WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — President France A. Córdova and first gentleman Chris Foster conducting “Hail Purdue” will be among the highlights of the annual Stars and Stripes concert and fireworks display at Purdue University’s Slayter Center of Performing Arts on July 4.
The Big Swing Band of Lafayette will kick off the concert at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m. the Lafayette Citizens Band, under the direction of William D. Kisinger, takes over along with the Greater Lafayette Freedom Singers, a community chorus directed by Eric VanCleave. Twana Harris, conductor of the Black Voices of Inspiration at Purdue, will perform “God Bless America” as a soloist with the Freedom Singers.
Other patriotic tunes at the concert will include “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless the USA,” “Armed Forces Salute,” “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
The Tippecanoe Fife and Drum Corps will take the stage around 9 p.m. while the Lafayette Citizens Band takes a short break. The band will resume playing around 9:15 p.m.
The band will finish with Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” and fireworks will begin about 10 p.m.
The Purdue Jazz Band, which has performed in the past several Stars and Stripes concerts, will not be in the event this year because of a recently concluded tour to Italy.
Due to various construction projects around campus, the university has created a guide for best travel routes and parking.
Motorists coming from the north or east are advised to take U.S. 52 W. to Northwestern Avenue to Cherry Lane. From the south, take U.S. 231 to State Street, and from the north and west follow McCormick Road to State Street. Stadium Avenue will be closed from McCormick Road to Russell Street.
Parking will be available at the Ross-Ade Stadium parking lots, Northwestern and University parking garages, and Intramural Field. Parking is prohibited along McCormick Road and Cherry Lane, and violators will be towed.
VIP and handicap-accessible parking locations are available off of North Intramural Drive.
VIP tickets are available for $20 at all locations of Chase Bank, Lafayette Bank & Trust, Lafayette Savings Bank and Regions Bank. Tickets also are available this year at Pay Less Super Markets, 65 Beck Lane, Lafayette; 2200 Greenbush, Lafayette; 2513 Maple Point Drive, Lafayette; and 1032 Sagamore Pkwy. W., West Lafayette.
Pets, personal fireworks and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. An information booth will be located on the south side of Slayter Center for lost children and other event information.
To help eliminate traffic congestion on Indiana 26 in Lafayette and West Lafayette following the fireworks, vehicles may be redirected, and officers may be in the street directing traffic, said Purdue police Lt. Kevin Booker.
