Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WHO: The Austin Symphony Orchestra
WHAT: H-E-B 31st Annual July 4th Concert & Fireworks
WHEN: Wednesday, July 4th, 2007 at 8:30pm
WHERE: Zilker Park at Lou Neff Point
COST: ABSOLUTELY FREE FOR ALL
CONTACT: Don Hill, Director of Public Relations - 476-6064 x 213 or 963-7558 (cell)

THE H-E-B AUSTIN SYMPHONY 31st ANNUAL JULY 4th CONCERT & FIREWORKS:
"CELEBRATE YOUR INDEPENDENCE"

Title Sponsor: H-E-B
Sponsors: ExxonMobil, Stanford Group Company, Austin Parks and Recreation Department, and the Texas National Guard Salute Battery
Media Sponsors: Time Warner Cable/News 8 Austin, Austin American-Statesman and Majic 95.5 FM

Spend this Indepedence Day with 100,000 of your closest friends! Central Texans will hurry to claim their grassy spot with the Austin Symphony Orchestra this July 4th for the largest Independece Day celebration in the state. Tens of thousands of families will be decked out in red, white and blue in the northest corner of Zilker Park this July 4th for an amazing event complete with a fireworks display over the city skyline backed by symphonic patriotic classics. The ASO will perform at 8:30pm, followed by mile-high fireworks at approximately 9:30pm. The spectacular H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks is planned, produced and performed by the Austin Symphony, as well as the help of our generous sponsors. The event is free and open to the public.

Road Closures
This year's concert will close fewer streets than previous years. The 1900 block of Barton Springs @ Robert E. Lee Rd. and the 2200 block of Stratford will be closed beginning at 2:00 p.m. and reopening at 10:00 p.m. The hike and bike trail will be closed between Lamar and MoPac beginning at 9:00 p.m. Town Lake to be closed from 8:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. between Lamar Street Bridge and MoPac Bridge. The southbound Bee Cave/Rollingwood exit of MoPac will close at 2:00 p.m.

Parking
The closest parking for concertgoers will be the lots surrounding Austin High School or Park Hills Baptist Church. Patrons needing handicapped accessible parking will need to enter Zilker Park from the west from MoPac. Law enforcement will be stationed to assist concertgoers with properly marked vehicles into designated parking areas.

No Shuttle Service
Capital Metro will not be providing shuttle service for this event. For available bus service, contact Capital Metro at www.capmetro.org or call (512) 474-1200.

Media Sponsors News 8 Austin and Majic 95.5 will be onsite for concert day information, complete with updates from the News 8 Austin Storm Cruiser about weather conditions. Emcee for this year's show is News 8 Austin anchor Paul Brown. Additionally, Majic 95.5 will broadcast the concert beginning at 8:00 p.m., with News 8 Austin joining in at 9:30 p.m. for the fireworks show in its entirety.

Tell your family and friends to mark their calendars now. This is the one outdoor event this year you do not want to miss! So grab a picnic and a blanket, and join us at the Lou Neff Point (northeast corner) of Zilker Park to declare your Independence!

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(Hi-res photos available on request from dhill@austinsymphony.org.)