493 JULY 4TH AT MTSU OFFERS TOYS, NOISE, PATRIOTIC JOY

The entrance to MTSU from Rutherford Boulevard will be closed

June 23, 2006
CONTACT: Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919

MURFREESBORO—The Rutherford County “Celebration Under the Stars” committee wants every visitor to the July 4th festivities at Middle Tennessee State University to get a big bang out of the entire evening—arrive and depart safely and enjoy the huge party in between.
The traditional celebration site is located on the large grassy area across from the Recreation Center on Blue Raider Drive and just north of the John Bragg Mass Communication Building.
Children’s activities will begin at 5:00 p.m.
A formal welcome will take place at 7:30, and at 8:00, after the presentation of colors, the Tennessee Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, will perform.
At 9:00, the fireworks will light up the sky.
Visitors may enter campus on Faulkinberry Drive off Middle Tennessee Boulevard, turn right at the end of Faulkinberry, and proceed east on MTSU Boulevard to find good parking just north of the celebration site. Additionally, revelers may turn into campus from Greenland Drive onto Champion Way and head south to several parking areas. Others may wish to enter campus from East Main Street or Womack Lane and find parking on the south side of campus.
The entrance on the east side off Rutherford Boulevard will be closed due to construction, and parking will not be permitted along Rutherford Boulevard. Guests should come early and find parking on the north, west and south sides of the campus. Visitors will not be able to enter or exit that side of campus onto Rutherford Boulevard.
Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation will entertain and involve children with lollipop tree, bean bag toss, ball toss, Frisbee disc golf (Disc Golf Association), face painting, patriotic puzzles, turtle fest (Wilderness Station), knock the cans down and other games.
Giveaway items will include candy-filled straw, glow-in-the-dark tattoos, patriotic star necklaces, rubber patriotic bracelets, patriotic fans and patriotic pinwheels. Guests may purchase glow-in-the-dark necklaces and glow sticks.
Because the weather is unpredictable this time of year, everyone should tune to WGNS-AM 1450 radio, Murfreesboro’s Good Neighbor Station, starting at around
3:30 p.m. that day for any changes in the schedule.
The Blue Raider Athletic Association will sell concessions, and Wal-Mart is donating two large birthday cakes. The Col. Hardy Murfree Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will give out free American flags.
To insure everyone’s safety, organizers want to remind everyone that pets, alcoholic beverages, cooking grills, and personal fireworks or sparklers will not be permitted on the celebration site. Outside banners and food vendors will not be allowed on the grounds. Cooking grills will not be permitted on any grassy areas.
A special “Celebration Under the Stars” spread in the July 2 issue of the DNJ will provide more details and a map.
For more information, call MTSU News and Public Affairs at 615-898-2919.

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