Double the boom

It’s double the boom for Independence Day.

“America’s Most West Freedom Fest” will explode in celebration of the nation’s birthday on July 3 at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai’s Westside.

The second event, The Kauai Hospice annual Concert in the Sky, will launch in Lihue on July 4.

Boom and bam! Both should be light-up-the-night kinds of parties.

Gates to PMRF will open at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 3 for the event near Shenanigans restaurant. At 9:45 p.m., a 17-minute fireworks show will illuminate the night.

The free event will also feature the sounds of Hawaii bands, including The Bootleggers, Hoaikane, Ekolu and Greenstone Project. Games, rides, food and craft booths will also bring the celebration to life. 

Food, fun and games are on tap for the Concert in the Sky event, including popular Hawaii musical artist Anuhea. It will be the 25th anniversary of the celebration made possible by the work of more than 700 volunteers. Last year the concert drew more than 6,000 revelers.

“For many people this is their first exposure to Kauai Hospice,” said Tricia Yamashita, operations director for Kauai Hospice. “We consider it to be our major fundraiser.”

Billed as a “friend-raiser,” the gates to Vidinha Soccer Field in Lihue will open at 4 p.m. July 4 with entertainment sponsored by DuPont Pioneer. Anuhea will serve as the headlining special performance with the Tsunami Taiko Drums and Paradox Lockdown on tap for the early evening entertainment. Other musical talent will include the rock band Group Therapy, the smooth sounds of Ivo Monroe Miller and the musical jamming of the Greenstone Project. 

The cornerstone of the friend-raiser will be a 3-D 20-minute aerial fireworks show sponsored by King Auto Center.

“It will be the largest fireworks show compared to our neighbor islands,” Yamashita said. “It’s a 3-D show since we will be launching from three different sites and it will create a 3-D effect.” 

Benefit drawings include a trip for two anywhere on Alaska Airlines, a Las Vegas trip for two and a handmade quilt from Connie Amundson and Jeni Hardy, valued at $2,000. There is also a keiki Fun Zone, water slides, bounce houses and plenty of ono food from Kauai’s top resorts and restaurants.

Ticket prices are $10 for adults in advance, $5 for keiki 6 to 12 years of age and free for keiki under the age of 5. Tickets are currently available until July 3 at Kauai Hospice, Times Supermarket and all Big Save Markets. Ticket prices at the gate on July 4 are $15 for adults and $7 for keiki ages 6 to 12 years of age. Gates will open at 4 p.m. No bottles, cans or other beverage containers will be allowed. No alcohol, tents or pets will be permitted in the event or parking area. It is a non-smoking event. For more information about parking and the event visit www.kauaihospice.org/kauai-concert-in-the-sky. Kauai Hospice is located at 4457 Pahee Street, Lihue.

For more information about the PMRF event call 335-4446. Due to increased security requirements at PMRF, adult visitors are asked to have a valid photo identification card with them. Children under the age of 18 are not required to have identification. Guests should enter the base through the south gate entrance just before Mile Marker 29 off Kaumualii Highway. Direction signs will be posted and security will direct traffic. Free parking will be available on base and visitors are reminded that all vehicles will be subject to search. No outside food or beverages, coolers, tents, pets, weapons (including knives of all types), drugs or personal fireworks are allowed.