Patriotic traditions will resonate throughout MacArthur Park on Sunday, June 12, for the 20th Annual Flag Day salute. “A Stars and Stripes Celebration” begins at 7 p.m. in the downtown Little Rock park with special recognition of military veterans and active members as the Little Rock Wind Symphony performs service songs of the U.S. Armed Forces.
During the concert, there will be a silent auction of the Symphony’s conductor baton and two opportunities to conduct the orchestra next season. The winner of the Christmas baton will conduct the performance of “Sleigh Ride” for the Christmas concert, and the winner of the Flag Day baton will conduct the finale of next year’s Stars and Stripes Celebration. Steve Parker, senior adult pastor of Parkway Place Baptist Church in Little Rock, won the Flag Day baton last year and will lead the band in “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” the national march by John Philip Sousa.
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The Honor Guard from the Little Rock Air Force Base will begin the ceremony with the Presentation of Colors; Boy Scouts of Troop 604 will lead the Pledge of Allegiance; and the Symphony will perform the National Anthem under the direction of conductor Israel Getzov, who just completed his first year with the Symphony.
The celebration is hosted by MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, which will be open for pre-concert tours of the exhibits.
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets or visit the food truck, Southern Salt Food Company. Blue Bell Creameries will also provide free ice cream. Water and hand-held flags will be provided. Admission is free, and in the event of rain, the celebration will move to Arkansas Arts Center auditorium.
Visit the Little Rock Wind Symphony’s website for more details.
