Party night

Aggieland prepares for Independence Day 2008

By: Kristen Dwyer

Posted: 7/3/08

The College Station's Lions Club will be scheduling their legendary Fourth of July Celebration at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday.
According to the library's website, this is the ninth year the Library is hosting the event, entitled "I Love America."

Dennis Corrington, the chairman for the celebration, said the library wanted to make the effort to become more involved with the community this year, a goal that was realized by including three library staff members on his committee.

Corrington said the celebration has been hosted by different venues, including Olsen Field, but typically resides at the library, an ideal location because of available space.

"There is a lot more room for the kids' games," Corrington explained. "The additional space allows for more people to come and enjoy the celebration, and the area itself is a great place to watch a fireworks display."

Romona Stites, a Lions Club member who organized the children's activities, said there will be several moon bounces and a giant inflatable slide for the children to play on.

"We also have a few 'skill' games for children that would give them the chance to win a small prize," Stites said. "These games
will include a ball toss, a 'plinko' game, and a 'fishing' game, where a fishing line with a clothes pin is tossed over a screen with a painted seascape, and they can attempt to catch a small prize."

The live entertainment will start at 5:30 p.m. Local singer Kathy Ross will be performing on the Main Stage and singing the National Anthem. Jason Adams, an Elvis impersonator who has performed in the past, is returning to entertain again this year. The Texas Unlimited Band, who have played in the past and offer a wide range of musical styles and pieces, will also perform. The Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra will begin their set around 8:45 p.m.

However, Corrington said that the annual Aggie Fly-over won't be happening, due to repairs being made on the runway where the planes usually take off from.

The fireworks display will begin at 9:40 p.m., with the Grand Finale scheduled for 10 p.m. Corrington is confident that the show will live up to the high standard set in the past.

"It is one of the best I have seen, and I have seen quite a few," Corrington said. "It is about 20 minutes long, so there will be a lot of different fireworks and designs. The Lions Club worked with a great deal of sponsors, and the community, to make the show as exciting as possible."

There will be many grassy areas for people to set up their chairs and blankets, where they can watch the fireworks at the Library, and attendees are welcome to bring coolers in with them, which can be carried on to the shuttles.

The excessively hot, dry weather conditions of the past few weeks are contributing to the last minute regulations that the staff will be implenting, which according to Corrington, includes limiting the small bonfires that often prove popular throughout the crowds.

"This year, no fires will not be allowed," Corrington explained. "The area has been so dry recently, it would simply present too many additional hazards and complications."

Concession stands will open at 5 p.m., selling roasted corn, sausages, soda and water.

"It will be a good, cheap dinner for college students," said Corrington. "The roasted corn is great. I ate two or three ears last year when I was cooking them."

The stands will be located in parking lot 41 in between the Library and Museum. Nonprofit groups will be setting up booths in the lot as well, where they'll have the opportunity to discuss the aim of their organizations, and advertise chances for community involvement.

The Museum will be free of charge all day, with extended hours from 9:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.

According to the Museum's website, actors posing as popular historical characters will be mingling with the audience, answering questions and acting out well known aspects of their famed personas.

Parking will be available at Reed Arena and West Campus Parking Garage with shuttle buses bringing people to the Library. The shuttles will start running at 4:30 p.m. and continue after the fireworks display is complete. Handicapped parking will be available in Lot 41 by the Library.