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The nationally renowned Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps will provide an impressive soundtrack for Eagle Point’s Fourth of July festivities this year. Mayor Bob Russell announced this week that the 154-member group would perform during the city’s parade and fireworks events at the 2018 Eagle Point Independence Day “Welcome to the Neighborhood” celebration. The Eagle Point Chamber of Commerce’s usual roundup — from a Boy Scouts pancake breakfast and a street fair in the downtown to an old-fashioned parade and Avenue of the Flags run — will still fill the downtown with activity Wednesday. The energetic sounds of the drum and bugle corps will tie it all together, said the mayor. “The group is big enough that it stretches the entire length of the parade route. These are folks who compete nationally. They’ll be here practicing the day or two before the Fourth and agreed to perform,” Russell said. “We’re absolutely tickled to have them here and have them perform for us.” Already planning to compete July 5 with DCI (Drum Corps International) at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, the group was being hosted at Eagle Point High School. Despite planning for three days of 12-hour practice sessions, Russell said, the group didn’t hesitate to sign on for the parade and fireworks performances. Ricky Grasso, the Blue Knights tour director, said the group wanted to show its thanks for the city’s hospitality. The parade steps off at 11 a.m., and the performances leading up to the fireworks show kick off around 6:30 p.m. Founded in 1958 as a parade corps, the Blue Knights have been a DCI (Drum Corps International) world championship finalist multiple times. The corps is known for its dark-sounding musical programs and strong use of body movement. The Blue Knights organization also offers a winter brass ensemble that performs throughout the Denver area, two competitive indoor marching percussion ensembles, and “Stampede,” the official drum line of the NFL’s Denver Broncos. Grasso said the group’s four-day stop in the Rogue Valley is part of a 30-state tour happening from June through August. Blue Knights performers camp out on buses and gymnasium floors as some 200 players, volunteers and support staff trek across the country. “We have shows all the way from the Pacific Northwest to California and from Texas to New York. We bounce around all corners of the United States, and we have over 150 members who represent 30 of the United States and three different countries,” Grasso said. “We have some of the most talented performers in the world for marching music. We’re always happy for the chance to perform.” Independence Day events in Eagle Point include The Boy Scouts pancake breakfast at 7 a.m.; Avenue of Flags 5K and 1-mile fun run at 8 a.m.; the parade at 11 a.m.; community show and lawn mower races at 6:30 p.m.; parachute jumpers at 10:15 p.m.; and fireworks at 10:30 p.m. The stadium opens at 6 p.m. for early seating and carnival games. Live music will be provided by local country band Billy Lund and Whiskey Weekend. Find additional details at www.eaglepointchamber.org/events-calendar/entry-forms/ Reach freelance writer Buffy Pollock at [email protected]