An estimated 40,000 to 50,000 people are expected to gather in Sugarhouse Park next Thursday for Utah's Centennial Fourth of July Celebration, featuring a fireworks display accompanied by a live symphony.
Stirling Strings, a violin group, will inaugurate the evening's festivities at 7:30 p.m. The group will play everything from classical to country music until 8 p.m.The performance will be followed by 16 skydivers who will land on the park soccer field at 8:15 p.m.
At 8:30 p.m., the "Centennial Symphony," comprised mostly of Utah Symphony members, will perform in the sound shell under the direction of Kory Katseanes, assistant conductor of the Utah Symphony.
"Having the symphony perform live in the park will be a real delight," said Connie Cannon, chairwoman for the event and a member of the Sugar House Park Authority.
At 9:15 p.m., the symphony will take a 15-minute break and then begin again at 9:30 p.m., with the fireworks display joining the symphony's concert at approximately 9:50 p.m. The fireworks will continue for 20 minutes.
"I think the climax of the evening will be when the fireworks go off with the symphony playing," Cannon said.
Cannon recommends arriving before 6 p.m. to get a seat on the hill facing the sound shell. She also said she is "hoping for more community-minded citizens that will clean up after themselves this year."
"It's a free event and Salt Lake's biggest fireworks spectacular," said Deseret News marketing director Steve Handy. "The Deseret News, along with the other sponsors, is proud to present this program for the public."
The Deseret News, KISN 97, the Sugar House Park Authority, DirecTV, Teledyne Water Pik and La Salsa are sponsoring the celebration.