Philharmonic taking Fourth of July show to Springs Preserve

The Hills Park will be dark, but parade to go on

View File PhotoThe Las Vegas Philharmonic performs as fireworks blast during the 2005 Fourth of July Star Spangled Spectacular at The Hills Park, 9100 Hillpointe Road. This year, the concert is moving to the Springs Preserve, and the fireworks will be replaced by a laser light show. Advertisement

It was an annual tradition that literally lit up the skies over Summerlin. Now, those skies will be dark.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic will not be performing a Fourth of July concert at The Hills Park, 9100 Hillpointe Road, this year, ending the 10-year tradition that finished off with a fireworks show.

There is a spark of good news; the Fourth of July Star Spangled Spectacular will be hosted at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd.

"A lot of people recognize that the Springs is where Las Vegas started, so there's no more fitting location to celebrate the birth of our country," Springs Preserve spokesman J.C. Davis said.

The amphitheater at the Springs Preserve will be used. It can accommodate approximately 2,000 people. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the concert begins at 8 p.m. on July 4.

Reserved seats are available for $27.50, with grounds passes available for $17.50. Grounds passes have no assigned seating. All exhibits close at 5 p.m. at the Springs Preserve on July 4.

Call 822-7705 for more information or visit www.springspreserve.org.

The economy is to blame for discontinuing the tradition in Summerlin.

"The city, and other sponsors, made major cutbacks, and we were one of them," said Jeri Crawford, presiding officer and president of the Philharmonic as of July 1.

Just the rental of the park for the event came with a $29,000 price tag, she said. Then there was the cost of paying the musicians and hosting the fireworks.

When the Springs Preserve called with an offer to host the show, Crawford said, "We were ecstatic."

The stage is being enlarged to accommodate the entire orchestra. Instead of fireworks, the final number of this year's concert will be enhanced with a laser light show.

Davis said that between the plant life and desert species that live on site, "loud noises and fire are just not a good combination."

Nicole Morrison, who lives within blocks of The Hills Park, said she was sad that the concert would not be held in Summerlin this year. She said she'd have to be content with the Strip's display, but that she wasn't going to travel there.

"Palo Verde (High School) is a good place to go and see them," she said.

Jura Leak, another neighbor, had planned to host a barbecue and invite friends over to watch the fireworks.

"This year, I was really excited because I could include the baby," she said.

Not everyone was sad to learn the concert was leaving The Hills Park. Some residents said they had to put up with concert-goers encroaching on their neighborhood.

"People would park up and down the street," said Jon Smythe, who lives just a block away. "One time, they left their car in front of my driveway. I couldn't get out of my house."

He also said he's seen people sitting on his lawn, waiting for the fireworks to start.

David Dean said the music was wonderful, but the fireworks made the pictures on his wall rattle.

"The whole area shakes and debris (rains) down on your property," he said. "Then you take a walk the next day and you find all these beer bottles left behind."

The Philharmonic may be leaving Summerlin, but another tradition for that day, totally separate and sponsored by another entity, will remain. The Summerlin Council plans to host its Fourth of July Patriotic Parade again this year.

Last year's parade attracted more than 40,000 attendants and featured more than 60 entries, including traditional floats, dance performers, musical groups, cars and other decorated vehicles, dignitaries and local mascots.

This year's parade is slated to begin at 9 a.m. on July 4 and will travel along flag-lined streets from Hillpointe Road and Hills Center Drive, then south on Hills Center Drive toward the Village Center Circle roundabout. The parade then will travel west on Trailwood Drive and end at Spring Gate Lane.

For more parade information, call 341-5500.

"The Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade brings people of all ages and backgrounds together to celebrate our great nation," said Traci Giesea, special events and recreation coordinator for The Summerlin Council. "This is a wonderful and worthwhile tradition. We're pleased to host this event every year. It truly is a year-round labor of love."

Contact Summerlin View and South Summerlin View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 387-2949.