Contributed by Mark Hendrickson of the City of Kent
U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West soars into Kent
for Fourth of July Splash
June 22, 2012 – Celebrate America’s birthday with the United States Air Force’s Band of the Golden West Concert Band. The Band of the Golden West will perform at Kent’s 14th annual Fourth of July Splash at Lake Meridian Park, 14800 SE 272nd St., from 8 – 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4. Fireworks will light up the sky over Lake Meridian following the concert. Admission to the Splash is free.
From Travis Air Force Base, California, the Band of the Golden West is a select group of professional Airmen-musicians who support the global Air Force mission by providing outstanding musical products and services for official military, recruiting, and community relations events, and by fostering America’s rich national heritage. Touring the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Nevada, the Concert Band performs a wide variety of music from standard concert band literature and military marches to jazz and pop arrangements, Broadway standards, and of course, patriotic music. The Band of the Golden West has performed for thousands of listeners in live concert appearances and for millions worldwide via its numerous recordings and television and radio broadcasts.
In addition to the headline concert by the US Air Force Band of the Golden West, this year’s Splash includes live entertainment from local talent, as well as America’s Got Talent contestants, The BGP.
Stage Schedule
12 – 12:30 p.m. The Electronettes Hi-Steppers Drill Team
12:45 – 1:45 p.m. Allegro Dance Studio
2 – 2:30 p.m. Kent’s Got Talent Winners
2:45 – 3:30 p.m. Pie and Watermelon Eating Contests
3:45 – 4:30 p.m. Spotlight Dance Company
4:45 – 5:15 p.m. Destination Unknown (high energy music)
5:30 – 6 p.m. Endless Rhapsody (youth acoustic singer/songwriters)
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. The BGP
8:30 – 9:30 p.m. U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West Concert Band
10 p.m. Lake Meridian Fireworks Display
Fun family activities, including old-fashioned games, face painting, bubble bounces, and interactive computer activities, begin at noon and run through 5 p.m. A variety of food booths offer kettle corn, espresso, burgers, curly fries and more. Non-motorized boat races and the annual Lake Meridian Boat Parade take place on the water throughout the day.
Off-site parking and free shuttle bus service begins at 11:30 a.m. and continues to run approximately every 20 minutes to and from Lake Meridian. Follow event parking signs to Fire Station #75, 15635 SE 272nd St.; Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. SE and 132nd.
For more information on the Splash and other cultural events, please visit KentArts.com or call 253-856-5050. The Splash is presented by Kent Parks, Recreation and Community Services and the Kent Arts Commission.
