By Nancy Raskausas
The Entertainer | Posted: Thursday, July 2, 2009 12:00 am
Corvallis' Fourth of July boasts free music fest, parade, fun run and fireworks
The Ty Curtis Band played last year's Red, White & Blue Festival on the Corvallis riverfront.
"It was awesome," Ty Curtis said.
The 22-year-old is an unlikely bluesman who attended Sprague High School and more recently took classes at Western Oregon University. Lately, he's taken time off to focus on his music.
So far, that focus has paid off. The band recently earned second place in the prestigious 2009 International Blues Challenge.
The Challenge started with more than 2,000 bands in nine countries and 36 states. One hundred bands earned the right to travel to Memphis, where 10 advanced to the finals at the Orpheum Theatre, where The Ty Curtis Band received a standing ovation and was voted second place by a panel of judges made up of industry professionals.
The bands' skills are no secret in the Northwest. In the fall of 2008, the band was nominated by the members of the Portland-based Cascade Blues Association for Best Regional Act and Best New Act, getting the nod for Best New Act for 2008.
The band plays a mix of blues, blues-rock, funk and swing featuring passionate vocals, driving guitar and masterful harmonica.
The Ty Curtis Band is currently working on the songs for their third CD, and will be departing for Quebec, Canada, on July 6 for the Montreal Jazz Festival, the largest in the world.
The Ty Curtis Band will headline the first night of the Red, White and Blue Festival with a performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 3, following a 5 p.m. performance by Caught in the Act.
Saturday's lineup starts off with a combination of local groups Gumbo and Wild Hog in the Woods called "Wild Hog Gumbo" at 11 a.m., followed by Speed Limit and the Violations at 1:30 p.m., The Terry Robb Band at 4:30 p.m. and Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin' Daddies at 7:30 p.m.
The festival will also host a craft fair, food vendors and activities for children and adults. Additional Saturday events will include the "Fabulous Fantastic Anyone Can Join Fourth of July Parade" staging at 10 a.m. near Central Park and a 5K fun run/walk to raise money for local high school track and cross-country teams. For more information see www.downtowncorvallis.org.
The Corvallis Community Band will play a selection of patriotic songs just before the Corvallis Jaycees' 34th annual Independence Day aerial fireworks display, which will begin at approximately 10:10 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. This display will stage near the Oregon State University crew docks.
This is the first year that the Jaycees have not sold fireworks from a community stand to raise money for the display. Instead, they are soliciting funds from the Corvallis business community and citizens. Donations can be sent to: Corvallis Jaycees, P.O. Box 624, Corvallis, OR 97339-0624. Call Dan Richardson at 990-2941 for more information.
Another local fireworks show will be hosted by the Corvallis Knights baseball team immediately following their Friday night game, July 3, at Oregon State University. The first pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. The stadium box office will stay open late until 8:30 p.m. to accommodate fans arriving late for the fireworks display. Information: www.corvallisknights.com.
CHECK IT OUT
WHAT: Red, White and Blue fest
TIMES: Friday, July 3: Caught in the Act at 5 p.m. and Ty Curtis Band at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4: Wild Hog Gumbo at 11 a.m., Speed Limit and the Violations at 1:30 p.m., The Terry Robb Band at 4:30 p.m.; Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin' Daddies at 7:30 p.m., Corvallis Community Band at 9:30 p.m. Jaycee's fireworks will start at 10:10 pm.
WHERE: Riverfront Commemorative Park between Monroe and Jackson avenues.
COST: Free. Donations appreciated.
INFO: downtowncorvallis.org.