Movies, music, family fun and fireworks: Albany announces 4th of July plans

ALBANY — Food, fun and fireworks are on the agenda as city officials prepare for Fourth of July festivities, starting with a block party on the evening of July 2 and ending with a concert and fireworks display on  the night of July 4.

Holiday plans were announced during Albany’s annual Fourth of July press conference, held Thursday morning at the city’s Welcome Center.

“Its going to be a great weekend for the whole family,” said Albany Public Information Officer Monique Broughton Knight.

For local sightseeing, the Flint RiverQuarium will partner with the Wetherbee Planetarium at Thronateeska Heritage Center to offer specially priced joint tickets.

Other July 4th happenings will take place downtown by the river.

Sunday night a holiday kickoff Block Party, sponsored by iHeart Media and WJIZ radio, is scheduled. The party will be on Front Street at Riverfront Park.

“There will be food, bounce houses, games, entertainment and fun for all ages,” Knight said.

Sunday night activities begin at 6 p.m. and end at 10 p.m.

Also on Sunday night, the movie “Storks” will be shown on a big screen at Riverfront Park starting at 8:30 p.m. or at sunset. Released by Warner Brothers in 2016, “Storks” is a PG-rated animated film written and directed by Nicholas Stroller.

The plot of the film is about a flock of storks that has moved on from delivering babies to delivering packages. All seems status quo until an order for a baby appears, and the best delivery stork must scramble to fix the error by delivering the baby.

Stars lending their voices to characters in the film include Andy Samberg, Katie Crown and Kelsey Grammer.

On Independence Day, the riverfront in downtown Albany will continue celebrating with more food, more family fun, more music and the always highly anticipated fireworks display.

“The Tuesday-night celebration will run from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m., hosted by Albany’s very own JChosen, who was a top 20 contestant on ‘The Voice,’” Knight said.

Knight said the city is trying to develop a “Music in the Park” atmosphere similar to that at Piedmont Park in downtown Atlanta. Food and merchandise vendors will be on hand, and activities are planned for family fun. Concerts begin at 5 p.m. Entertainment includes DJ Planet X, G&S Experience, JChosen, R&B singer Ro James and the headliner Aubrie Sellers, an American country music singer/songwriter.

“We are creating a very festive atmosphere. There will be plenty of vendor booths and a ‘selfie station’ where you can take a photo to remember this great event,” said LaToya Cutts, downtown manager for the city of Albany.

After the music winds down Tuesday, the fireworks will begin.

“The last concert will start around 8:30 p.m. and will lead right into the fireworks,”Knight said.

Event organizers say the fireworks for 2017 will be better than ever.

“Dale Henry, our pyrotechnic fireworks specialist, plans to change it up this year with a light show and a 25- to 30-minute display. There will be a constant boom, boom, boom, and you will want to see it. It will be very colorful,” Knight said.

Henry, who works as a procurement specialist for the city of Albany, said he has been setting off the Fourth of July fireworks in Albany since 1990. This year, all fireworks will be launched from the Broad Avenue bridge.

“It gets better every year,” Henry said.

Henry warned those who attend the downtown celebration to leave their own fireworks at home.

“You won’t need them. Our display is going to be great. We want to keep everyone safe,” he said.

Public safety officials say those attending the city celebration should park across the street at the Albany Civic Center on Oglethorpe Boulevard, which has parking spaces enough for 2,500 cars. Those attending are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and coolers.

Law enforcement officials reminded revelers that the event is alcohol-free, and extra officers will be on duty to enforce that policy and to ensure the safety of all who attend.