Fourth of July fun for everyone

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

By Henry Sweets

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Whether you want debauchery or lasting family memories, you can find it on the Fourth of July in Jackson Hole.

The day begins at the Jaycees street pancake breakfast, from 7 to 11 a.m., on Center Street at Deloney, just off Town Square. Once they’ve had their fill, sports enthusiasts might bounce over to the Wydaho Bike Race (see Back Beat, p. 15) but most others will find a spot to watch the Howdy Pardners Fourth of July Parade, which loops from the the Fairgrounds to Town Square and back, via Glenwood, Broadway and Willow streets.

This year‘s parade features a couple of automotive oddities, performances by local theater companies, lots of people on horses, motorcycles and some candy tossers. A rumor is going around that George Washington and Abraham Lincoln will be riding one of the floats. After the parade, at 11:30 a.m., classic Fourth of July kids games at St. Johns Church include a balloon toss, a three-legged race, a watermelon eating contest, tug-of-war and more. Overzealous dads beware: the games are for kids 12 and under.

After the morning’s activities, savor your downtime, because a long afternoon in the sun awaits at the Grand Teton Music Festival’s Music in the Hole concert.
Music in the Hole  starts with its annual “Land Grab,“ 9 a.m., when a pistol start sets loose a horde of music fans toting stakes, ropes, hammers and blankets to claim a spot close to the stage. The music starts at 3 p.m., when the Jackson Hole Community Band performs for about an hour.

Thirsty, a local high school band, will take the stage at 4 p.m. for a half hour and will be followed up by the Off Square Theatre‘s preview of Petticoat Rules: The Jackson Hole Revue.

Then Braziliana, a five-piece Brazilian Jazz band featuring Juliane Kowski, will take stage for a one-hour performance of hip-moving cassanovas.

At 6 p.m., the Grand Teton Music Festival orchestra, with operatic soprano Christine Brewer, plays an hour and a half of patriotic tunes like “America the Beautiful,” the “Star Spangled Banner” and the “1812 Overture”.

Food and drink will be available at Music in the Hole, but many concertgoers pack picnics. Start Shuttles run all day to and from the event, which is located at Alpine Park in West Jackson. Parking with a shuttle is available at the Presbyterian Church, while bicyclists can ride straight to the concert and take advantage of a free bicycle valet service provided by Friends of Pathways. Many celebrationists will avoid the crowds in town. But everyone will be back in town by 10 p.m. for the Jaycee’s Fireworks on Snow King Mountain.  JHW

The Pancake Breakfast runs 7 to 11 a.m., at Center and Deloney Streets; the Parade starts at 10:30 a.m.; kids games at St. Johns run 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with a $10 suggested donation. Music in the Hole runs 3  to 7:30 p.m. and is free of charge. The Jaycees Fireworks start at 10 p.m. on Snow King Mountain.

Photo by PATRICK DOLAN
Fourth of July fireworks over Jackson, 2008.


PERMALINK:
Fourth of July fun for everyone | Planet JH News Article: General Music Arts and Culture

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