Published: June 26, 2009 07:52 pm      

Live music remains a part of SomerBlast

Somerset — What’s a Fourth of July celebration without a little pickin’ and grinnin’?

The Somerset Parks and Recreation Department decided that the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce’s annual SomerBlast event just wouldn’t be complete without live music — so director Joe Ford and his staff set out to find a variety of bands to perform at SomerSport Park throughout the day on Friday, July 3, leading up to the much-anticipated fireworks display that evening.

Earlier this month, the Chamber of Commerce announced that SomerBlast would hold its third annual event at SomerSport this year, but that, due to the community’s economic setback, no bands — neither big nor small — would be providing concerts there.

“We didn’t feel like we could ask for that type of money right now (from local businesses),” Chamber director Jack Keeney said at the time.

In previous years, the event has featured performances by local bands as well as by nationally-known groups such as the Kentucky Headhunters, Exile and Shenandoah.

The Chamber opted to concentrate its efforts on providing a high-quality fireworks display around 10 p.m. Friday, July 3. Several local churches and other organizations offered to provide inflatable jumpers, dunking booths, a cornhole tournament, and other activities free of charge.

But the Parks and Recreation Department felt that something was still missing.

“The Chamber opted not to bring music to the event this year, and we decided to pick up the ball,” Ford said.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to do something really big next year. This year, we did the best we could with such late notice.”

Six local and regional bands will provide a variety of music styles throughout the day Friday.

Reverend John and the Backsliders will perform at 2 p.m., followed by Jupiter Jones at 3 p.m. A band called It will be featured at 4 p.m., and Upstruck will perform at 5 p.m. Kelly Caldwell and the Mountain Connection will take the stage at 6 p.m., followed by Live Fish at 8 p.m.

The fireworks, Ford said, could begin anywhere from 9:30 to 10 p.m. depending on the bands’ schedules.

“Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and make a day of it,” Ford said. Limited seating will be available on the bleachers at SomerSport.

The city Parks and Recreation Department, along with cheerleaders from local high schools, will be selling snacks, drinks, and other items, such as glow-in-the-dark necklaces. Families and groups are also welcome to bring their own picnic lunches.

There is no admission fee, although donations will be accepted at the entrance gate “to help offset expenses,” Ford said.

Free parking will be available in the Pumphouse Road/East Somerset Church Road area, or, for a fee, those who attend the event can park at either Meece Middle School, the YMCA, or Pulaski County High School and be transported to SomerSport Park on a shuttle bus.