By Monty Siekerman
For the fourth year, the local community will celebrate the 4th of July with a free Patriotic Pops Concert by the Lima Symphony Orchestra beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Kirsten Osbun-Manley will once again be featured soloist and, for the first time, the Noteworthy Community Choir of Ada will perform.

The rousing event of patriotic music will be held on the mall between McIntosh Center and Presser Hall. In case of Inclement weather, the program will take place in the ONU Field House. In any case, attendees are encouraged to arrive early and bring a lawn chair (and beverage, because the temp is expected to be warm), and, if you wish, picnic foods or snacks.

The Lima Symphony will play patriotic music, movie musical selections, popular tunes, and a tribute to those who served in the armed forces. “The National Anthem,” “Armed Forces Medley,” and selections from “South Pacific” will be among the songs performed, concluding with Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.” The Ada VFW Post color guard will present the colors.

Featured soloist, for the fourth year, is Kirsten Osbun-Manley, long-time ONU resident artist in music and musical theatre program director. Her Broadway-type voice is perfect for such an occasion. Noteworthy Community Choir, under the direction of Vicki Mills, ONU adjunct music instructor, will join the symphony this year.

Photo: Kirsten Osbun-Manley performing last year.