied by the Salem Veterans Color Guard Unit and Salem Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. The City is working with Congressman John Tierney and the United States Air National Guard to coordinate a military flyover during the event.
The crowd will then be entertained with a two-hour “Pops” concert performed by the 40-piece Hillyer Festival Orchestra (HFO). The HFO has become a widely acclaimed Pops orchestra in the greater Boston area. Dr. Dirk Hillyer, the orchestra's conductor, always creates a program that is sure to please all ages. Main stage will not only be filled with music, but a compilation of very talented sopranos will grace the stage this year, including: Kathryn Flynn, Anna C. Lawrence, Kathryn O'Connell and Robyn Higgins. Also highlighted for a moving performance is the extremely accomplished lyric-dramatic tenor Daniel Kamalic, whose credits include performances with the Connecticut Lyric Opera, the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and Opera Boston.
Kathryn Flynn is a North Shore native (Peabody/Salem), and will perform the National Anthem and a selection from 'Carousel'. Ms. Flynn, now based out of New York, has toured nationally and internationally, commented, "I am very excited about performing in Salem's July 4th concert. In my career, I have had the opportunity to perform all around the world, but have not had the chance to come home to perform for quite some time, so this will be extremely special."
Ms. Lawrence, born and raised in Boston, is working towards her Masters degree at Manhattan School of Music, and has performed in a myriad of operas as well as benefit concerts and Veterans Day memorial services all over Massachusetts. She has performed under the direction of John Williams, Stephen Osgood, Hal France, and Laurent Pillot.
During intermission we have a special treat. Members of the Salem State College Summer Theatre cast of 'Into the Woods' will perform. Summer Theatre is the professional arm of the Salem State College Theatre Department and the cast is a fantastic group of talented actors that perform in front of sold-out crowds during the summer.
To end our evening, at 9:15 p.m. the award-winning Atlas PyroVision Productions will shoot a spectacular fireworks display right above our heads from Derby Wharf with live accompaniment by the Hillyer Festival Orchestra.
Part of the allure of this celebration is its setting. The first National Historic Site in the National Park System, Salem Maritime National Historic Site consists of nine acres of waterfront land and houses a dozen historic structures, including, the Custom House, where famed author Nathaniel Hawthorne worked; and, Derby Wharf, which was used by America's first millionaire Elias Hasket Derby, who made his fortune from this port of call. Looking out at historic Salem harbor with hundreds of boats moored and the replica of a 1700's sailing vessel, the Friendship, serving as a backdrop, Independence Day is truly felt as you are surrounded by the history that helped us to become an independent nation.
July 4th is the perfect day to spend in historic Salem. Start off bright and early at Salem Common for the reading of the Declaration of Independence, spend the rest of the morning and afternoon visiting our historic sites and attractions, dine at one of our many restaurants and then wander down to Derby Wharf for a spectacular concert and fireworks extravaganza.
For more information check www.salem.com or call Salem City Hall at 978-745-9595, ext. 5676.
 For information regarding our mobility impaired/wheelchair seating section, please call 978-745-9595, ext. 5676.
SALEM CELEBRATES THE 4TH SPONSORS
WALMART
DOMINION SALEM HARBOR STATION
Salem Five Tache Real Estate
Eastern Bank Market Basket Tavern in the Square
KV Associates
Atlas PyroVision Claire & Jim Bailey CDM Charing Cross Realty
D & R Contracting Digital Imaging Kelley & Ryan Associates
Kennedy Development National Park Service Newport Construction
Northside Carting Pickering Wharf Realty Red's Sandwich Shop
Shetland Properties Terry Hanley Audio Thai Place
Woodard & Curran
BETA Group Beverly Co-op Bank Danversbank Fay, Spofford & Torndike, Inc.
Fiesta Shows High Rock Equities Fund Lotus Gifts Murphy's Restaurant & Pub
Peabody Essex Museum RCG Ronan, Segal & Harrington Salem Trolley
Salem Witch Museum Serafini, Serafini, Darling & Correnti
Weston & Sampson Services, Inc.
Carpenters Union Local #26 Crosby's Marketplace DJ Doug Parker The Gathering
The MeetingHouse Church New England Civil Engineering Pickering Wharf Merchants Assoc.
Pumel Enterprises St. Jean's Credit Union The Salem Inn Salem YMCA
Tinti, Quinn, Grover & Frey The Trolley Depot Unibank Witch Dungeon Museum
The City of Salem – Kimberley Driscoll, Mayor
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