Music, more music and 4,000 fireworks are on -- and above -- the stage for the 33rd annual July 4 Pops on the River celebration.
The free event, starting noon Monday in Little Rock's downtown River Market District, also features food trucks and children's entertainment, culminating in a performance by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and subsequent fireworks display. Presenter is the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The event this year benefits the March of Dimes.
The gates of the First Security Amphitheater in Riverfront Park, behind the River Market's Ottenheimer Market Hall, open and the entertainment starts at 5:30 p.m. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra concert starts at 8:30 p.m., under the direction of Music Director Philip Mann.
Rick Weaver of Batesville-based Air Magic Fireworks Inc. says his folks will set off a total of 4,000 fireworks from the Main Street Bridge over roughly 20 minutes. That includes a "water shot," which appears to be a dud, falls into the water, then reanimates and fires about five stories into the air.
The display will also sync with the concluding work on the symphony program.
"The 1812 Overture is when we start to shoot, if I'm not mistaken," Weaver says. "And what we set off during that initial moment is what shocks the audience."
The bridge will close to traffic at 1 p.m. and reopen at 11.
The festival places a strong emphasis on the military.
The orchestra concert will include an Armed Forces Salute (active and retired military will stand and receive recognition).
And, "We are giving all military members [active, reserved or retired] who check in with us at the event an event discount card that can be used at many of the food/drink vendors and marketplace merchants as a way of saying how much we appreciate what they do for us and our country," says Democrat-Gazette Marketing and Events Director Amanda Copley. There will be several giveaways for the first 100 military members to sign in, including free reserved seating, T-shirts and other items. (Check in with your military ID at the Military Appreciation Tent, next to the amphitheater.)
The Arkansas' Best Chevy Dealers Pavilion will showcase 20 cars, with industry representatives on hand. The Kids Pavilion, sponsored by Arkansas Children's Hospital, will have bounce houses, crafts, music, face painting and caricatures by Democrat-Gazette artist/cartoonist John Deering.
Additional attractions include a classic car show, a marketplace for shopping and a baker's dozen of food trucks. Finalists in radio station KHLR-FM, 106.7, "The Ride's" Oh Say! Can You Sing? patriotic song competition will square off in a final round ahead of the symphony concert. The winner receives $300 in cash and sings with the orchestra during the concert. (The second-place finisher wins $200; third place gets $100.)
The Big Dam Horns will precede the symphony on the amphitheater stage. Fireworks begin at about 9:20 or 9:30.
Seating is first-come, first-served; you can reserve amphitheater seating for $10 through the Pops on the River website, pops.arkansasonline.com, where you can find a complete schedule and more details. Festival goers planning to sit on the lawn should bring lawn chairs and blankets, but not pets, food, fireworks, drinks or coolers, which won't be permitted in the park.
Free parking, with free trolley service, is available at the Clinton Presidential Center, the U.S. Post Office at Capitol Avenue and Sherman Street, the Arkansas Arts Center at Ninth and Commerce streets, and the River Market.
Weekend on 06/30/2016