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Children’s Halloween Party will be drive-through this year

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The Children’s Halloween Party hosted by the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will be a drive-through event this year.

The Children’s Halloween Party (Halloween Hollow) is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 29. It will begin at the field on the west side of Alvin K. Bissell Park and end at the parking area on the west side of the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

It’s a drive-through event because of COVID-19.

“Event participants will be able to enjoy Halloween scenes and pick up pre-ordered T-shirts, and children four years old to 4th grade will receive treats,” a press release said.

Employees and volunteers will sanitize frequently and be required to wear masks or face coverings when approaching a car and when within six feet of another person, the press release said. Any participants who want to come in to view the spooky scenes and receive treats will also be required to wear masks or face coverings, the release said.

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Christmas Tree Lighting is Friday in Oak Ridge

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The Christmas Tree is pictured in a previous year in Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department has updated plans for the annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting scheduled for Friday, December 6. The event will now begin at 6 p.m. in Alvin K. Bissell Park. That is 30 minutes earlier than previously announced.

The order of events has also been updated so that the tree lighting kicks off the event in the Secret City Commemorative Walk area on the east side of the Oak Ridge Public Library parking lot. At the conclusion of the tree lighting, participants will proceed to the outdoor pavilion stage located behind the Oak Ridge Civic Center for holiday music and refreshments. 

The entire program will take place outside in the park (weather permitting). Guests are encouraged to dress appropriately. In the event of rain, the music program will take place in the Civic Center’s Shep Lauter Room (gymnasium), a press release said.

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New Senior Center opens Thursday

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The front of the new Oak Ridge Senior Center is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The new Oak Ridge Senior Center opens today (Thursday, September 26) in Alvin K. Bissell Park in central Oak Ridge.

The new Senior Center was scheduled to open at 9 a.m. Normal operating hours were scheduled to resume Thursday, and so were most activities.

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department called it a “soft opening.” Oak Ridge municipal officials are planning a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony for later, and details will be announced soon, a press release said.

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Oak Ridge Community Band has ‘Best In Summer’ concert Sunday

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Oak Ridge Community Band Concert

The Oak Ridge Community Band is pictured above performing at Alvin K. Bissell Park. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Community Band will perform during a concert at Alvin K. Bissell Park on Sunday, August 4.

It’s the band’s third concert of the summer.

The concert will start at 7 p.m. Sunday.

The Community Band will perform a “Best of Summer” program, which will include swing, jazz, show tunes, and marches. There is no admission fee for the summer concerts, although donations are gratefully accepted to help with expenses, a press release said. [Read more…]

Travelin’ McCourys and Circus No. 9 perform Saturday

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The Travelin’ McCourys and Circus No. 9 will perform Saturday, July 13, 2019, for the next Summer Sessions concert event presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union. (Photo courtesy ORNL Federal Credit Union)

The Travelin’ McCourys and Circus No. 9 will perform this Saturday, July 13, for the next Summer Sessions concert event presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union.

“Grammy Award winners The Travelin’ McCourys bring excitement and energy to all their performances with their mix of traditional and progressive bluegrass music,” a press release said. “East Tennessee’s own Circus No. 9 blurs the lines between bluegrass, jazz, and rock. The electrifying performances of The Travelin’ McCourys and Circus No. 9 are not to be missed!”

Summer Sessions is a free concert series for the community featuring bluegrass and American bands from throughout the region. 

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Photos: July 4 fireworks

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The annual fireworks show was in Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on Thursday, July 4, 2019. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

The annual fireworks show was in Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on Thursday. The Oak Ridge Community Band performed before the fireworks.

Here are photos by Julio Culiat and D. Ray Smith.

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Reminder: Fireworks tonight in A.K. Bissell Park

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Fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2017. (File photo by D. Ray Smith)

A reminder: The annual fireworks show in Oak Ridge is in Alvin K. Bissell Park tonight (Thursday, July 4).

