Independence Day: Dublin brings a country flavor to celebrate the nation's birthday

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Joining musicians such as Pat Benatar, Kenny Loggins and Rick Springfield who have performed at Dublin’s Independence Day celebrations in the past, Gary LeVox, former lead vocalist for Rascal Flatts, is this year’s headliner for Dublin’s Independence Day concert.

Last year, LeVox and other members officially confirmed the disbandment of Rascal Flatts and the scuttling of a farewell tour that had been announced in early 2020, when members first revealed the band intended to part ways.

Gary LeVox, former lead vocalist for Rascal Flatts, is the headline performer at Dublin's 2022 Independence Day celebration.
Gary LeVox, former lead vocalist for Rascal Flatts, is the headline performer at Dublin's 2022 Independence Day celebration.

“We have been looking at available bands for months now and we were excited to hear the Gary LeVox was interested in coming home to central Ohio to do a show. It seemed like a perfect fit for us for Independence Day, so we put in an offer and we were able to make it happen,” Alison LeRoy, Dublin’s director of community events, said May 23.

“He will be our first country artist. We have had multiple requests for over the past few years, so it was a no-brainer when we found that we could bring someone of his stature to Dublin,” LeRoy said.

“This is a kind of homecoming for him,” she said, as LeVox grew up in Powell.

The show is expected to incorporate songs of Rascal Flatts, but also solo material LeVox has composed, LeRoy said.

Music isn’t the only entertainment for Independence Day.

The day’s activities on July 4 start at 8 a.m. with the Sherm Sheldon Fishing Derby at Avery Pond at Avery Road and Wynford Drive.

The city’s Fourth of July parade is to begin at 11 a.m.

The parade steps off at Metro Center, at Frantz Road and Metro Center North, proceeding north to West Bridge Street and east on West Bridge Street through historic Dublin, then south on South High Street concluding just south of West Bridge Street.

“We are so excited to have a completely normal parade and we’re letting people pass out candy, which we couldn’t do (during COVID-19 restrictions),” LeRoy said.

Jenny Amorose, chief operating officer of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, is grand marshal of Dublin’s Fourth of July parade. She has also served as a member of the school district’s business advisory council and the Dublin schools Hall of Fame committee, and is a current member of Dublin Food Pantry’s Capital Campaign Steering Committee.

Amorose was nominated for the honor by former grand marshals Page and Cheryl Vornbrock and a grand marshal selection committee confirmed the nomination.

“Cheryl and I are extremely proud of (Amorose) for what she has contributed to our Dublin business community, to our schools and to the citizens of Dublin. We can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor,” Page Vornbrock said.

Amorose, an alumna of Dublin schools, said she is grateful for the recognition.

“Dublin has been a part of who I am for my entire life. I am extremely grateful for this recognition and can’t think of a higher honor than being selected as grand marshal for one of Dublin’s most treasured events,” Amorose said.

The city’s evening entertainment is to begin at 4:30 p.m. at Dublin Coffman High School, 6780 Coffman Road, with children’s activities and a concert lineup that concludes with LeVox’s performance and a fireworks show at 9:50 p.m.

“We have the best fireworks in central Ohio, choreographed to a soundtrack,” LeRoy said.

General admission tickets to Coffman High School for the concert and fireworks are $5.

Ticket sales to Dublin residents and those living in the school district begin at noon June 26 online or in person at the Dublin Community Recreation Center, 5600 Post Road.

Those purchasing general admission tickets online should exchange it for a wristband July 4 at the stadium.

If any wristbands remain after the pre-sale to Dublin city and school district residents, they are to be made available to the general public for $10 beginning July 1, but Dublin city and school district residents can continue purchasing tickets for $5 through noon July 4 only in person at the Dublin Community Recreation Center (DCRC).

If any wristbands remain, they are to be sold for $10, regardless of residency, on site at the concert venue.

Reserved tables between the stage and the general admission area can be purchased in advance beginning June 9.

Sales are limited to Dublin residents who are asked to establish or confirm an account with the DCRC.

DCRC membership is not a requirement to register, but residency in the city limit of Dublin must be verified, according to Shirley Blaine, public information officer for Dublin.

Reserved tables are $200 and seats up to eight people. Children ages 4 and older require a ticket.

Dublin residents with an active DCRC account can register for the table sale starting at 10 a.m. June 9. Registration is to end at midnight June 12.

Blaine said that on June 13, confirmed registrants are to be separated into groups and notified of assigned times for online table sales June 16 and 17.

“The earlier a resident registers for the table sale, the earlier the resident will get to purchase a table,” Blaine said.

Tickets are to be emailed as there is no in-person purchasing, according to Blaine.

Individual tickets can be electronically transferred to other guests or printed. Wristbands are to be issued on July 4 for re-entry.

Kids Zone tickets can be purchased online or at the DCRC for $7 or on site for $10.

For further information on the city’s Independence Day schedule and ticketing policy and options, visit dublinohiousa.gov.

kcorvo@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekCorvo

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: July Fourth: City brings country flavor to celebrate nation's birthday