Being surrounded by more than 20,000 to 25,000 of your closest friends and neighbors on a hot summer night in July was a little like being at Disneyworld or as someone teased, “like being in a refugee camp.”
But last night’s Long Park Summer Music Series’ Annual Independence Day celebration was a “festival of community.” Perched over the hill, out of line of sight of the amphitheater with a perfect frame of treeline for the fireworks, is a great place to watch a slice of this wonderful amalgamation of a half-a-million plus people who call Lancaster County “home” … all kinds of people … from all kinds of different backgrounds … gathered for a common event: To enjoy the magnificence of this most honored of American holidays. To enjoy the company of each other. To revel in a picture-perfect summer evening in early July 2012!
The article in today’s Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era describes the evening like this:
“Long’s Park kicked off a week of Fourth of July celebrations Sunday evening with a performance featuring the 257th Army Band, former mayor Charlie Smithgall’s Cannon Brigade and a 20-minute-plus firework display.
“More than 20,000 people showed up for the 50th anniversary of the free event.
“‘The hill’s packed, there are people over the hill and there are people still in Park City,’ said Tim Ardinger, president of the Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation board.
A young girl enjoys a snack while waving a small flag at the annual Fourth of July concert Sunday night at Long’s Park. (Justin David Graybill /Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era Staff)
“’It’s a pretty neat thing to see,’ Ardinger said. ‘A lot of these people came here as children, and now they’re bringing their children.’
“Sue Albright has attended the Independence Day celebration for 30 years.
“‘Since 1982,’ Albright said.
“‘I remember we brought my middle daughter, she’s 30 now, when she was a baby,’ Albright said. ‘We had to take her home because she was afraid of the fireworks.’
“Albright enjoyed the festivities on Sunday with her whole family, which includes a new generation of little kids.
“‘I love it,’ she said. ‘And we luck out with the weather every year. When I left home it was so hot, and now it’s gorgeous.’
Cannons fire during the performance of “The 1812 Overture” at the annual Fourth of July concert at Long’s Park. (Justin David Graybill / Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era Staff)
“The 257th Army Band, also known as the ‘Band of the Nation’s Capital,’ performed for the packed crowd as the sun set on a temperate summer night.
“The band played a variety of music, from Beatles cover songs to the famous “1812 Overture,” cannons included.
“‘It’s always amazing to be here and be a part of Lancaster’s celebration,’ said band commander Chief Warrant Officer Sheila Klotz.
“‘We love it here,’ Klotz said. ‘We’re here to make that connection between our military and the community. We want people to come out and feel good, and we’ll help you forget about gas prices and the economy.’”
To read this Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era article in its entirety, click here.
Tailgating for the fireworks. Lots of people avoided the bulk of the crowd by tailgating in Park City’s parking lot. Read this Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era article here.
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