'Entertaining for everyone'
Patriotic display to light the sky over the Arkansas River
In its 38th year, downtown Little Rock’s Independence Day celebration will return with traditional activities and entertainment, as well as some new additions to keep the festivities rolling. The annual Pops on the River event, which will take place from 3-9 p.m. July 4 at the First Security Amphitheater, will offer a variety of entertainment and culminate with a performance by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, along with a dramatic fireworks display.
“It brings us all so much joy to be able to continue our Pops on the River tradition,” said Amanda Copley, marketing and events director for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. “We love bringing this free event to the community every year. It is a special night to gather together and celebrate this holiday.
“Pops on the River is a festival for the whole family with food trucks, kids’ activities and live music that makes it entertaining for everyone, while also taking the time to honor our country and the military families who have served it. It is just really beautiful to see the fireworks choreographed with the ASO’s performance and everyone connected together, enjoying this moment in our city.”
Pops on the River is sponsored by Orion Federal Credit Union and Winrock Automotive Group and also supported by French Hill, Webster University, AT&T, the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, Waste Management, Flossie's and CWP Productions, among others.
The event will offer an array of activities that guests can purchase, including caricatures by the Arkansas DemocratGazette’s John Deering, face-painting and children’s train rides. There will also be a Marketplace for shopping and food trucks, and Central Arkansas Water will provide water in the Marketplace.
“Safety is always our top priority when it comes to Pops on the River,” Copley said. “So every year, we have bag checks, wanding and more at the entrance. And this year, we are adding fencing around the perimeter to ensure that our security team has the resources they need for a safe event.”
As a result of the new fencing, the entrance to the event this year will be in a new location — the west parking lot.
Also for the first time, Lost Forty Brewing will be in the gated area with tent setups selling Rockhound IPA, 2nd Rodeo Light Beer that features Arkansas rice, and the new Punchy Arkansas Hard Seltzer Snow Cone Collection.
★ MILITARY ★
Pops on the River will continue its Military Appreciation Program, during which all military personnel — active and retired members and reservists — can receive special discounts and promotions during and after the event. Military members are asked to check in at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette booth in the Marketplace for more information. They will receive a Military Appreciation Discount Card for themselves and their families that will provide special deals, including discounts on food and refreshments at the event. Starting at 5 p.m., the first 100 military members to check in will receive giveaways, including free reserved seating in the amphitheater for the concert that evening.
During the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s performance of “Armed Forces Salute,” attendees and event participants will take a moment to recognize members of their respective branch of the military. Active and retired members of the military will be asked to stand and be recognized.
★ ENTERTAINMENT ★
The master of ceremonies for Pops on the River will be Broderick Daniels of North Little Rock, a member of the sixtime Stellar-nominated Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir, for which he serves as lead vocalist, director and board member.
At 6 p.m., Kemistri featuring Nicky Parrish will perform at the First Security Amphitheater. The band features the powerhouse vocals of Parrish and a range of styles, including R&B, jazz, neo-soul, blues, reggae and more. Parrish, the winner of BET Apollo Live in 2015, has shared the stage with acts such as Michael Bublé, CeCe Winans and Eric Benét.
The Rodney Block Collective will take the stage at 7 p.m. Trumpeter Rodney Block, a Dumas native, has been thriving in the regional music scene for the past 12 years and released his seventh studio album, “Fantastic Beatz,” in 2018. Block has shared the stage with acts such as The Temptations; Earth, Wind & Fire; and many more.
Amphitheater seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so people are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for convenience. Reserved seats in the amphitheater can be purchased for $10 each in advance of the event at pops.arkansasonline.com. No fireworks, food, drinks, coolers or pets will be allowed in the park.
★ FIREWORKS ★
The evening will conclude with a performance by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Geoff Robson, with the national anthem performed by Adrienne Collins, director of human resources and diversity, equity and inclusion for Rock Region Metro. Along with the orchestra, the audience will celebrate the nation’s independence with the Pops on the River fireworks finale over the Arkansas River, which will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m.