Free shows with patriotic music

SANDUSKY — Free outdoor concerts featuring patriotic music will take place in early July in Sandusky, Marblehead and Fremont. The Firelands Symphony Orchestra will be presenting two patriotic pops concerts. The first will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 2 at Marblehead Lighthouse within Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. A second performance will follow at 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 4, at Jackson Street Pier in Sandusky. In addition, the Hayes Presidential Library and Museum also announced an Independence Day concert. The Toledo Concert Band, featuring members of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, will perform at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 4, on the verandah of the historic Hayes Home, at Spiegel Grove in Fremont. Here are more details on the shows: Firelands Symphony Orchestra shows Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs to both of the Firelands Symphony Orchestra concerts, the July 2 show in Marblehead and the July 4 show in downtown Sandusky. "After the popularity of last year's patriotic pops concert at Jackson Street Pier, we knew we had to return to the pier this year for Independence Day," orchestra executive director Tricia Applegate said. "We are also thrilled to be bringing our orchestra to perform at one of the region's most historic sites, the Marblehead Lighthouse. We truly have the most beautiful venues to present live music to our Firelands region." The two Firelands Symphony Orchestra shows on July 2 and July 4 will feature a guest vocalist, Kate Klika, an Akron, Ohio, native and a recent graduate of Boston Conservatory at Berklee. The orchestra's music director and conductor, Carl Topilow, will conduct the July 2 Marblehead show. Firelands Symphony Orchestra conducting assistant guest Dean Buck will guest conduct the July 4 show in Sandusky, People attending the July 4 show are invited to stick around at Jackson Street Pier to watch the Cedar Point fireworks show. The Firelands Symphony Orchestra also announced that Topilow has renewed his contract with the orchestra, guaranteeing that he will be on hand for at least three more years as the orchestra's music director and conductor. Topilow has led the orchestra since 2009. Jackson Street Pier, redeveloped in recent years by the city, has become a popular place for holding outdoor shows. Last year, the city brought in two rock bands, Living Colour and Hoobastank, for a big outdoor show at the venue. Earlier this month, the city announced a series of free outdoor shows at the pier, including shows sponsored by the Lange Trust. Hayes Presidential Library The Independence Day show in Fremont at the Hayes Presidential Library will feature food trucks for attendees who need nourishment. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs to set on the Hayes Library grounds as they listen. The Toledo Concert Band performance will feature Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," with Civil War reenactors firing cannons at appropriate moments in the performance. The show also will be broadcast on WGTE radio FM 91 at 7 p.m. Friday, July 8, and on WGTE HDTV at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 10. Parking will be available on the grounds, weather permitting, with overflow parking on the street and in ProMedica Memorial Hospital's parking lots at Buildings A and B, located at 605 Third Ave. It's only a short walk from the hospital parking lot to Spiegel Grove, Hayes Library officials say.