'Uncle Sam Jam' to feature live symphony, radio broadcast

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The city’s annual Fourth of July celebration will feature a 22-minute fireworks display choreographed to a live concert by Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra.

Mayor Chris Beutler and representatives from the symphony, the Lincoln Jaycees and B107.3/Broadcast House announced plans for  “Uncle Sam Jam 2007” at Oak Lake Park at 10 p.m. on July 4.

The symphony also will present a free pre-fireworks concert starting at 9:22 p.m. The show will air live on radio stations B107.3 FM and KLIN 1400AM beginning at about 9 p.m.

Broadcast House’s two other Lincoln stations, 105.3 LINC-FM and Froggy 98, will join the broadcast for the 10 p.m. performance that will be choreographed to the fireworks.

The city will collaborate on the event with the Jaycees, the orchestra, Broadcast House, Pepsi-Cola and the Lincoln Journal Star.

Pepsi-Cola is the fireworks sponsor, and Zambelli Internationale will present the display. Symphony performances are sponsored by TierOne Charitable Foundation and Sampson Construction Company Inc., with support from BNSF Railway, Nebraska Lottery, Nelnet and Donna W. Woods.

Uncle Sam Jam kicks off the symphony’s 81st season.

“We estimate that last year we reached more than 30,000 people, both in the park itself and through the live radio broadcast,” said Barbara Zach, executive director for Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra. “We are expecting record attendance this year, and ... it is our dream that this grows into an annual Lincoln Independence Day tradition, one worthy of drawing crowds from throughout the Midwest region.”

LSO Music Director Ed Polochick has selected a program that includes patriotic favorites as well as the symphony’s rendition of “There is No Place Like Nebraska.”

StarTran will provide free shuttle bus service from 5 to 11 p.m. between the main entrance at Oak Lake Park and the Haymarket Parking Garage at Ninth and Q streets and the Gold’s bus stop at 11th and O streets. Haymarket Garage and the Iron Horse parking lot at Seventh and Q streets are offering a special $2 event fee. Handi-Van service is available for eligible individuals; reservations can be made by calling 441-7109.

Food and concessions will be available at Oak Lake Park from noon to 10 p.m.

Fireworks other than those used in the Zambelli show are prohibited in the park. Alcohol also is prohibited. All pets are required to be on leashes, and people are discouraged from bringing pets to the park during the fireworks display.

In case of inclement weather, fireworks, the symphony show and radio coverage will be rescheduled to 10 p.m. July 5. 

More information on the day’s events is available at lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: 4th). For event registration information, contact the Lincoln Jaycees at 434-8900.

Information on Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra is available at www.lincolnsymphony.com or by calling 476-2211.