A few hundred Americans – most of them Morgan County residents – put away any differences they may have had for a few hours on July 3 and gathered on the lawn of the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center on Foster Street and S. Main Street to celebrate Independence Day with a picnic and concert.
Uncle Sam himself (rumored to be Madison City Councilman Eric Joyce in disguise) even made an appearance, despite temperatures in the neighborhood of 90 degrees.
The Classic City Band, conducted by Michael Brewer, entertained guests with a variety of patriotic music, including traditional favorites from John Phillip Souza, and even found a way to work in some music from the film “Independence Day,” an all too-appropriate selection.
The Classic City Band is the oldest continuously functioning community band in Georgia, according to classiccityband.org.
“Founded in 1976 for the purposes of preserving the rich cultural heritage of the American concert band, this non-profit organization gives free concerts throughout the year in Athens, Georgia, and surrounding communities. The band’s repertoire includes all types of music: marches, jazz, pop, show tunes, excerpts from operas and musicals, as well as traditional and classical selections.”