Globe Trotting
Free concerts on the sand abound at the New Jersey shoreline this time of year. Two of the biggest will take place in Atlantic City, where country star Blake Shelton performs July 31, and Lady Antebellum follows Aug. 3.
Iowa’s ties to Tinseltown displayed
DES MOINES, Iowa » Academy Awards won by actresses Cloris Leachman and Donna Reed as well as items from John Wayne’s movie career will go on display at an exhibit of Hollywood memorabilia from Iowa natives opening Friday, Gov. Terry Branstad announced.
"Hollywood in the Heartland" will debut at the State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines with actor Tom Arnold, an Ottumwa native, discussing his moviemaking experiences.
The 6,400-square-foot exhibit of Hollywood memorabilia will include Academy Awards won by Leachman and Reed, both Iowa natives. Items from other Iowa-born actors including John Wayne, Ashton Kutcher, Brandon Routh and Arnold are on display.
Sculpture re-creates July 4, 1776
RAPID CITY, S.D. » Rapid City’s newest tourism attraction opened June 15.
Founding Fathers Black Hills says it houses the world’s only life-size sculpture of the painting "Declaration of Independence" inside a reproduction of Philadelphia’s historic Independence Hall.
Visitors can see 47 original sculptures and listen to a presentation about the American Revolution leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A replica of the Liberty Bell that was cast at the same French foundry as the original bell is scheduled to arrive soon.
The attraction is six miles south of Rapid City on the road to Mount Rushmore.
Visit foundingfathersblackhills.com.
Trails close for improvements
ZION NATIONAL PARK, Utah » The National Park Service has started part-time closures on popular Zion National Park trails as they work to improve the paths.
The Hidden Canyon Trail and portions of the East Rim and Observation Point trails will be closed Mondays through Thursdays through the end of the summer. Concrete pours are planned for Mondays or Tuesdays, and the additional closure days allow the concrete to dry before the weekend.
Crews are also planning to repair retaining walls on the Hidden Canyon Trail later this summer, and work on the Canyon Overlook Trail is set for September and October.
