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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 105%;">CITY OF COLUMBIA, MISSOURI<br />P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<h2 style="font-size: 200%;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</h2>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">June 26, 2017</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 75px; font-size: 120%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Columbia Parks and Recreation
<br />Karen Chandler, Recreation Superintendent/Event Director, 573-874-6397
<br />Tammy Miller, Marketing Specialist, 573-874-7465</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:200%;"><h3 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 170%;">City of Columbia's Fourth of July Fire in the Sky Celebration</h3>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia's 65th annual Fire in the Sky celebration will return to the District in downtown Columbia on Tuesday, July 4.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />Entertainment and activities begin at 6:30 p.m. at Flat Branch Park, 101 Fourth St., and Peace Park, 401 Ninth St. Children's activities and food trucks will be offered at each location.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />A fireworks display will begin at 9:15 p.m. and will be shot from the top of the Sixth and Cherry parking garage. The fireworks will be choreographed to music and simulcast on BXR radio 102.3.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Entertainment at Peace Park includes The Fried Crawdaddies at 6:30 p.m. and the Norm Ruebling Band at 7:45 p.m. Flat Branch Park entertainers will be the Alec Davis Band at 6:30 p.m. and Murphy's Ford at 7:45 p.m.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />Other information for event-goers:</span></p>
<p><strong>Parking</strong></p>
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<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Free parking throughout The District and on campus in any City or university owned lots and parking garages, unless marked closed.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Street closures will begin at 1 p.m. on July 4 to include streets surrounding the Sixth and Cherry parking garage, Fourth Street from Locust to Cherry and Seventh from Locust to Elm.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Additional streets surrounding the Sixth and Cherry garage will close at 7 p.m. on July 4 to secure the fireworks safety zone.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Locust will close at 7 p.m. at Providence Road with exit only from Locust (Fifth Street to Providence) and closed east to Seventh Street.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Due to construction, Elm will be closed from Providence to Ninth. South sidewalks will be open.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Due to construction, Sixth will be closed from Locust to Elm. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Parking will be restricted in the Sixth and Cherry parking garage starting at 7 p.m. on July 3. Police will guide exiting traffic after the firework show. Some streets may be made one direction only at this time to assist traffic flow.</span></li>
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<p><strong>Tips and General Information</strong></p>
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<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Arrive early and enjoy the District. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bike the MKT trail into downtown or walk. The trail leads directly to Flat Branch Park.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bring a blanket or a lawn chair for seating in the parks to enjoy the entertainment.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rooftops not designed to be occupied should not be, per building code.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Please do not bring fireworks, alcohol or grills to the event or parking garages. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Volunteers are needed. Please call the City's Office of Volunteer Services at 573-874-7499 or go to</span><a href="http://www.como.gov/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">www.CoMo.gov</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and search Volunteers.</span></li>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />The event is made possible by generous sponsor donations from Columbia Insurance Group and KOMU8 as presenting sponsors and by the Cosmopolitan Luncheon Club, BXR102.3, KFRU1400 and Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau.</span></p>
<span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />Visit</span><a href="http://www.como./"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">www.CoMo.</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">gov (search 4</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">th</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of July) for other event details. </span></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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