By Staff
Special to The Star
June 5, 2002
The Cellular South Pops, Meridian's Fourth of July Celebration at Bonita Lakes, prepares to light up the night with a fireworks display and a patriotic concert by the Meridian Symphony Orchestra.
Cellular South, along with the city of Meridian and the Meridian Symphony Orchestra, is sponsoring the concert.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the free, family-oriented event, which was named in 2001 as one of the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Events for the month of July.
The event will feature the symphony orchestra concert conducted by Claire Fox Hillard, local food vendors, free shuttle transportation from the Bonita Lakes Mall and a gigantic fireworks display.
This year's concert will be at the upper lake area of Bonita Lakes Park. Gates will open at 3 p.m. July 4, and stage activities begin at 7:30 p.m.
The 8 p.m. concert will be preceded by a fly-over featuring jet fighters from Naval Air Station Meridian; fireworks will begin at 9. People attending the festivities are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.
The free shuttle service will run from the Bonita Lakes Mall entrance beginning at 6 p.m.; shuttles will run every 30 minutes and return concert-goers to the mall after the fireworks display.