By Nicole Tracy
News-Leader staff
The Nashville Chamber of Commerce is in its final preparations gearing up the 26th annual Stand Up For America celebration at the Nashville City Park on Saturday, July 2. This year’s event will include a new addition, a 8 foot high by 14 foot long digital sign that will enhance the annual celebration.
Gates will open at the park at 6 p.m. Live performances from local performers Don Porterfield, Jordan Revels, Nashville Primary students under the direction of Stacia Petty, Rayne Morris with Rayleigh Harmon, Jaycee Tice, Rylee Backus, Maci Bishop with Robert Womack, and Allie Westbrook with Robin Wilson, Peek Garland and Jenny Westbrook will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a patriotic performance and presentation of the flags at 7 p.m.
This year’s patriotic performance will include a showing of the Channel 11 tribute to the fallen soldiers of Arkansas. “In previous years, we had displayed flags from each branch of the armed services, but this year, we will be able to play the theme from each branch of the military, and display their logo on the digital screen.”, said Mike Reese, Chamber director.
The headline performance by Billstown will begin at 7:30 p.m., and the annual fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m.
Concessions will be available at the festivities and will be handled by the Chamber board. Items available for purchase that evening will be drinks, pickles, and chips for $1, hot dogs and nachos for $2, chili cheese nachos and Frito chili pies for $3, and hamburgers and cheeseburgers will be available for $4. Karen Kell will also be operating “The Freeze” and will have snow cones, slushies and pretty much anything to do with ice available for purchase during the evening, Reese said.
The Chamber will also have a booth available that will have glow sticks of various designs available for purchase. Every adult family will receive a hand-held American flag to wave from the Chamber.
Admission to the event will be $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 3-11, children ages 3 and under will be admitted free, and there will be special seating in front of the stage available for $10. One hundred tickets will be available for the special section.
Tickets are available for purchase at Sharpe’s Department Store, Ivan Smith Furniture, Bear State Bank, Lisa Chandler Insurance, Home Improvement Center, First State Bank, Power Pharmacy, and Diamond Bank. They can also be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce office. “We encourage you to buy your tickets early, so you won’t have to wait in line the night of Stand Up For America,” said Reese.
Local sponsors for Stand Up For America are Red Level: Husqvarna, York Gary Autoplex, Dr. V. Glenn Lance, DDS, and Tyson Foods. White level sponsors are Bear State Bank, AEP/SWEPCO, Red River Federal Credit Union, Jan Eze Plating, Ivan Smith Furniture, Diamond Bank, McDonalds, Southwest Arkansas Electric Co-Op, Lisa Chandler Insurance, the City of Nashville, Home Improvement Center, CCCUA-Nashville, Crete Cast Products, Mission Plastics, Futrell Marine, Latimer Funeral Home, First State Bank, Smith Ready Mix, Southern Belle Inn, and Cash Saver. Blue level sponsors are Power Pharmacy, Woods and Woods Accountants, Sharpe’s Department Store, The Printshop, Nashville Rotary, Centerpoint Energy, Regions Bank, Shelter Insurance, Teague and Teague Insurance and State Farm Insurance.
