27th Annual Firefall June 27, 2008

27th Annual Firefall featuring Josh Gracin and Johnny Lee set for June 28 in Springfield, Mo.
Springfield, Mo.— The Springfield-Greene County Park Board will host the 27th annual Firefall and Concert in the Sky© event on Saturday, June 28, on the grounds of the Springfield-Branson National Airport, in Springfield, Mo.
This year's Independence Day celebration will feature "American Idol" Season Two finalist and up-and-coming country recording artist Josh Gracin, along with long-time country artist Johnny Lee.
Josh Gracin got his start after the fourth-place finish on season two of FOX-TV's "American Idol." He had great success with his 2004 self-titled CD, which debuted three Top 5 singles, including his first #1, "Nothin' to Lose." "I Want To Live" and "Stay With Me (Brass Bed)" were also two chart toppers from the album. Now out of the military, Gracin released his most recent album, "We Weren't Crazy" in April 2008. The album focuses on Gracin's personal journey from childhood to raising children and having a family of his own. Gracin is scheduled to take the stage at 6 p.m.
Johnny Lee began a 10-year working relationship with Mickey Gilley in 1968, where he had moderate success with "Country Party." Lee's first screen role was in a 1979 television movie, "The Girls in the Office," staring Barbara Eden and Susan St. James. He then performed in the film "Urban Cowboy," starring John Travolta and Deborah Winger, recording several songs used in the movie's soundtrack. "Lookin' For Love" became Lee's first Gold Album, spending three weeks at the top of the Billboard Country Music Singles Charts. Lee has a long history of other #1 hits, TV appearances, performances, is a member of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, and still regularly tours. Lee is scheduled to take the stage at 8 p.m.
Other day entertainment includes local and regional bands, a children's play area, concessions, skydivers, and hot air balloons.
Gates open at noon, and the Concert in the Sky© featuring the Springfield Symphony with choreographed fireworks begins at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting. Parking fees are $4 for motorcycles; $10 for cars/vans/pickups; and $20 for RVs. City Utilities will provide shuttles departing from the Missouri Entertainment and Events Center (formerly Ozark Empire Fairgrounds) every 15 minutes between 4 and 8 p.m., and will return riders at the conclusion of the event. The CU Bus Transportation fee is the regular bus fare, plus $2 collected as riders board the bus. There will be no shuttle service from North Town Mall, due to continued construction.
Firefall is sponsored in part by Missouri Lottery, Travelers Insurance, KOLR10/KSFX Ozarks FOX, and Springfield News-Leader.
For a complete listing of event details, visit http://www.SpringfieldFireFall.com or call the Springfield-Greene County Park Board offices at (417) 864-1049.