Who’s Playing at the Empire State Plaza for the Fourth of July?

The annual Fabulous Fourth Festivities & Fireworks celebration on July 4 at Albany’s Empire State Plaza is simply Nippertown’s biggest annual mass-gathering each year. Of course, the main attraction is the spectacular fireworks display that ignites the sky after dark, but there are plenty of free musical performances and other attractions to keep the ever-growing crowd entertained throughout the day.

In 2010, the Fab Fourth featured Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone (really? A British Invasion band headlining the American Independence Day festivities?!?), and last year, there was no national headliner for the big celebration. This year it looks as though there’s a retro-rock headliner once again… and it’s an American band this time around.

“I Think We’re Alone Now”…
“Hanky Panky”…
“Crystal Blue Persuasion”…
“Mony, Mony”…
“Crimson and Clover”…
“Draggin’ the Line”…
“Sweet Cherry Wine”…
“Gettin’ Together”…
“Miarge” (the official closing theme of the late, great 288 Lark)

Yes, although there’s been no official announcement yet from the New York State Office of General Services or sponsoring corporation Price Chopper, Tommy James & the Shondells have announced on their Facebook Fanpage that they’ll be cranking out their long string of 1960’s hits on the Empire State State Plaza on Wednesday, July 4.

See you there?