Story and phot by Robert Whitmire

The Stevens Point City Band kicked off the Independence Day celebrations in front of a crowd of hundreds on the riverfront Wednesday, July 2.

Audience members tapped their toes to Henry Fillmore’s American’s We and John Phillip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever.

They acknowledged the members of the armed forces past and present as the band played each of the service branches songs and listened intently as the band skillfully performed the full arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.

Following an appearance in the annual Stevens Point Fourth of July parade in downtown Stevens Point, the band will return to the band shell at Pfiffner Pioneer Park on the banks of the Wisconsin River Wednesday, July 9 at 7:00 pm when Anything Goes! Musical Director Kathy Kawleski has put together a program with a wide variety of styles including The Music of Cole Porter, Offenbach’s Ballet Parisien, and popular theme music from the James Bond movies.

John Phillip Sousa’s King Cotton March will be the weekly Children’s March.

As always, Michele’s Restaurant and Catering of Stevens Point will provide food for purchase before and during the concert.

Concerts are free and held Wednesday evenings through July 30. Audience members should bring chairs or blankets for seating.

In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held in the gymnasium at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, 1919 Wyatt Avenue, Stevens Point.