How to go
What: Light Up the Sky
When: Noon-11 p.m. Monday, July 4
Where: Monroe Community Park
Admission: Free
More info: www.MonroeOhio.org and www.lightuptheskymonroe.com, or at Light Up the Sky Monroe on Facebook
The Remains band info: www.remainsmusic.com
Event schedule
Noon: Parade from Kroger to Monroe Community Park
12:30 p.m.: Vintage Base Ball Tourney
1 p.m.: Rides begin, Beer Garden opens
5 p.m.: Parking at the park closed (unless you have a parking pass, or arrive early). Free parking and shuttle service at Monroe High School.
7 p.m.: The Remains
Dark: Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks display
Monroe’s annual Fourth of July event, Light Up the Sky, will bring the community together for a parade and a festival that will feature a concert by The Remains, followed by Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks. There will also be family-friendly activities throughout the day, along with an on-site beer garden.
“I’m excited about the fireworks, but having the beer garden on site is pretty exciting this year. This is our second year with The Remains, and they are always a huge draw,” said Leslie Sumner, president, Monroe Lions Club.
Hosted by the City of Monroe and the Monroe Lions Club, Light Up the Sky will kick off on Monday, July 4, with a parade at noon, followed by festivities at the Monroe Community Park. The Remains will start their show at 7 p.m.
Remains drummer Lou Aielli said, “We’re not a pigeonholed ’60s, ’70s or ’80s band. We do everything from ABBA to Led Zeppelin, and everything in between.”
He said the crowd can expect to hear songs from John Mellencamp, Roy Orbison, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Grass Roots, The Monkees, Peter Frampton, Eric Clapton and ZZ Top, among others.
Founded in 1987, Cincinnati-based band, The Remains are in their 29th year. Aielli said the group still enjoys connecting with their fans and making music.
“I look forward to the crowd. I like big venues and big crowds. They are a lot of fun to play. With festivals and Fourth of July, it’s more of a party atmosphere. There’s carnival food, and rides, and with a festival like this, our fans can come out and see us,” Aielli said.
The parade lineup will depart from Kroger, and the festival will follow at the Monroe Community Park with a variety of food, games, entertainment, amusement rides and an on-site beer garden featuring craft and domestic beers. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display by Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks at dark/around 10 p.m. Close to 5,000 guests attended the event last year.
“A mainstay of a lot of small town’s is getting together for fireworks on Fourth of July. I think we’ve taken that idea, and expanded it into a really nice, fun-filled, family day. We’re going to have a good time this year. There’s a lot to do. You can come in with the parade at noon, or you can come later in the day, but no matter what time you get there, you’re going to have something to do,” Sumner said.
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