The Fourth of July is a time of pomp and pageantry, and one of the most essential ingredients is music. Our nation is the birthplace of jazz, blues, bluegrass, hip hop, and rock and roll – and there’s no better way to celebrate the American spirit than with its spectrum of homegrown musical styles. The Bristol Fourth of July Concert Series takes place in Independence Park and provides two solid weeks of euphonious entertainment, free of charge. Here is a complete calendar of the many acts, all the way through July 3.
88th Army Band: June 20, 7pm
Bad Zeppelin & Merchants of Cool: June 21, 6:30pm and 7:45pm
East Bay Jazz Orchestra and Reminisce
June 22, 6:30pm and 7:45pm
Colby James Band and Pat McGee Band: June 23, 6:30pm and 7:45pm
East Bay Summer Wind Ensemble: June 24, 6:30pm and 7:45pm
Trinity and Roomful of Blues: June 25, 6:30pm and 7:45pm
Kelley Lennon Band: June 26, 7pm
Rendition and Eight to the Bar: June 27, 6:30pm and 7:45pm
Eddie & The Exciters and Detroit Breakdown: June 28, 6:30pm and 7:45pm
Sirsy and Ronstadt Revue: June 29, 6:30pm and 7:45pm
The World Premier Band: June 30, 7pm
Emily Luther Band and Songs in the Attic: July 1, 6:30pm and 7:45pm
Airplay and Sambita: July 2, 6:30pm and 7:45pm
Changes in Latitudes: July 3, 7pm
1785: The year the Bristol Fourth of July Celebration was founded
20: Days that the Celebration lasts
2.5: Length of the parade route, in miles
52: Number of subcommittees (in the Bristol Fourth of July Committee)
5: Award categories for parade floats
13'6": Maximum height of a parade float
25: Maximum number of "walkers" accompanying each float
120: Number of volunteers on the Bristol Fourth of July Committee
200K: Estimated spectators
For 233 years, Bristol has celebrated the Fourth of July. Ever since Reverend Henry Wright founded the celebration in the late 18th century, Bristol has become an annual epicenter of national pride. Rev. Wright himself was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, which had ended only two years earlier. To compare, the Bristol Fourth of July Celebration is nearly four times as old as the state of Alaska.
As every resident knows, this diehard tradition is just one reason Bristol has been called “the most patriotic town in America.” All year long, tourists marvel at the red, white, and blue paint that divides traffic and the colonial architecture that graces the town center – just a glimpse into Bristol’s true colors that explode on Independence Day, when hundreds of thousands flock to local sidewalks to take in that legendary parade.
“We’ve got it down pat,” says Michele Martins, chairman of the parade, with a knowing chuckle. “Pretty much we’re duplicating what has worked in the past.”
The Bristol Fourth of July Celebration lasts three weeks, starting on Flag Day and ending with a spectacular fireworks show on the evening of July 3. In between, you can partake in concerts, competitions, ceremonies, and even the Fourth of July Ball. Here’s a sampler of the events you can cheer for this month.
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