For the third straight year, the Ohio Valley Symphony will help celebrate the Fourth of July with a free concert in Gallipolis City Park. 

Joining the OVS and music director Ray Fowler at 8 p.m. will be Deborah Henson-Conant, the "hip harpist" who will return to the area in October for the OVS's season opener at Point Pleasant Junior/Senior High School. It will be the first time an OVS soloist has appeared twice in the same year. 

"Aside from the fact that she's perfect for a July 4 event, I'm looking at it as an opportunity," said Fowler. "There are people who keep peeking into the Ariel and not quite cracking the door open. When they hear Deborah on July 4, though, they'll want to hear her again." 

Henson-Conant is a composer, performer, singer, songwriter, author, cartoonist, entertainer, comedian and electric harpist -- all rolled into one. She's put on a one-woman show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, opened for Ray Charles, toured with the Boston Pops and released a dozen albums from Latin jazz to Celtic to blues. 

She's also revolutionized her instrument with a custom-made, 36-string electric "harness harp." 

Topping off the concert again will be Tchaikovsky's beloved "1812" Overture, leading into fireworks. 

"We're thrilled to be able to be back for another Fourth of July concert," said Lora Lynn Snow, the orchestra's executive director. "It's a great time for the whole family, so bring some chairs and head to downtown Gallipolis." 

-- Thomas Consolo