The fireworks show is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge to celebrate Independence Day.

Today’s fireworks are expected to begin after dark at about 9:45 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Community Band, now in its 75th year, will perform before the fireworks. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses, a press release said. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. WMYL 96.7 Merle FM will be live following the band performance and will broadcast the soundtrack for the fireworks display.

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Community Band has July 4 concert, followed by fireworks show

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The Oak Ridge Community Band performs at the July 4 concert in 2018. (Photo by Bill Dodge)

The Oak Ridge Community Band will have its annual Independence Day concert on Thursday, July 4, at Alvin K. Bissell Park. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., and it will mark the 75th anniversary of the Community Band’s first concert, which was held on July 4, 1944.

“Come early, bring chairs or blankets for outdoor seating, and enjoy the music and fireworks,” a press release said. Refreshments will be available for sale.

This is a free event, the press release said. However, donations are appreciated to help offset band expenses.

The Community Band’s July 4 performance is a family-friendly event, and it provides an excellent opportunity to relax and enjoy a fun evening of music and fireworks, the press release said. [Read more…]

Fireworks are July 4 in A.K. Bissell Park

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Oak Ridge fireworks are July 4 in Alvin K. Bissell Park. The Independence Day fireworks show is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge, and it is expected to begin after dark at approximately 9:45 p.m. July 4, 2019. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

Oak Ridge fireworks are July 4 in Alvin K. Bissell Park. The Independence Day fireworks show is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge, and it is expected to begin after dark at approximately 9:45 p.m. July 4.

The Oak Ridge Community Band, now in its 75th year, will perform prior to the fireworks. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses, a press release said. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. WMYL 96.7 Merle FM will be live following the band performance and will broadcast the soundtrack for the fireworks display, the press release said.

“Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating,” the release said. “A safety zone will be established by the Oak Ridge Fire Department. Please sit only in the designated areas.”

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ORNL Federal Credit Union to host free bluegrass/Americana concerts

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ORNL Federal Credit Union will continue its free concert series in Oak Ridge this summer. The concerts will feature bluegrass and American bands from throughout the region, a press release said. The musicians will include Jim Lauderdale and Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, among others.

The series kicks off in June and will continue through September, a press release said. All concerts will be held from 6-9 p.m. at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge.

The first show will be held on Saturday, June 15, and it will feature legendary songwriter Jim Lauderdale and his band, along with East Tennessee native Steve Gulley and his band, New Pinnacle, the press release said.

“The community is invited to bring their lawn chairs and their friends and family for an evening of free Americana roots music,” the press release said. Local food truck vendors and Oak Ridge’s own Crafter’s Brew will be on site, the release said.

Future concerts will be held on the following Saturdays: 

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Secret City Festival is Friday, Saturday

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Secret City Festival (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The two-day Secret City Festival on Friday and Saturday will feature music, food, history, science, and much more, a press release said.

The festival is hosted by the City of Oak Ridge and presented by Celebrate Oak Ridge. It will be in Alvin K. Bissell Park from 10 a.m. until about 11 p.m. on Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8.

The festival showcases Oak Ridge’s unique role in American history and scientific innovation with various events and activities for the entire family to enjoy.

Musical headliners at the concerts will include iconic rock bands Loverboy, performing on Friday, June 7, and 38 Special, performing on Saturday, June 8. Tickets for each concert are available online. The festival is free to attend, but concert-goers must purchase a ticket.

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A.K. Bissell Park playground temporarily closed

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department has temporarily closed Alvin K. Bissell Park Playground due to a partially fallen tree nearby, the City of Oak Ridge said Thursday, April 18, 2019. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department has temporarily closed Alvin K. Bissell Park Playground due to a partially fallen tree nearby. The playground will remain closed until crews are able to safely remove the tree, a press release said.

Safety fencing has been installed around the playground, and signs have been posted to notify the public of the closure, the press release said.

“All residents and visitors should avoid the area until further notice,” the release said.

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