March 20, 2008
For Immediate Release
For an Interview:
Megan Laurie
(801) 863-7149
UVSC today announced the final plans for the UVUphoria Grand Celebration slated for June 30 in conjunction with UVSC’s official transition to Utah Valley University the following day. Country stars Josh Gracin, Collin Raye and Joe Nichols will headline the celebration and perform at the Brent Brown Ballpark at 7 p.m.
The concert, which will be the culminating event of the evening, will also feature Johnny B as MC and will open with the “UVU’s Got Talent” finalists. At approximately 10 p.m., a fireworks show will be displayed to close the concert.
But the music isn’t the only thing making June 30 a night to remember. Festivities kick-off with a rare Orem Owlz day game at 11:30 a.m. at the Brent Brown Ballpark. Beginning at 1 p.m., the public will have its first opportunity to tour the new 190,000 square foot library. The library showcase will run through 6:30 p.m.
There will also be a UVU Family Fun Fest starting at 5 p.m. at Pace Park (just south of the McKay Events Center). Local vendors, food, entertainment, booths, face painting, balloon art and more will be sure to entertain every member of the family.
For those still in the mood to celebrate, there will be a dance in the Grande Ballroom that will feature a countdown to UVU when the clock strikes midnight.
Tickets for the concert, which is sponsored by K-Bull 93, will go on sale to the general public Friday, March 28 and are $9.33 for adults, $5 for children. Package deals for both the concert and Owlz baseball game will be available for $15. There will be a presale beginning March 21 for all Utah Valley University students, alumni and employees for $5 per ticket (Owlz game/concert package for $10). Tickets can be purchased at the McKay Events Center, (801) 863-SHOW (7469) or 1-888-844-7469, www.mckayeventscenter.com and at all Smith-Tix outlets. Officials estimate the capacity of Brent Brown Ballpark to be 15,000, so seating will be limited.
Dubbed one of the true “hitmakers” of the early 1990’s, five of Collin Raye’s albums have gone platinum. He’s also had 25 Top Ten hits, 15 No. 1 smashes and 12 chart-topping videos. Josh Gracin first caught the nation’s attention during American Idol’s second season. Gracin is one of only two new country artists in recent times to release a debut album with three Top-five country hits (including the No. 1 hit “Nothin’ to Lose”). Joe Nichols, a 30-year-old native of Rogers, Ark., is well-known for his 2005 hit, “I’ll Wait for You.” His new album,“Real Things,” features the hit single, “It Ain’t No Crime.”
“We are excited about becoming a university July 1,” said Val Hale, vice president for advancement at UVSC and chair of the UVUphoria committee. “And we are thrilled to share our excitement with the community. This will be an evening that not only celebrates UVSC becoming UVU, but will hopefully be an event that brings our community together in a way that only a new university can. This is truly a once in a lifetime experience.”
For more information about other events included as part of UVUphoria, visit http://resource.uvsc.edu/uvuphoria or click on the links from our home pages, www.uvsc.edu or www.uvu.edu.
Tuesday, July 1 will formally mark Utah Valley University’s first
official day of operation. The grand opening and ribbon cutting for
the new library will take place that morning. UVSC’s Wasatch Campus
located in Heber City will also hold a celebration the evening of
Monday, June 23.
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