Rockin' in the free world

A slew of free, family-friendly events in Mercer County will help usher in the Fourth of July holiday with an explosive mix of fireworks and world class rock cover bands, along with plenty of food and drink options.

Red, White and Blue Celebration

Tonight, the second annual Red, White and Blue Celebration will be held from 6-10 p.m. at Coldwater Memorial Park Amphitheater, compliments of Community Sports and Therapy Center. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

The event celebrates local fire, emergency medical services and law enforcement agencies and features live music, food trucks, a beer stand and kids' activities, including a coloring contest and touch-a-truck. Children can explore police cruisers, firetrucks and ambulances.

To date, more than $13,000 has been raised for Mercer County first responders through event proceeds and T-shirt sales, per a news release.

"As we celebrate our country's independence it is fitting that we express our appreciation and gratitude to all the safety personnel in fire, law and EMS that keep us safe each and every day," said Bob Hibner, executive director of Community Sports and Therapy Center. "This event is intended to celebrate our country's independence and at the same time give tribute to all the dedicated men and women who in the past, at present and in the future keep us safe locally."

The celebration is scheduled to get underway at 6 p.m. The national anthem will be played at 6:30 p.m. following by the music stylings of Roger DeMange and Rick Heyne. The centerpiece of the event is Hotel California, the Original Eagles Tribute Band from Ontario, who will grace the amphitheater stage for the second year.

In case of inclement weather, check Community Sports and Therapy Center's Facebook page for updates.

Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration

A group of businesses and organizations have partnered to present a fireworks show at 10 p.m. Saturday on the north shore of Celina. In case of rain, the alternative date is Sunday.

Celina Insurance Group, Celina Moose Lodge, Celina Eagles, Knapke Law Office, K-Law Lures, McDonald's of Celina and Pizza Hut of Celina are sponsoring the event.

"When Freedom Days ended, it left a gap during a very special holiday weekend. It just doesn't feel like the Fourth of July without fireworks," said Bill Montgomery, president and CEO of Celina Insurance Group, in a statement to the newspaper. "The Freedom Days organizers did a great job of putting on a show for many years, and we and the other sponsors felt we could take up the baton."

Public places to watch the fireworks include Lake Shore Drive and West Bank Road in Celina.

This will mark the second year of the fireworks display put on by the group of sponsors.

"We were very pleased with last year's turnout. The Eagles and the Moose were both packed, and we didn't hear anything but positive reviews from the community," said Traci Willrath, Celina Eagles Club manager, in a statement to the newspaper. "The Moose and Eagles wanted to continue the tradition of the Freedom Days show after the festival stopped. We worked with Bill Montgomery to put together an event that would celebrate the birth of our country and found other community partners to help make it a reality."

Crown Watts and Copper River Band

Cincinnati progressive rock juggernaut Crown Watts and Copper River Band, a local jazz fusion band with '70s influences, will light up the Harley C. Jones Memorial Rotary Amphitheater in the Bryson Park District in Celina starting at 5 p.m. Sunday.

The free concert is sponsored by Purdy, Lammers & Schiavone along with Lake Contracting, Jones Jewelers and the Mr. Shoppe, according to local attorney Lou Schiavone.  

"This community has been awful good to me and my family," Schiavone said. "This is a public service opportunity to introduce a band to our community and do something for our community all at the same time."

Schiavone, a megafan of prog rock icons Rush, stumbled upon Crown Watts while on vacation. Enamored with the band that are a staple of the Cincinnati music scene, Schiavone said he wanted to share his discovery with locals.

"I was down in Florida vacationing in Cape Coral and there was a band doing an outdoor performance at a local watering hole, and as I walked by I heard the unmistakable sound of 'Spirit of the Radio,' Schiavone recalled, adding he has since seen the group numerous times. "The talent level and the precision and camaraderie between these four gentlemen is a sight to behold."

Crown Watts specializes in the intricate sounds of Rush, Yes, Pink Floyd and other progressive rock acts. However, it applies the genre's trademark virtuosity and orchestration broadly to other songs of that era as well, explained bassist John Michael.

"A lot of our music has a progressive edge," he told the newspaper. "These songs have arrangements. There's technical instrumentation and musicianship and song dynamics and the presentation of the music. And so that's what we're trying to do - and kind of pass it on to the next generation."

The band aims to deliver a full concert experience to audiences. It also changes up its setlist for each show. But each gig is guaranteed to feature a handful of cornerstone tunes.

"There's always going to be Rush songs, there's always going to be Led Zeppelin songs," Michael said. "There's always going to be Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Elton John."

The St. Henry Community Picnic

The St. Henry Community Picnic had a banner last year, and organizers are looking to keep the ball rolling with this year's celebration tonight through Sunday at town square.

The picnic opens tonight at 7 p.m. with stands and games, Racing for Relief and band Snafu.

Other music acts scheduled are Evan Holcombe and Reflektion on Saturday and Roger Demange and 1988 on Sunday.

For more information visit St. Henry Community Picnic's Facebook page.