SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Utility Board is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America with a Light of Liberty event this Saturday, starting at 4 p.m.
Light of Liberty, now in its 20th year, is a fundraiser at Island Park with music, food, family activities, and a fireworks show set to music and reflected over the Willamette River. Live music kicks off on the main stage in the north park area at 5 p.m. with Agents of Unity, before the headliner, Satin Love Orchestra, at 7 p.m. Also in the area are vendors selling dinner, dessert, and drinks.
Agents of Unity plays a mix of songs, from modern favorites to rock classics with their own unique spin. The band typically performs ’80s rock and pop, covering select songs from that decade. Agents of Unity is “adaptable and interchangeable to different kinds of styles and flair flavors,” according to lead singer Shelley James.
Satin Love Orchestra is a self-proclaimed “disco-licious” ‘70s-inspired sensational band that belts out disco-funk. The band plays with funky beats and a retro flair that make hips swing, kids boogie, and leave parents nostalgic.
Over in South Park, folks can find a family-fun area with a variety of kids’ activities. Animal exhibits with ponies, a petting zoo, and a reptile exhibit leave at 8 p.m., but live music, dance performances on the family stage, including the Oregon Bach Festival’s brass performers, inflatables, crafts, a robot expo, bubbles, hula hoop demos, balloon twisting, face painting, and more, go on until 9 p.m.
New attractions in the kids’ area this year include a diving tank with a mermaid and an arcade bus with video games.
Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. Meredith Clark, SUB community relations manager, said there is a clear view of the show mid-park and to the right as you enter off B Street. The fireworks are set to music, and folks outside the park can hear that simulcast on KRVM 91.9.
“There are great views all around town, just ask your neighbors for the best spot,” Clark said.
All proceeds from the event benefit Project Share, a fund that helps low-income Springfield residents with utility bills. Project Share helps low-income Springfielders with one-time emergency assistance with electricity bills. According to Clark, each year, the event allows SUB to help hundreds of households.
Around 6,000 people typically attend the city’s fireworks show, and tickets do sell out. Clark said that although there are still tickets left, sales get heavy the week of the event. Advance tickets are $5 and can be purchased at Jerry’s Home Improvement Center in Eugene or Springfield, or at SUB’s Main Office at 250 A Street in Springfield, until sold out.
Online tickets are $8 and can be accessed at subutil.com. On the day of the event, tickets will be $10.
