Free outdoor concerts set for July 4

SANDUSKY — Families celebrating Independence Day will have two free outdoor concerts to choose from on July 4 in Sandusky and in Fremont. Or if they like, they can attend both, as they are hours apart. In Fremont, the Toledo Concert Band, which includes members of the Toledo Symphony, will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday on the grounds of the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, at the verandah for the Hayes home. And in Sandusky, Firelands Symphony Orchestra will play "An Independence Day Pops Celebration" at 7 p.m. Sunday at Jackson Street Pier in downtown Sandusky. The Firelands Symphony Orchestra concert will feature guest artists and a wide selection of music, including the "Star Spangled Banner" and other patriotic tunes and music from the likes of Lee Greenwood, Frank Sinatra, George Gershwin and Louis Armstrong. The orchestra, whose music director is Carl Topilow, will feature guest conductor Jason Seber, associate conductor of the Kansas City Symphony, and two guest singers: Shane Patrick O'Neill and Pamela Shirtz. Audience members are encouraged to bring blankets or portable chairs. Tents will be available if the weather is bad. "The FSO is ecstatic about the opportunity to partner with Sandusky Parks to present live concerts at the beautiful new facility at Jackson Street Pier, especially for the celebration of our Nation's birthday," said Tricia Applegate, executive director of Firelands Symphony Orchestra. There will be activities all day in downtown Sandusky and fireworks that night, she said. Funding from the Albert G. and Olive H. Schlink Foundation is paying for the show. Freewill donations also will be accepted, the orchestra said. The Independence Day show at Spiegel Grove at the Hayes Presidential Library has become an annual tradition. The Toledo Concert Band has played July 4 concerts since 1997. Food trucks will be on site for anyone who is hungry. Bethany Brown, Sandusky County's health commissioner, will read the Declaration of Independence at the beginning of the concert. Both concerts are asking people who are unvaccinated to wear a face mask. Fully vaccinated people may attend without a face covering and without worrying about social distancing.