AARP Montana Announces Sponsorship of the 15th Annual Symphony Under the Stars

Montanans across Big Sky Country invited to the largest free summer event in Montana;

Award-winning music of the Star Wars films comes to the Big Sky!  

AARP Montana is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the 15 ^th Annual Symphony Under the Stars concert event and fireworks show on Saturday, July 21 at 8:30 PM on the campus of Carroll College.

With this year’s theme of “Star Wars,” the Helena Symphony Orchestra will feature the award-winning music of the Star Wars films, composed by the legendary John Williams. Music will be chosen from all eight of the saga movies. The evening concludes with one of the best fireworks shows in Montana.

Considered the largest free summer event in Montana, the much-anticipated Symphony Under the Stars attracts over 16,000 people from all over the state of Montana and beyond.

“As a part of our ongoing support for the Helena community and the variety of arts it offers, AARP Montana is pleased to be a sponsor of this great Montana family tradition,” said AARP Montana State Director, Tim Summers.  “Folks from across Big Sky Country are invited to bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets to enjoy a magical evening filled with music, family and friends. The night culminates with the grand finale – a great fireworks show. We hope people will come see us at the AARP Montana tent where we will have free face painting, photo opportunities with life-size cutouts of Star Wars characters, fun games, giveaways and great prizes.”

“Symphony Under the Stars has become an important Montana tradition,” said Helena Symphony Music Director Allan R. Scott. “Carroll College and the Helena Symphony have committed to keeping this concert alive while offering it free of charge to the public. We are grateful to our headline sponsor, Helena Community Credit Union, along with all of our sponsors, for helping ensure the viability of an event that so many Montana families continue to make a part of their summer traditions.”

As part of its sponsorship, AARP Montana is offering free rides to concert-goers using golf carts. “People needing rides should just look for the Symphony Shuttle golf carts with the AARP signs on top and flag us down,” said Summers. “We will swing by to pick you up and give you a ride to the concert venue and after the event, we will give rides back to people's cars.”

As in years past, the concert will be one of the largest annual food drives for Helena Food Share. People are encouraged to bring cans of food to hold down their blankets, which can be placed beginning at 5 PM Friday, July 20.

This year, advanced blanket placement is allowed from 3 to 5 PM Friday, July 20, for those making a $5 cash donation to the Boy Scouts who will be on hand. They will mark the blankets of those who have donated (other early blankets will be removed.) The canned food and non-perishable foods used to hold blankets down (in lieu of rocks or stakes) will be collected by Helena Food Share during and after the concert. Last year, 17,200 pounds of food were collected.

For more information, log onto the Symphony Under the Stars website at: www.symphonyunderthestars.com

WHO:
Helena Community Credit Union
Helena Symphony
Carroll College
AARP Montana

WHAT:
The 15th annual Symphony Under the Stars Free Community Concert celebrating music of Star Wars.

AARP Montana tent will feature free face painting, photo opportunities with life-size cutouts of Star Wars characters, fun games, giveaways and great prizes.

AARP Montana will also provide the Symphony Shuttle transportation using golf carts.

WHEN:
Concert begins at 8:30 PM on Saturday, July 21
Concert grounds open to the public at 5:00 PM Friday, July 20
Advanced blanket placement is allowed from 3:00 to 5:00 PM Friday, July 20 for a $5 donation to the Boy Scouts.

WHERE:
Carroll College Guadalupe Lawn, 1601 N Benton Ave, Helena, MT 59625

MORE INFO:
www.symphonyunderthestars.com

PARKING DETAILS:

There is free parking at nearby city parking garages, or in the lots/streets on the south half of Carroll’s campus.  There is also free parking at Centennial Park, including the paved road around the ball fields.  Many people will park on the north side of the railroad tracks.  Use caution when crossing the tracks.

• Please do not drive/park on the walking trails in the park; do not drive/park on the grass.
• Be neighborly—please do not park in the residential areas west of campus. North Benton Avenue is reserved for busses between the entrances to Guad Hall and the PE Center.
• No parking in lots on the north or east sides of campus (reserved for musicians, volunteers, sponsors) without a SUTS parking pass.
• Free handicapped parking is available in the P.E. Center lot (must have proper tag or license plates). Golf carts driven by volunteers from AARP Montana will be available to shuttle people to the concert area (thanks to Bill Roberts Golf Course and Green Meadow Country Club for making golf carts available).
• Sponsor/donor parking is also available in the P.E. Center, as well as the stadium tailgate lots (must have SUTS parking pass). Passes will be mailed to sponsors/donors in early July.
• Drop-off areas will be on Benton Ave near the entrance to the Guad Hall lot, and at the P.E. Center lot.
• Drop-off areas are also available east of (behind) St. Charles Hall until 4 PM.
• The Benton Ave. drop-off will be closed at 4 PM on Saturday to allow for large bus parking.