The City of Lincoln’s annual Uncle Sam Jam Independence Day celebration will take place Thursday, July 3 at Haymarket Park for the first time.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird spoke on the decision to relocate the annual event Wednesday on LNK Today with Jack and Friends, listing several benefits of moving the celebration.
“We’ve had a good long run at Oak Lake Park. The real reason we need to move is that we’ve got this new Sandhills Global Youth Complex built. The ball fields that are actually in the drop zone for fireworks if you stay at Oak Lake Park,” said Gaylor Baird. “We needed to protect that multi-million dollar asset. Our kids are using them this summer. We’ve got tournaments going out there, and we need those fields protected.”
The free event begins at 6 p.m., with live music at 7:15, a flag ceremony at 8:20, and fireworks at 10 p.m. The event is expected to draw thousands, with Haymarket Park able to accommodate up to 8,500 guests.
Gaylor Baird says parking was also a factor in the move.
“Traffic patterns in and out [of Oak Lake Park] are tight, not a lot of parking, so the parking available at Haymarket Park made it a really great choice, and we hope people come out,” Gaylor Baird said. “If for some reason we do reach capacity for parking, StarTran is going to provide free public shuttle service, leaving from several garages downtown, Haymarket Garage, Carriage Park, as well as the city county building.”
Funk-rock band Soul Dawg will provide live music, and a fireworks show presented by Lantis Fireworks will be synchronized to a music broadcast inside the stadium.
Food, drinks, and alcohol will be available for purchase. Guests may also view the fireworks from surrounding parking lots. Free StarTran shuttles will run from downtown parking garages and city lots from 5 to 11 p.m.
For event details, parking maps, and venue policies, visit lincoln.ne.gov/unclesamjam.