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OGSpressoffice@ogs.ny.gov| 518-474-5987
July 02, 2024
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ORLEANS TO HEADLINE NEW YORK STATE’S FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION PRESENTED BY PRICE CHOPPER/MARKET 32 AT THE EMPIRE STATE PLAZAFree Event to Feature Food, Music, and the Capital Region’s Best Fireworks Display |
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New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner Jeanette Moy is inviting everyone in the Captial Region and beyond to celebrate Independence Day at New York State’s Fourth of July Celebration Presented by Price Chopper/Market 32 at the Empire State Plaza in downtown Albany. This event features an exciting program filled with incredible live music, great food and beverages, a naturalization ceremony for new citizens, a flyover by the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing, activities for children, and the best fireworks display in the region.
“The OGS team is looking forward to hosting another amazing New York State Fourth of July Celebration at the Empire State Plaza with the support of our generous and longtime sponsor, Price Chopper/Market 32,” Commissioner Moy said. “The Plaza is a wonderful place to gather with family and friends on Independence Day, and we invite everyone to join us for an evening full of family-friendly activities, a naturalization ceremony, a military aircraft flyover, and a performance by Orleans. All that fun and great music lead up to a spectacular fireworks display that’s not to be missed.”
“Price Chopper/Market 32 is proud of our 48-year tradition of celebrating our nation’s independence at the New York State 4th of July celebration,” said Blaine Bringhurst, president of the hometown supermarket chain. “We’re especially thrilled to present the fabulous fireworks display, and look forward to gathering with family and friends, enjoying good food and entertainment, and honoring all who have served.”
Since the country’s bicentennial in 1976, OGS has partnered with Price Chopper/Market 32 to put on an Independence Day event that has traditionally drawn tens of thousands of people to the Empire State Plaza.
Orleans is an American pop rock band formed in 1972 in Woodstock, NY, by John Hall, Larry Hoppen, and Wells Kelly. Larry’s younger brother, bassist Lance Hoppen, and drummer Jerry Marotta joined the band in 1972 and 1976, respectively. The band is best known for its hits “Dance with Me” (No. 6 in 1975), “Still the One” (No. 5 in 1976), from the album “Waking and Dreaming,” and “Love Takes Time” (No. 11 in 1979).
Orleans has produced a body of work spanning 17 albums and several DVDs. They continue to be in demand for live shows, as they have been for five decades now. The working live band, led by co-founder Lance Hoppen, includes brother Lane Hoppen, Brady Spencer, Tom Lane, and Tony Hooper. Like all other versions before it, this roster continues to deliver Orleans’ music with the class and integrity it deserves, to the delight of audiences everywhere.
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers was scheduled to perform at this year’s July 4 celebration, but due to a vocal issue that has limited Bruce’s ability to sing and speak, the performance was canceled.
The 4th of July celebration is focused on creating a family-friendly environment at the Plaza. Smoke- and alcohol-free areas will feature bounce houses, pony rides, face-painting, a coloring mural, and more. Additional activities include interactive games by I Heart Media and Albany Broadcasting, OGS giveaways, and an I LOVE NY tourism pod. There will also be dozens of food and craft vendors at the event.
At 5 p.m., witness a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization ceremony with participants taking their Oath of Allegiance and completing the process of becoming U.S. citizens. This year, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the New York State Supreme Court will welcome 16 new U.S. citizens from 13 different countries: Albania, Bangladesh, Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Yemen.
Live music begins at 5:30 p.m. with a performance by the Averill Park Combined Schools Jazz Band. At 6:15 p.m., Soul Session will make a return appearance to the Empire State Plaza stage. Based in upstate New York, Soul Session is a high-energy musical ensemble that will make you dance and jump around all night long with entertaining command.
The official July 4 program begins at 7:30 p.m. It will feature a special military ceremony featuring the presentation of colors, singing of the national anthem, and a military flyover by the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard, based in Scotia.
Orleans will take the stage at 8 p.m.
It all leads up to the region’s most spectacular fireworks show by Santore’s World Famous Fireworks – kicking off at approximately 9:15 p.m.
Grounds open at 4 p.m., and free parking is available in the visitor and “P” lots under the Empire State Plaza, the Grand Street lot, and the Elk Street lot. Free parking will also be available in the East and Sheridan Hollow garages, but no vehicles will be permitted to park on the roof level of either garage.
CDTA will provide enhanced bus service following the fireworks.
OGS is implementing a new emergency text alert system, which the public can use at Summer at the Plaza events to receive emergency notifications specific to the event they are attending. For the 2024 July 4 celebration, the public can text ESPJ4 to 888777 to opt in and receive emergency messages.
Plaza security will enforce its alcohol policy, which is consistent with all other events, and will not allow outside alcoholic beverages, hard-sided coolers, or glass containers to be brought onto the Plaza at any time of day. Alcohol will be served by vendors to adults with proper identification. The use of sparklers and fireworks is not permitted at the Empire State Plaza. All bags and backpacks will be subject to search. No animals or pets, except for ADA-defined service animals, will be allowed. The use of commercial or recreational unpiloted aircraft systems (drones) is prohibited.
For event updates, visit empirestateplaza.ny.gov, @EmpireStatePlaza on Facebook, and @Plazaevents on Instagram, or call (518) 474-4759.
Sponsors include Price Chopper and Market 32, CDTA, B 95.5, I LOVE NY, Decrescente Distributing Company, Renaissance Albany Hotel, Kiss 102.3, and 99.5 The River.
About Price Chopper/Market 32
Based in Schenectady, NY, Price Chopper/Market 32 operates 128 Price Chopper and Market 32 supermarkets and one Market Bistro, employing 16,000 teammates in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. The American-owned company, founded by the Golub family in 1932, prides itself on longstanding traditions of innovative food merchandising, cutting edge brand development and store design, leadership in community service, and cooperative employee relations. For additional information, please visit www.pricechopper.com
About OGS
Established in 1960, the Office of General Services (OGS) offers vital expertise and support to the New York State Government and its agencies in a cost-effective and equitable manner. Across our nine divisions, our nearly 1,900 employees facilitate state government operations while supporting the Legislature, Judiciary, local governments, eligible nonprofits, school districts, and public authorities. Our services allow the entities we serve to concentrate on their core missions.
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