With Transylvania University’s flag-draped Old Morrison as a backdrop, members of the Kentucky National Guard’s 202nd U.S. Army Band, the Lexington Singers and various soloists will perform beloved patriotic tunes as part of Lexington’s Fourth of July Festival.
The city’s free Patriotic Music Concert — which is on July 3 at 8 p.m. — draws thousands of people to the university to not only enjoy the music, but picnic on the lawn, mingle with neighbors and cool off with a snow cone.
Since 1983, the university has hosted the event, which is presented by Ball Homes and Central Bank.
World-renowned tenor Gregory Turay, who will perform in the show as well as produce it for the Downtown Lexington Partnership, said it is gratifying to see the community come together to celebrate our country. “It’s a wonderful tradition for Lexington.”
The musicians will perform American favorites — from the “Star Spangled Banner” to “My Old Kentucky Home” to “Yankee Doodle.” The concert will include performances by Gabby Barker, Everett McCorvey, Darian Sanders and Whit Whitaker. Also on tap, members of The Lexington Theatre Company will perform a number from the upcoming Lexington Opera House presentation of “West Side Story.”
“It’ll be a great event,” Turay said.
With crowds stretching from the steps of Old Morrison across Third Street to Gratz Park, the concert is one of the largest annual draws at Transylvania. The university invites the public to campus throughout the year for a range of events, including lectures, sporting events and PumpkinMania, another Lexington holiday tradition.
Nearby, free parking is available in the university’s lots.