Annual Independence Day Festival will come early this year

Check your calendar closely.

This year’s Festival of America is coming Friday and Saturday, June 30 and July 1.

This year’s July 4 Independence Day holiday falls on Tuesday. Chamber of Commerce officials don’t think their annual festival would get good attendance if it were held on a Tuesday, as the work week is split in two.

But there are some real treats to come on the two new dates, the Friday and Saturday just before July 4:

The fireworks over the dam will fire off just after the Laser Light Show Saturday evening, about 10:30 p.m.

In the park below the Visitor Center at Grand Coulee Dam, there’s a full set of music performances both evenings.

Friday, June 30, tenor Joseph Saachi and mezzo-soprano Marija Bonsnar, with Michael Plagerman at the keyboard, will perform from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with the Spokane River Band performing from 7:45 to 9:45.

On Saturday, the 3D Band will kick off the music program, from 4:45 to 6:45, with Jesse Quandt performing from 7:45 to 9:45.

The Beer Garden returns to the Melody Restaurant site.

The park below the Visitor Center will be packed with arts and craft vendors and food stalls.

Remember to mark your calendar for the change of dates.

Watch for The Star’s special section next week.