The High Foundation has generously sponsored the New Holland Band's Concerts in the Parks Initiative beginning with a 4th of July concert in the New Holland Community Memorial Park. For the New Holland Band, it is a tradition that dates to July 1942, when the ensemble, then called the Victory Band, held their first performance at the New Holland Community Swimming Pool. The ensemble, esteemed as the 2nd oldest community band in the nation, continues that tradition on July 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Memorial Park located at 400 East Jackson Street in New Holland. Lawn chairs and blankets are recommended. For more information visit www.newhollandband.org.

The performance will include patriotic favorites such as "America, the Beautiful", "American Salute", and "The Stars and Stripes Forever". Broadway gets a nod with Selections from The Music Man and the featured solo for the concert will be Richard Fitz performing Billy Joel's "Root Beer Rag". Concluding the program will be the traditional 4th of July concert-closer, Tchaikovsky's "1812" Overture.

The next concert in the series is scheduled for August 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ephrata Bandshell in the Thomas P. Grater Community Park.