WR releases Independence Day celebration details

The celebration lives on.

That was the word from Warner Robins Mayor Randy Toms and others at a press conference Friday to announce details of the 2014 Independence Day Celebration.

“For more than 70 years the base has been a major partnership and a great partnership. One (part of that partnership) that has really stood out has been the annual Independence Day celebration featuring the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Sadly, that partnership came to an end due to budgetary constraints (the band being disbanded last year).”

But, Toms continued, “I’m grateful to tell you though while no longer a base and community partnership, the Independence Day celebration lives on as a true community partnership.

“This community, born from the base, will continue to celebrate our heritage each and every Independence Day – most importantly for the men and women in uniform defending our freedom abroad and the ones on the other side of that fence (the conference was held at the Convention and Visitors Bureau with the base as the backdrop) that support our national defense every day.”

Toms also announced that Jeff Smith had stepped up as sponsor for the event. Rick Hall represented it and said this year’s celebration would feature a “renowned artist,” a “world-class” fireworks show, and, a patriotic road race after the concert and fireworks show, “as well as other additions,” he said.

“This celebration is our opportunity to let America know that this is and always will be America’s most patriotic community,” he said, adding a rallying cry for others: “There is still time to come on board for this celebration, and we hope you will join us in making this a world class event.”

The Downtown Development Authority is organizer for the event. Currently Jeff Smith has reportedly committed $20,000 to the event and the city $30,000. It was previously estimated to cost between $100,000 to $150,000 with the fireworks show costing an estimated $40,000.

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