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  Back by popular demand, the 100thArmy Band from Fort Knox, Ky., will not only lead the 37th annual GatlinburgFourth of July Midnight Parade parade, but will also showcase various sectionalgroups in free concerts on Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plazathroughout the day of July 4, culminating in a full band concert at 8:30 p.m.which ushers in Gatlinburg’s spectacular fireworks display atapproximately 10 p.m.

   Soldiers first, musicians second, the 100th ArmyBand has traveled the world to present its high-quality professional musicalentertainment. The band includes several combo components – a jazz band,brass quartet, rock band, and more. Each member of the band receives the samecombative training and is expected to have the same military abilitiesdemonstrated by other Army personnel.

    Several of the members have earned awards andhonors for their military skills and musical talents. Staff Sgt. (now WO1) ChadJ. Alward received the inaugural 2010 Col. Finley Hamilton Outstanding MilitaryMusician Award during a Feb. 13 ceremony at the 81st Regional Support Commandheadquarters. The award is given to the 10 best military musicians from allbranches of the armed forces. Alward was the only Army Reserve musicianselected for the honor.

     Each of the band’sJuly 4 performances at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plazawill be free-admission.

   Also performing on the Plaza during July 4 festivities will be the Burlington Teen Tour Band from Burlington, Ontario, Canada at 7p.m.