Tuesday, June 30, 2009 10:45 PM CDT
Newfield, Wicks coming to Red, White & Blue Days
By ROB STROUD, Staff Writer
rstroud@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON — A lot has happened since the Fourth of July Committee first arranged for rising country stars Heidi Newfield and Chuck Wicks to headline Red, White & Blue Days.
Newfield, a former member of Trick Pony, received five nominations at the Academy of Country Music Awards for her debut solo album, which included the hit “Johnny and June.” Wicks, singer of the hit “Stealing Cinderella,” gained an even higher profile partnering with his girlfriend, Julianne Hough, on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”
“We are fortunate to have two really major acts this year,” said Fourth of July Committee member Betty Coffrin. “After we booked them so far in advance, it’s a nice little surprise.”
Newfield is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Friday in Morton Park following a performance by Hello Dave at 6:30 p.m. Wicks is slated to take the stage at 2:30 p.m. Saturday following the holiday parade and ringing of the Liberty Bell.
Entry to the concerts is free, a fact that Coffrin said has been a pleasant surprise to the Newfield and Wicks fans who have been calling her for information. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs or blankets to the shows. Free parking is available one block to the south at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Field.
Coffrin said fundraising is essential to keeping entry free to the concerts at Red, White & Blue Days, especially because corporate contributions were down this year due to the poor economy.
The Fourth of July Committee plans to raise money by selling burgers and hot dogs starting at 4 p.m. Friday at the park and all-you-can-eat ice cream starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.
“You can put down your $2 and you can go back as many times as you want,” Coffrin said of the ice cream tradition on the holiday.
In addition, approximately 10 community groups will sell food and cold drinks Saturday at the park. The menu includes barbecue, bratwursts, pork burgers, Philly cheese steaks, kabobs, lemon shake-ups, root beer and more.
Inflatable games, a Foam Fun fire safety area and other children’s activities will be offered throughout the day Saturday. All ages are invited to create patriotic artwork with sidewalk chalk at 9:30 a.m. that day during the Coles County Arts Council’s Chalk-In contest.
The Fourth of July parade starts at 1 p.m. Saturday on the courthouse square and travels to the park. The parade will be followed by the ringing of the Liberty Bell replica at the park. Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln presenters B.F. and Dorothy McClerren will ring the bell in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the 16th president’s birth.
A new addition to this year’s festival will be a tie-in to the Charleston Community Band’s “Star-Spangled Tribute” concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Kiwanis Park amphitheater. Entry to the concert is free.
“It’s a nice way to kick off the whole weekend,” Coffrin said. “It’s a perfect way to get in the spirit.”
Contact Rob Stroud at rstroud@jg-tc.com or 238-6861.
Red, White & Blue Days schedule
Thursday
7:30 p.m., Charleston Community Band’s “Star-Spangled Tribute” concert, Kiwanis Park amphitheater
Friday
4 p.m., Fourth of July Committee burgers and hot dogs on sale, Morton Park
6:30 p.m., Hello Dave concert
7:30 p.m., Coles County Farmer of the Year, Little Mister and Miss Firecracker recognition
8 p.m., Heidi Newfield concert
Saturday
6:30 a.m., Coles County Habitat for Humanity 4-mile run/walk
9 a.m., Foam Fun fire safety area, food vendors, all-you-can-eat ice cream start
9:30 a.m., Coles County Arts Council Chalk-In sidewalk art contest for all ages
10 a.m., children’s inflatable games open
1 p.m., parade from courthouse square to Morton Park
2 p.m., bell-ringing ceremony at Liberty Bell replica
2:30 p.m., Chuck Wicks concert
Dusk, Fireworks at the airport
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