Chattanooga Symphony & Opera’s annual Pops on the River outdoor concert is a red, white and true-blue community celebration of Independence Day with rousing Sousa marches, Armed Forces salutes, military flyovers and a booming fireworks finale.
This year’s concert on Saturday, July 4, in Coolidge Park heightens that patriotism with a special tribute to military veterans by featuring veterans performing in a singer/songwriter showcase and in rock band Ironglide from Nashville.
If you go
What: Pops on the River featuring Chattanooga Symphony & Opera When: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, July 4 Where: Coolidge Park, 150 River St. Admission: Free Phone: 423-267-8583
Pops on the River schedule
5 p.m. Ironglide (all-veterans rock band) 5:40 p.m. Operation Song 6 p.m. Mitchell Rossell Band 8 p.m. CSO concert 9:45 p.m. Fireworks finale
Although the CSO doesn’t tune up until 8 p.m., folks begin arriving in Coolidge Park toting picnic baskets, blankets and chairs long before that. So the veterans salute will start at 5 p.m. with all-veteran hard-rock band Ironglide providing entertainment for the early crowd.
Following the band’s set, a group of veterans who are songwriters participating in the music therapy program Operation Song will take the stage, along with Grammy-winning songwriter Bob Regan. About 6 p.m., local country singer Mitch Rossell and his band will perform in honor of veterans.
After an introduction by Mayor Andy Berke, the CSO will begin its performance. Carla Pritchard with Chattanooga Presents says the symphony’s program will include an Armed Forces salute, the “Raiders’ March” from “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” toe-tapping marches by John Philip Sousa and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” before the show goes out with a bang during the fireworks finale.
The event company also emphasizes that the concert will take place on the actual Fourth of July holiday this year. “Some years, it is on July 3,” says Ann Ball in a news release.
Jacob Harrison will be the concert’s guest conductor. Baritone Brett Hyberger will be the featured soloist.
The fireworks display, shot from neighboring Renaissance Park, will begin around 9:45 p.m.
A variety of food, beer and nonalcoholic drink concessions will be available, sales of which support the event financially. Eateries ringing the park also will have food available.
Star-Spangled Supper
Enjoy the CSO’s music from the comfort of the air-conditioned lobby of the Chattanooga Theatre Centre at the theater’s Star-Spangled Supper fundraiser on Saturday, July 4.
Dinner will be served from 5:30-7:30 p.m. – barbecue plates for adults, hot dogs and chips for the kids – with two drink tickets included for the price of $50 ages 13 and up, $10 children 12 and younger. Bring a folding chair if you want to listen to the music on the theater’s riverfront lawn, and you’ll have a front-row seat for the fireworks finale.
Coolidge Park will close to automotive traffic at 4:30 p.m. that day. However, CTC spokeswoman Jan Belk says Star-Spangled Supper guests will receive a parking pass allowing them into Coolidge Park’s lots when they purchase their dinner tickets in advance.
The party will be held rain or shine. Purchase tickets online at www.theatrecentre.com.
Where to park
Coolidge Park will close to vehicles at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Concertgoers can catch a free shuttle running from the Republic parking lots (formerly known as the Unum lots) between Fourth and Fifth streets from 6 to 11 p.m. The lots are pay-to-park.
Shuttle pickup and drop-off sites on the North Shore will be near Chattanooga Theatre Centre at the intersection of Tremont and River streets.