THE 40TH ANNUAL FUN FOURTH FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FULL SCHEDULE

"The 40th annual Fun Fourth Festival will celebrate this milestone year by continuing the tradition of patriotic celebrations in Downtown Greensboro this Fourth of July.  The Festival will return to its roots in the Downtown Historic District and Hamburger Square Park.  More than 90,000 people are expected to enjoy this community event commemorating America’s freedom.

Highlights include the Freedom Run & Walk, the Kickoff Block Party, the Independence Day Parade and Street Festival.  The closing event is the News & Record Pops Concert and the Fun Fourth Fireworks Finale at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.  More than 100 businesses and the City of Greensboro help sponsor the events. More than 12,000 volunteer hours of assistance will be donated.

Festivities begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 28 with the Freedom Run in Downtown Greensboro.  Participants run or walk in honor of our dedicated military personnel & veterans. It includes the Fun Fourth 10K, a 2-mile Fun Run and Walk and the Tot Trot.  The scenic courses go through historic residential areas and Fisher Park. The event is open to all ages.

The Start/Finish Line and Award Ceremonies will be staged beside the Downtown Greensboro Marriott at 301 N. Greene St. Applications are available to download at www.funfourthfestival.org or participants may register at the race site between 6:30 – 7:30 a.m. on June 28.

The Festival week comes into full swing with the Fun 4th Festival Kickoff Block Party from 7-11 p.m. on Thursday, July 3 in Hamburger Square Park, 345 S. Elm St.  Gates will open at 6:30 p.m.  The evening’s musical entertainment will be beach music performed by Black & Blue Experience.  Admission is $5.  Free parking will be available in the Greene Street deck and area surface lots.

The Independence Day Parade at the Fun Fourth Festival will start at 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 4. The Parade will follow a new route this year and heralds a day full of free fun as it winds through Downtown Greensboro, beginning at N. Greene and Lindsay Streets, traveling south on Greene, west on Washington and disbanding north on Eugene. Former Governor John Motley Morehead, will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal.

The daylong Fun Fourth Street Festival begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Downtown historic district surrounding the Carolina Theatre. Festivities include four stages of live music, a variety of foods, arts and crafts exhibitors, children's activities, amusements and rides and heritage exhibits.  Like last year, beer will be available throughout the entire festival area.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Fun 4th Festival, a memory tent will be set up under the marquee of the Carolina Theatre.  Posters, t-shirts and photos from the last 39 festivals will be on display and guests are invited to share their favorite Fun 4th memories on the memory wall.

The music stages will have something for everyone - rock, urban, gospel, bluegrass, R&B and folk music - and will showcase both local talent and national acts.  Other musical favorites include the power pop trio of Big Bang Boom and cover group Street Feat Allstars.  On Greene Street, festival goers will be able to show off their musical talents at a karaoke stage.

Independence Day will end with an exciting event on Friday evening at White Oak Amphitheatre at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex with the News & Record Pops Concert and Fun Fourth Fireworks Finale. The gates will open at 5:30 p.m. for parking and tailgating and at 6:30 p.m. for seating in the Amphitheatre.

The News & Record Pops Concert featuring The Philharmonia of Greensboro will begin at 7:30 p.m.; the Fireworks Finale will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m.  All parking is free. 

Cushions and blankets may be used on the lawn seating in the Amphitheatre, but no personal chairs are allowed.  Lawn chairs are available to rent at $5 per chair just inside the amphitheatre entry gates.  Food and beverage vendors will be accessible in the amphitheatre and to those viewing from the parking lots. 

Other optimum viewing areas for the fireworks are lots along Patterson Avenue and High Point Road between the Coliseum and Florida Street and on Lee Street near UNCG.  Follow cancellation and weather delays via Twitter @Fun4thGSO.

For the safety and enjoyment of everyone, no pets, bicycles, skates, skateboards or coolers are allowed at any Fun Fourth Festival event, including the concert in the Amphitheatre.

Full schedule of events and musical groups at www.funfourthfestival.org

Festival schedule at a glance:

Saturday, June 28
Freedom Run & Walk
8 a.m.
Greensboro Marriott Downtown, 301 N. Greene St.
Fun Fourth 10K and 2-Mile Fun Run & Walk
Pre-registration and fees online: www.funfourthfestival.org
Children’s races at 9:15 a.m.; no registration required

Thursday, July 3
Fun 4th Festival Kickoff Block Party
7-11 p.m.
Hamburger Square Park, 345 S. Elm St.
Beach music by Black & Blue Experience
Admission: $5

Friday, July 4
Independence Day Parade at Fun Fourth Festival
9:30 a.m.
Parade route:  Begins at Greene & Lindsay Street, travels south on Greene, west on Washington, disbanding north on Eugene.

Friday, July 4
Fun Fourth Street Festival
Downtown Greensboro Historic District & Hamburger Square Park
10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Admission and parking free.

Friday, July 4
News & Record Pops Concert and Fun Fourth Fireworks Finale
White Oak Amphitheatre at Greensboro Coliseum
7:30-10 p.m.
Gates open for Parking & Tailgating at 5:30 p.m.
Gates open to seating in Amphitheatre at 6:30 p.m.
News & Record Pops Concert at 7:30 p.m.
Independence Day Ceremonies at 8:50 p.m.
Patriotic Music and Fireworks Finale at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting
-Admission and parking free; no pets, please.
-Tailgating allowed in parking lot only
-Blankets and cushions allowed on lawn seating in Amphitheatre
-No lawn chairs, outside food and beverages in White Oak Amphitheatre.
-Rain date Friday, July 5.
-Follow cancellation and weather delays via Twitter @Fun4thGSO


For more information about the Fun Fourth Festival, please visit www.funfourthfestival.org, www.facebook.com/Fun4thGSO, follow on Twitter @Fun4thGSO, or call 336.274.4595."
A Press Release

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