The lineup’s impressive – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, America, Colin Raye.

Monday, July 02, 2001

The lineup’s impressive – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, America, Colin Raye. Add music and other festivities in Central Park, a Fourth of July parade and, of course, fireworks, and it becomes Summer Motion 2001.

The annual Ashland, Ky., festival officially began Saturday, but events kick into high gear tonight with the featured musical act.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band plays at 9:30 p.m., just after a performance by country siren Sonya Isaacs at 8 p.m. The concert takes place at the Ashland Riverfront.

Isaacs released her first solo country album last fall.

Originally a jug band who met at a guitar store, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was a complement of layabout hippies who turned into musical pioneers.

The group’s hits include "Mr. Bojangles," "American Dream," "Make A Little Magic," "Fire In The Sky," "Long Hard Road," "High Horse," "Modern Day Romance," and "Stand A Little Rain."

Folk rockers America and classic rock balladeers The Association take the stage 8 p.m. Tuesday night on the riverfront.

It may be hard to believe America pioneers Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell have been together for 27 great years. They’ve released 20 albums and continue to tour throughout the U.S. and the U.K., bringing their unique blend of rock, country and folk.

America’s hits include "Horse With No Name," "Ventura Highway," "Tin Man," "Daisy Jane," "Sister Golden Hair," "I Need You," and "You Can Do Magic."

The Association’s hits include "Never My Love," "Cherish," and "Along Comes Mary."

On Wednesday, the Fourth of July, the Summer Motion 10K will start at 8 a.m. in downtown – the first of the events leading to the city’s annual fireworks spectacular at 9:30 p.m.

Celebrating its 10th year, the Summer Motion 10K race is one of the Tri-State’s most popular running events, sponsored by King’s Daughters Medical Center and the Chesapeake, Ironton and Proctorville McDonald’s restaurants.

Before the 10K race begins, a free Fun Run takes place for children age 10 and under. Each participant receives an award, and advance registration is not necessary.

The 10K entry fee is $15. Registration forms are available at www.summermotion.com. Race day registration and packet pickup takes place from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. at the former American Electric Power Building.

For additional information about the event, contact race coordinator Lori Arthur at 1-606-833-2555.

At 11 a.m. Wednesday, the Independence Day Parade returns to downtown Ashland. The theme of this year’s Summer Motion Independence Day Parade is "A Salute to Freedom." The parade is sponsored by the Ashland Alliance.

The parade line-up and route are similar to the annual Christmas Parade. The line-up begins at 9 a.m. in the vicinity of 17th and Carter Ave. All parade participants must be in place by 10:30 a.m.

Country stars Collin Raye and Sherrie Austin, plus a patriotic fireworks show, highlight evening festivities at the riverfront:

– Sherrie Austin, 8 p.m.

– Patriotic Show, 9:15 p.m.

– Fireworks, 9:30 p.m.

– Collin Raye, 10 p.m.

Just how popular is Collin Raye? He’s landed ten number one singles and nine additional top ten hits. And four of his music videos are among CMT’s "Top 100 Videos of All Time."

Raye’s hits include "I Think About You," "One Boy, One Girl," "I Can Still Feel You," "Not That Different," "Little Rock," "In This Life," "Love Me," "That’s My Story," "Every Second," and "I Want You Bad (And That Ain’t Good)."

Summer Motion festivities in Ashland’s Central Park include health screenings, tasty treats in the food vending court, arts and crafts exhibits, carnival rides and games, Hillbilly Choo-Choo rides, as well as the attractions of the park itself such as Ashland’s oldest home.

For additional information, visit the Summer Motion website at www.summermotion.com.