–The annual Independence Day celebration returns to the Paso Robles Event Center on Thursday, July 4. Combining family-friendly activities, live music, wine, beer, food, and fireworks to commemorate America’s birthday. Gates open at 4 p.m., the program starts at 8 p.m. General Admission tickets are selling fast, purchase them at www.pasopops.org.
Attendees are welcome, and encouraged, to bring in their own food and picnic onto the two large grassy areas. Food will also be available for purchase from local favorites G Brothers Smoke House, G Brothers Kettle Corn, Higgies World BBQ, Kona Shaved Ice, Paradise Shaved Ice, Society Cuisine, and The Pairing Knife.
Several children’s activities including Helm & Sons carnival rides and games will take place throughout the afternoon. Kids can color, explore the musical petting zoo, and have their face painted. Unlimited rides wristbands will be available in advance for $10 (children must wear closed toed shoes). Rides range from 48″ to 32″ minimum height requirements.
Returning sponsors Cass Winery and Firestone Walker Brewing Company will again have wine and beer for purchase. Paso Pops has partnered with more than 25 Paso Robles wineries for a walk-around wine tasting for Vice President and President level ticket holders. Wineries include: Allegretto Wines, Ancient Peaks Winery, Broken Earth Winery, Bovino Vineyards, Caliza Winery, Cass Winery, Demeter Family Cellars, Derby Wine Estates, Eberle Winery, Glunz Family Winery, Hidden Oak Winery, Hope Family Wines, Hunt Cellars, Justin Vineyards & Winery, Opolo Vineyards, Penman Springs Vineyard, RF Wines, Robert Hall Winery, Rotta Winery, Shale Oak Winery, Slacker Wines, Stillwaters Vineyard, SummerWood Winery, Thacher Winery, Tooth & Nail, Vino Vargas, Volatus, Willow Creek Wine Collective, and Windward Vineyard.
The 90-minute patriotic-themed “Pops” program will be headlined by the San Luis Obispo Symphony led by conductor Andrew Sewell on the Main Stage. Master of Ceremonies Paso Wineman Casey Biggs will emcee. Pieces to be performed include Leonard Bernstein’s “Tonight” (balcony scene from Westside Story), Frank Loesser’s “Somebody Somewhere” from Most Happy Fella, “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa, Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” and more. Other planned highlights of the evening include pianist Suri Kim, the winner of the Paderewski Festival Youth Piano Competition. Featured vocalist Sarah Lawrence will grace the stage to sing with the SLO Symphony along with her husband Calland Metts. A dramatic fireworks finale will complete the July 4 festivities.
Tickets range from $30 for General Admission in the Event Center’s bleacher seats (no blankets or chairs needed), $100 for Vice President seats, and $350 for sponsored President seats. Discounts to active and retired military, students, and seniors over 60, all with ID, for $25 Children 12 and under are free with paid adult General Admission.
Net proceeds from Paso Pops will benefit the Paderewski Festival Youth Piano Competition and the Youth Cultural Exchange Program.
Additional Paso Pops information is available at www.pasopops.org. Information about Ignacy Jan Paderewski and the non-profit Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles can be found on the website www.paderewskifest.com.
