[July 4th] Army Band to Play Free Independence Day Concert
The 440th United States Army Band of the North Carolina Army National Guard will perform a free concert live at Roanoke Island Festival Park in celebration of America’s birthday this Wednesday, July 4th.
With the traditional Independence Day festivities going on throughout the day along the waterfront in downtown Manteo, gates at Festival Park will open at 6pm this Wednesday, with the concert kicking off at 8, to be followed by the town’s annual fireworks display later that night.
Read on for full details on this event in the official press release below!
Pack up the lawn chairs, blankets and picnic and bring family and friends as the nation celebrates July 4th in the Outdoor Pavilion at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Fireworks will be provided by the Town of Manteo beginning at 9:30 p.m.
The 440th Army Band will begin their patriotic concert at 8 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. Parking will be available at the Park until the lot is full and in downtown Manteo. Handicap parking will be available at the Park. The celebration is free and open to the public.
The 440th Army Band has served as the State’s National Guard Band under several designations since the early 1900’s. The Band was activated in World War II as the 30th Infantry Division Band along with the rest of the North Carolina National Guard as the “Old Hickory Division.” The Band served with distinction landing on the beach at Normandy and fighting in theBattle of the Bulge for which the band carries honors awarded by France and Belgium.
The Band was re-designated the 440th Army Band in 1973. The Band performs for troops and their families and for the citizens of North Carolina at ceremonies, public concerts, and parades. As the 440th Army Band, the Band has performed two concert tours in the Virgin Islands, and toured Guatemala, Morocco, Costa Rica, and Italy. Since September 11, 2001 the Band has performed over 400 ceremonies for deploying and returning North Carolina National Guardsmen and their families.
The 440th Army Band is comprised of citizen soldiers who in civilian life are college students, educators, business men and women, and professional people. The Band has earned numerous awards including Outstanding North Carolina National Guard unit and has earned the Eisenhower trophy three times as an outstanding Army unit.
The 440th currently has 43 members and is commanded by Warrant Officer 1 Brent M. Harvey who in civilian life is a Professor of Music at Winston-Salem State University and also teaches at Pfeiffer University in Charlotte, NC.
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