Fourth of July blowout Friday at Point

BY TOM LAVIS The Tribune-Democrat A celebration of liberty and the recognition of members of the armed services are the key ingredients of Johnstown’s annual Independence Day celebration Friday at Point Stadium. The free concert, presented at 8 p.m. by the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, will be under the direction of Maestro Istvan Jaray. Jaray speaks passionately about the patriotic concert because he knows what it’s like to live in a country ruled by an oppressive government. Before becoming a U.S. citizen, the Hungarian-born Jaray grew up under the harshness of Communism and now respects the principles for which America stands. “Even standing on the podium, my heart is bursting with the gratefulness for what our servicemen and women have sacrificed to guarantee our freedom,” said Jaray in a telephone interview from Hungary,... [read full story]