Celebrate Independence Day with Fanfares & Fireworks

June 3, 2010

Gainesville, Fla. — Public broadcasting stations WUFT-TV/DT, WUFT/WJUF-FM, commercial radio stations WRUF-AM/FM and WLUF-TV will present Fanfares & Fireworks on Saturday, July 3, beginning at 7 p.m. The Independence Day Eve event will be held at the newly remodeled University of Florida Bandshell at Flavet Field on the UF campus. The free event is sponsored by the University Athletic Association, the City of Gainesville, AvMed Health Plans and the University of Florida.

Fanfares & Fireworks will feature a variety of musical groups, an opportunity for families to picnic in the grass and a spectacular fireworks show. Entertainment includes the 6th Street Rhythm and Blues Review, contemporary urban jazz, funk and soul music from the Hartley Leacock and the Collective Format Band and the traditional favorites by the Gainesville Community Band, under the direction of Gerald Poe.

WRUF/WUFT Sports Director Steve Russell and Friends of Five board member Ilene Silverman-Budd will serve as emcees. Fanfares & Fireworks will conclude with a fireworks extravaganza by Skylighters of Florida. The presentation will be set to the music of the Gainesville Community Band. The fireworks will begin at approximately 9:40 p.m.

During the event, LifeSouth Blood Center will conduct a blood drive, concessions will be available for purchase, and Gator mascots Albert and Alberta, along with PBS’s Clifford the Big Red Dog, will make appearances. For safety reasons, no dogs, sparklers or alcohol are allowed at the event. Coolers are allowed, but may be subject to search by the University Police Department.

The UF College of Journalism and Communications Division of Multimedia Properties is comprised of television stations WUFT-TV and WLUF-TV; two public radio stations WUFT-FM 89.1 and WJUF-FM 90.1 and two commercial radio stations WRUF-FM, Rock 104 and WRUF-AM850. The station studios are located in the College and serve as a training facility for telecommunication, journalism, advertising and public relations students. The stations serve listeners and viewers in central and northern Florida.