The North Carolina Symphony will present classic American favorites to celebrate Independence Day and the 250th anniversary of Fayetteville on July 1 at Festival Park.

The celebration begins at 8 p.m., with a special posting of the colors by the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry. Mayor Anthony G. Chavonne and elected offi cials will read a 250th anniversary proclamation.

“The Fayetteville 250th celebration is an opportunity for our citizens to celebrate and commemorate our 250 years as a city, which is an exciting occasion for the community,” Mayor Tony Chavonne said. “Starting July 1 with the N.C. Symphony event, the community can participate in events that not only celebrate and commemorate the city’s sestercentennial, but educate residents about Fayetteville’s history. The sale of commemorative edition Fayetteville 250th coins offers citizens the ability to purchase a keepsake to forever remember this special time in Fayetteville’s history.”

The purpose of the 250th anniversary celebration is to celebrate, educate and commemorate. Fayetteville is planning a series of events between July 1 and November 3 that will allow citizens to come together and celebrate, to take advantage of the various historical tours designed to educate the citizens on Fayetteville’s rich history and occasions for the community to come together and commemorate this milestone. There will be events to spark the wide range of interest of the community such as architectural tours. The Independence Day concert is one of many events to come.

“The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is proud to partner with the City of Fayetteville and Reed-Lallier Chevrolet to present this community’s Independence Day celebration. The North Carolina Symphony will perform patriotic music in Festival Park followed by glorious fi reworks. It promises to be an exciting evening for the whole family!” said Mary Kinney, marketing director, Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

The Indepedence Day concert will present a good, old-fashioned salute to the red, white and blue with patriotic favorites and high-spirited classics honoring the U.S.A. on its birthday. Eager concertgoers will have the best seats for some of the state’s biggest Fourth of July firework displays. This concert is part of the Concerts in Your Community, a gift to the people of North Carolina to launch the Symphony’s 80th year of service to the state. With 80 years of experience, the N.C. Symphony knows how to put on a show.

Music Director Grant Llewellyn is known throughout the world as a musician of great talent, versatility and passion. Llewellyn has brought “transcendent performances” with his “graceful and expressive direction.”

This free concert celebration will include patriotic and tried and true American favorites. The line up includes: “The Star-Spangled Banner”, “Semper Fidelis March”, “South Pacifi c: Symphonic Scenario”, “American Eagle Waltz”, “Superman March”, “Hymn to the Fallen” from Saving Private Ryan, “Servicemen on Parade”, “Olympic Fanfare”, “The Dam Busters March”, “A Trumpeter’s Lullaby”, “American Fantasie” and “Sing Along, America!”

The performance of these songs are sure to spark a note within the hearts of Fayetteville’s community and instill a stronger pride to be American. Enjoy the light-hearted beats and powerful songs that were the anthems this great country was built on. Not only can the community take pride in being American this Independence Day, citizens can also take pride in living in Fayetteville. Fayetteville is a unique place with a rich history all it’s own.

In 1775, a group of 55 local patriots met in Cross Creek, present day Fayetteville, to sign what has commonly become known as the Liberty Resolves, a document, which pledged their lives and fortunes in the furtherance of American Independence.

Fayetteville was the birth place of many history-making decisions. During the convention of 1789 held in Fayetteville, leaders ratified the U.S. Constitution, chartered the first public university and ceded her western lands to form the state of Tennessee.

The history of Fayetteville is a complex one. Cumberland County was formed in 1754 from Bladen County and the first courthouse was established in present day Linden. In 1756, John Newberry built a gristmill near present day Green Street and Maiden Lane. The mill became a genesis for the village of Cross Creek, which developed in the area of present day downtown Fayetteville. Although Cross Creek was never officially chartered, in 1762 the colonial general assembly charters land on the west side of the Cape Fear River and named the 100 acres Campbellton. By virtue of this official charter in 1762, Fayetteville is celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2012. The town of Fayetteville received its name later. In 1778, Cross Creek and Campbellton combined as Upper and Lower Campbellton. Finally, in 1783 Upper and Lower Campbellton were joined to create Fayetteville.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, numbered, limited-edition 250th anniversary coins will be sold. One side bears the city seal in the center surrounded by the words “Fayetteville 1762-2012 Sestercentennial” The reverse side features ripples, symbolic of the Cape Fear River and a long leaf pine, both pivotal resources in the development of Fayetteville.

Each coin is numbered 1- 250 and is displayed in a special wood presentation box with the 250th anniversary logo on the lid. The coin comes with a certifi cate of authenticity signed by the mayor. Reservations to purchase the coins can be made beginning July 1 at the N.C. Symphony concert. The coins sell for $75. The money raised from the coins will go to fund a lasting tribute to the 250th anniversary.
After July 1, the 250th anniversary coins can be purchased at the Fayetteville Transportation and Local History Museum located at 325 Franklin St. in downtown Fayetteville. Citizens are asked to call before coming to the museum to purchase a coin. The museum staff can be reached by calling 433-1457, 433-1458 or 433-1944.

Be a part of this historical celebration by attending the Independence Day concert brought to you by the N.C. Symphony and be on the look out for events to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Fayetteville.

Photo: Reservations for this 250th Anniversay commemorative coin can be made July 1, during the Symphony concert.