Garland, Texas – April 1, 2008 -- The City of Garland and Firewheel Town Center are teaming up to host the 2008 Star Spangled Fourth festival.
Garland’s annual Independence Day celebration will take place on July 4 from 10 a.m. until midnight at Firewheel Town Center, located on State Highway 78 at State Highway 190. The theme for 2008 is “We the People Celebrate!” This year’s Main Stage will feature the legendary Kool and the Gang.
“We are excited to host this wonderful event,” says Jamal Porter, General Manager of Firewheel Town Center. “This year we’re adding more activities, street performers and other events throughout the mall property to create a full day of family fun.”
One important change is that entertainment in the concert area will begin at approximately 2 p.m. and will feature a wide range of local and regional bands. This year’s fireworks display will light up the skies at 9:30 p.m. and will be bigger and better than ever. Kool and the Gang will take the stage at approximately 10 p.m., performing such smash hits as Celebration, Ladies Night and Jungle Boogie. Kool and the Gang’s sound has influenced three generations of musicians and fans and sold more then 70 million albums worldwide.
The full-day event will also include a children’s stage, bounce houses, balloon artists along with other games and activities for kids of all ages. The Rad Hatter will return this year to help festival patrons create their own festive and whimsical hats. In addition, the event will feature lots of festival food favorites, arts and crafts, an automobile show, veterans exhibit and much more.
To participate in the event as an artisan or craft vendor, please contact Melody Kamp at 972-675-1041 or mkamp@simon.com. For volunteer opportunities, contact Bill Clifton at 972-205-3837 or bclifton@ci.garland.tx.us.
Event sponsors include the City of Garland, Garland Power & Light, Firewheel Town Center, Baylor Medical Center of Garland, Home Depot Home Improvement, Fox4, My27, Radio Disney, DART, Clear Channel Outdoors, KAAM Radio, America’s Credit Union, Garland Water Utilities, R-Delta Engineering, Inc., Freese & Nichols, Inc., Senator Bob Deuell, M.D. , Autumn Leaves Living at Richardson / North Garland, GEICO Insurance and the U.S. Army.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact Bonny Patrick at 972-205-2633 or bpatrick@ci.garland.tx.us.
For updates about plans for this year’s event, log onto www.starspangledfourth.com.