Fairhope will light up with the night with colorful fireworks on July 4, but in addition to a visually stunning display, guests can delight in audible pleasures as well. Two venues will offer unique concert opportunities for viewers to enjoy.

Henry George Park

(By Linde Lynn)

The Baldwin Pops Band will present its annual Independence Day Concert at 7:30 p.m. on July 4 at Henry George Park. The band will also accompany the fireworks show starting at 9 p.m. Pre-concert entertainment will be provided by Doc Rogers and the Rock Dodgers, the house band of the Fairhope Yacht Club, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Conducted by Dr. Roger Jones, the Baldwin Pops Band will perform patriotic and Americana music including “American Folk Rhapsody No. 3” by Clare Grundman, “American Spice” by Sammy Nestico, “Goober Peas” by Robert Jager and “Light Calvary Overture” by F. von Suppe, arranged by Henry Fillmore.

The Eastern Shore Choral Society, under the direction of Mary Katherine Kilgore, will sing “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “God Bless America” and “Let Freedom Ring.”

The Checkered Tablecloth Award will be presented to the person or group with the most interesting picnic setup. Bring picnic suppers and chairs or blankets. There will be no children's march at this concert due to the large audience expected.

In addition to sponsorship by the City of Fairhope, the Baldwin Pops Band is sponsored by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Fairhope radio station WABF will broadcast the concert live on AM 1220.

All concerts are free. More information can be found at baldwinpopsband.com, by searching for Baldwin Pops Band on Facebook or by calling 251-987-5757.

Fairhope American Legion

(Submitted)

Local resident Grayson Capps will celebrate Independence Day at home, as the Fairhope High School graduate and his Lost Cause Minstrels band are set to play a concert on the beach stage at American Legion Post 199 in Fairhope. The concert is part of the Legion’s annual Independence Day Barbeque and pre-fireworks sunset party.

The Minstrels plug in at 6 p.m. and continue until the Fairhope fireworks start around 9 p.m. Admission is $5 (free for children under age 16). Funds raised are earmarked for the Post 199 Maintenance Fund.

Refreshments will be available during the concert at the Legion’s beach tiki bar and Floyd’s Traveling Restaurant will be serving hamburgers, Cuban sandwiches, fruit cups, sausage and cheese skewers and other delicious edibles. Other beach activities include horseshoe games, swimming and fishing from the Legion pier.

Legion chefs will begin serving barbeque plates of pork and chicken with all the fixings in Legion Hall at 11 a.m. and continue until the food runs out, as it always does. Plate tickets are $10 and include a raffle ticket for a barrel of goodies.

The public is always welcome at the Legion, located in a historic building on the Mobile Bay bluffs at 700 S. Mobile St. (Scenic 98) in Fairhope. Bring chairs, sunscreen and bug spray, but no coolers please.

The event moves inside in case of disagreeable weather. For more information, call 251-928-9132 or visit AmericanLegion199.com.