:: 4th of July- Boca Raton

Where: Florida Atlantic University Campus

Time: 6:00 PM

Fabulous Fourth Celebration
Put on your best red, white, and blue for a "FABULOUS FOURTH" and be the guests of the City of Boca Raton as it salutes Independence Day with stirring patriotic music, spectacular fireworks, and tasty food all to make your July Fourth the most festive of national holidays. The event will take place at the Florida Atlantic University campus, a half-mile east of the Glades Road I-95 exit, beginning at 6:00pm on Friday, July 4, 2008. Sponsored by the City of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University, Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, Sun-Sentinel, WRMF 97.9 FM, Florida Health and Chiropractic Medicine, FedEx KINKO'S, and Mercantile Bank, the outdoor event will get underway at 6:00pm with various family activities and games at the Carnival Midway. The sounds of music begin with a stirring patriotic 6:30pm stage show, "You're A Grand Old Flag," presented by ZMC Entertainment. At 7:30pm, the FLORIDA WIND SYMPHONY under the direction of Dr. George Sparks, will present a patriotic, hand-clapping musical tribute. The concert program will include vocal selections from two noted and popular musicals " Evita" and "Carousel." (Both musicals are currently being presented by the College of Arts and Letters at the University Theater…call 800-564-9539 regarding theater tickets & pricing.) At 9:00pm, a spectacular fireworks display will take place filling the skies with brilliant streams of color and lights. Traditional patriotic music will accompany the fireworks.

While waiting for the symphony concert and pyrotechnics to begin, enjoy the entertainment of ZMC Entertainment who will present an on-stage Las Vegas-style production of "You're A Grand Old Flag,"---whose motivating music and action-paced patriotic activities will enrapture the entire family. Other activities include special radio promotions and giveaways by FedEx-Kinkos, clowns providing animal-sculptured balloons and facepainting, sand art, gift drawings, and a variety of family games. In addition, the Children's Museum and Glass Productions will provide special music and activities.

No need to bring along the picnic basket, there will be plenty of food available for purchase. Several food vendors on site will provide a great variety of picnic-type foods for your eating pleasures, including sausages, hotdogs, hamburgers, pizza, chicken wings, kabobs, icies, popcorn, and much, much more. (Open grills and alcoholic beverages are not allowed at the event, nor anywhere on the FAU campus.)

Everyone is encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the day's festivities. Plenty of parking is available throughout the campus. For closest proximity to musical performances and various activities, use parking lots along FAU Boulevard (Parking Lots #1, #2, #4, parking garage adjacent to parking lot #1)) located at the east area of the Florida Atlantic University campus. Handicapped parking and those with special needs are asked to use the 20th Street entrance to the campus and proceed to Parking Lot #1. The entire campus provides a perfect viewing of the fireworks with the actual "ground zero" firing taking place in the greenspace adjacent to Palm Beach Community College parking lots in the northern-most area of the campus.

Entrance to the event, event parking, and all performances are free of charge, although there may be optional purchases for food, various crafts, and to support fundraising efforts of local not-for-profit groups. In addition, this year attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a community project recognizing our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan with "Operation Goody Boxes"….coordinated by The Humanitarian Society. The Humanitarians will accept monetary donations (checks to be made out to The Humanitarian Society) at their tent by the stage area, along with non-perishable items, for the purpose of preparing and mailing "goody boxes" to overseas troops. All funds will be used to purchase items for the boxes.

For the concern and safety of all, PERSONAL FIREWORKS & SPARKLERS, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, OPEN FIRES, AND BRINGING ALONG THE FAMILY PET ARE ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED.

www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us/specialevents

For additional information, call (561) 393-7806, selection #2.