The last time the March Fourth Marching Band took the stage at Sweetwater Park in Lone Tree, officials were forced to evacuate the park when the sky opened up with hail, rain, thunder, and lightning before the band finished its first number. Not so this year.
Clear skies, sunshine and evening temperatures in the low 80s greeted concertgoers on June 18 who spread out blankets, set up umbrellas and turned the kids loose at the park’s playground, before settling in to experience a mix of music and Vaudeville-style performances by the band.
Also known as M4 by their fans, March Fourth’s "genre-breaking" performance features a 20-member core of brass and drum musicians and a whirlwind of dancers and other artisans. The performance is billed as “taking audience members of all ages, from all walks of life, on a joy-inducing, foot-stomping, booty-shaking, soul-stirring journey that defies categorization.”
The performance by M4 was the first of two free concerts featured in the 2016 Lone Tree Summer Concert Series scheduled to straddle the Independence Day celebrations on July 4.
For those who didn’t bring picnics, the Savory Life food truck offered a menu featuring Colorado bratwurst, medallions of beef layered in duxelles or breaded fried shrimp coated in a creamy spicy-wweet sauce.
For dessert, Coaches Scoop Frozen Desserts served up homemade ice cream from their mobile ice cream parlor.
In addition to music and food, there were stations to keep the kids busy, including Colorado state flag painting, and an opportunity for them to stock up on stickers and coloring books courtesy of the Parker & Lone Tree Communications Center.
The city also took the opportunity to distribute wristbands for the July 4 celebration. The event has become so popular that admissions will be limited to those who pick up wristbands in advance.
“With the increasing popularity of our Independence Day Celebration we give out wrist bands,” said Allissa Dailey, events manager of the Lone Tree Arts Center. “You can pick up four per residence.”
Residents may also purchase four additional wristbands for $5 each. Wrist bands are available in the Lobby of the Lone Tree Art Center at designated times through June 30.
The next in the summer concert series will feature Long Run, Colorado's Tribute to The Eagles on Aug. 13.
