The evening’s festivities begin at 6 PM Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets with start at 7 P.M., with musical entertainment on the main stage which will be located along Kirby Ave between First & Oak Streets. There will also be children’s activities (bounce house/inflatables). Parking is available in the State Farm Center SE Parking Lot and Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) parking lots, and around research park. Following the music, at around 9:00 p.m., there will be some announcements & presentations. After the announcements, there will be the singing of our National Anthem, an invocation, and then the retiring of our nations flag by a color guard. Immediately following, the always entertaining fireworks display. Drones are not permitted; the area is a no-fly zone for drones.
The Freedom Celebration Fireworks Location
The launch location will be lot E-14 west of the State Farm Center.
Once again this year, we will have a spectacular fireworks display! Pyrotecnico will treat us to a show they have carefully choreographed and synchronized with a custom soundtrack. They’ve put together some great shows for us in the past and this year is sure to be no different!
The fireworks will begin at dusk, approximately 9:15 PM. Should inclement weather affect the scheduled start time of the fireworks, in the interest of safety and public enjoyment, the Board of Directors and Committee will attempt to make a decision as to whether to delay the fireworks to a more advantageous time. Every attempt will be made to make this decision as early as possible to notify the public of any changes. Should a delay be required, all local media will be notified of the change.
Be sure to come early and sit close to the stage. You will be entertained by this year’s live band and when the evening show is completed, this is the best way to hear the synchronized music track. Should you find yourself out of range of the stage, be sure to bring a radio and you can hear the fireworks music on NewsTalk1400 WDWS AM and Lite Rock 97.5 WHMS. We would like to remind you, that This is a NO DRONE ZONE. If caught using a drone could result in a fine.
Musical Entertainment: Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets
GOOD CLEAN AMERICAN FUN
CAPTAIN RAT AND THE BLIND RIVETS have been legends since 1980 for their high energy 50’s and 60’s rock’n’roll show, bursting with humor and satire. Featuring props, silly hats, funny faces, zany antics and – of course!- great rock’n’roll expertly performed, it is great American music and FUN-FUN-FUN for everyone!
Specializing in American music of the era: Beach Boys, The Monkees, Elvis, Rascals, Turtles, The Ventures, Roy Orbison, Rightous Brothers, Buddy Holly, Steppenwolf and all manner of surf songs and car tunes – the band chooses the right song for each moment from a repertoire of over 300 songs from the greatest era in American popular music.
Based in Champaign and Chicago, Illinois, CAPTAIN RAT AND THE BLIND RIVETS has brought their spectacular family-oriented show to more than a million people, performing in Wrigley and Soldier Fields, Memorial Stadium, the Chicago Air and Water Show, Navy Pier-Chicago, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, and Atlantis Paradise Island Resort and Casino in Nassau, Bahamas.
The current line-up features five outstanding musicians: Tim Vear, a/k/a ”Timmy Ray”, vocals and guitar; (1980-present), Roger Prillaman, a/k/a “Todd Modern”, keyboards, trumpet and vocals; (1981-present), Terry “The Hawk” Hawkins, drums and vocals, (August, 2023-present); “Dr. Dee” Pearson on bass and vocals, (May 2025-present) and Darren “Coop De Ville” Cooper (May, 2025 – present). The excellent harmonies shine on Beach Boys songs and a capella numbers, the playing is always tight and energetic and the band members encourage audience participation by moving into the crowd using wireless transmitters. Our guys blend experience, spontaneity and group chemistry to transform every show into a festival, the crowd always a part of the dancing, singing and laughter.
To ensure the best time for everyone, CAPTAIN RAT AND THE BLIND RIVETS provides a professional stage set-up, that includes concert-level lighting and sound. Fans are kept informed by tuning into captainratandtheblindrivets.com.
We hope that you soon have a chance to enjoy the experience that is CAPTAIN RAT AND THE BLIND RIVETS! NON-STOP FUN-FUN-FUN FOR EVERYONE!
Captain Rat and The Blind Rivets has played nearly 2,000 action-packed, fun-filled gigs!
CAPTAIN RAT AND THE BLIND RIVETS has released three records and has been featured on a CD compilation and video releases.
SOME PEOPLE WE’VE PERFORMED WITH:
- The Association
- Jason and the Scorchers
- Sawyer Brown Band
- Spinal Tap
- Tommy James and the Shondells
- Carl Wilson (Beach Boys)
- Marshall Tucker
- 1964-The Tribute
- American English
PAST BELOVED MEMBERS AND NOTABLE PARTICIPANTS:
…and many more.
-Mark B. Rubel (bass, vocals): 1980 – March, 2024 (R.I.P.)
-Jeff “Buster B. Dordaun” Evans (drums, vocals): 1987-August, 2023 (R.I.P.)
-Tary Powers, a/ka/ “Bart Bartonia on the Saxophonia”
-William “Richard Cabal” Janssen (sax and vocals)
-“Cody Lee” Sokolski a/k/a Dario Cohen (2024-2025)
Other Presenters/Performers
MC: Diane Ducey
National Anthem: Crystal McCullough – Executive and Worship Pastor – Meadowbrook Community Church
Invocation: TBA
Taps: TBA
Honor Guard: Champaign Fire Department
Map
Song Selections
| Song Title | Artist |
| Liberty Fanfare | John Williams |
| Living In America | James Brown |
| America | Imagine Dragons |
| Bottle Rockets in the Sky | Scotty McCreary |
| God Bless the USA (Rock Version) | Lee Greenwood |
| Armed Forces Medley | US Coast Guard Band |
| More Than a Flag | Brandon Davis |
| Red White Blue Jean American Dream | Kip Moore |
| Fourth of July | Fall Out Boy |
| Stars and Stripes Forever | John Phillip Sousa |
| Fly Over States | Jason Aldean |
| Philadelphia Freedom | Elton John |
| USA | Filmore |
| 1812 Overture | Tchaikovsky |
Updated 05/13/2026
