LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Pops on the River returned for its 38th year! This special celebration was presented by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and sponsored by Orion Federal Credit Union. It happened on Monday, July 4 in downtown Little Rock in the River Market.
The festival began at 3:00p.m. and offered plenty of fun and free family entertainment, including a performance by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and it ended with a fantastic fireworks finale.
People were encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy in the festivities but they also offered limited seating within the amphitheater.
The gates to the First Security Amphitheater were open for various musical performances, including Nicky Parrish featuring the group Kemistri, followed by Rodney Block who took the stage prior to the Symphony’s performance.
The public was able to reserve amphitheater seating for $10 through the Pops on the River website.
The event also had giveaways for the first 100 military members that checked in with their military ID at the Arkansas Democrat Gazette booth.
“We are giving all military members, active, reserved or retired, who check in with us at the event a discount card that can be used at many of the food and drink vendors and marketplace merchants as a way of saying how much we appreciate what they do for us and our country,” said Amanda Copley, marketing and events director at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
For the little ones, the festival had children's train rides, as well as games, and they even had John Deering, cartoonist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette there to do fun caricatures.
There was plenty of fun activities for the adults which included various food trucks, vehicles on display, locally brewed beers and so much more.
The night wrapped up with a fantastic 4th of July fireworks celebration which blasted off from the Main Street Bridge at approximately 9:20p.m.
Fireworks, outside food and drinks, coolers or pets were not be allowed into the park.