Freedom on Main
Freedom on Main, Roanoke’s patriotic pops concert sponsored by Joseph Decuis, marks its fifteenth year on Sunday, July 3, with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic performing outdoors in the beautiful Norman Rockwell-like setting in downtown Roanoke. Congressman Mike Pence opens this annual patriotic event that celebrates our country’s birthday and Huntington North Principal Major Jeremy Gulley, will be honored for his military service during intermission.
The orchestra will present a program of patriotic favorites beginning at 8 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. with preconcert entertainment by The Roanoke Rounders, a local group of bluegrass musicians.
The local Roanoke Cub Scout Pack #3030 will act as the honor guard before the concert, and Bradley Thachuk will conduct his final pops concert before he leaves Fort Wayne to head the Niagara Symphony (Canada) as Music Director.
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic program will include patriotic and American favorites such as “The Armed Forces Salute,” “Casey at the Bat,” selections of marches which include “Liberty Bell March,” “March from 1941,” “American Salute” and the traditional rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.”
In keeping with the concert tradition of recognizing a patriotic honoree, this year’s event will honor Major Jeremy Gulley, the principal of Huntington North High School who is currently deployed in Afghanistan. A member of the Indiana Army National Guard, Major Gulley is on the Agribusiness Development Team. As the majority of Afghans make their living from the land, Major Gulley and his team, working under dangerous conditions, teach local Afghans how to improve their farms to support a peacetime lifestyle. His family, wife Jennifer and children Liam, Connor and Evelyn, will accept the award on his behalf. The special presentation will take place after intermission.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 18 and under and are for sale in Roanoke at The Emporium at Joseph Decuis and Bippus State Bank. They are also available in Huntington at the Huntington County Visitor & Convention Bureau and in Fort Wayne at the Philharmonic Box Office at 4901 Fuller Drive or by phone at 260-481-0777.
The Philharmonic, which recently completed its 66th season, is the premier performing arts organization in northeastern Indiana. Its outdoor concert in Roanoke is one of the highlights of the region’s July Fourth celebration and the Philharmonic’s summer performance schedule.
Joseph Decuis is the presenting sponsor and award winning restaurant in Roanoke, Indiana and is grateful to the many sponsors who help by contributing to the event to make it possible. This stirring and moving celebration makes one proud to be an American and thankful to be in Roanoke.
If you would like more information about this event, contact chairperson Alice Eshelman, by calling 672-1715 ext 353 or aeshelman@josephdecuis.com
About Major Jeremy Gulley: Perry Collins perry@pmcollins.com
About Mike Pence: Janille Myers janille.myers@mail.house.gov