South Holland adds the blues to this year's Fourth of July celebration

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

South Holland has added its first ever blues concert to its 77th annual Independence Day celebration at Veterans Memorial Park this year.

Jamiah on Fire (pictured), a trio consisting of three boys ranging in age from 8 to 13, will take the stage at 4:30 p.m. Monday at the park at 160th Place and South Park Avenue with its Tribute to Jimi Hendrix.

“They are small boys with a big sound,” says promoter Cal Spencer, who urged the village to add a blues concert to the agenda this year. “The drummer is only 11 and he’s so small you can’t see him sitting behind the drums.”

Jamiah will be followed at 5:30 p.m. by Jimme J and the Hard Drive Blues Band, who Spencer calls the King of Indiana Blues.

“Both groups have tremendous followings and fans are sure to pack the park,” says Spencer.

The celebration kicks off Sunday with an outdoor worship service at 6 p.m. at Veterans Park presented by the South Holland Ministerial Association.

A full day of events at the park begins at 7 a.m. Monday with check-in for the Rib Fest Cook-Off, which begins at 7:30 a.m. at Veterans Park. Judging will take place at 11:45 a.m.

Prayer at the Gates starts at 8 a.m. with prayer services being held at all entrances to the village.

Other events include a farmer’s market starting at 10 a.m., a softball game at 1:30 p.m. between village employees and the ministerial association and a giant water balloon fight at 2:30 p.m.

The South Holland Municipal Band will play a selection of patriotic songs leading up to the fireworks show at 9:10 p.m.

Food from Home Plate Grill including burgers, hot dogs, pizza, ice cream and soft drinks will be available from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information and a complete list of events and times, visit http://www.southholland.org/ and click on the community events tab.
Here's a video of Jamiah On Fire at Paris Delane's show, March 7, 2009 at The Morse Theater, Chicago.