Locals who want to celebrate their patriotism can head to the Maryland Heights Centre a few days before the Fourth of July. The City of Maryland Heights will host a concert on July 2 where the Air National Guard Band of Central States will perform one of its final shows.

Major John Arata, who directs the band, said the group will be decommissioned in September 2013 due to a realignment of manpower.

When word came of the decommission, Arata said the band looked for a user-friendly venue for one of the last performances and reached-out to the City of Maryland Heights about use of the community center.

Arata has served with the Band of Central States for the last decade. He said part of the band’s mission is to inform the public of the good work the Air National Guard does, as well as supporting military events like changes in command.

The July 2 concert will be a “farewell alumni” performance, Aratta said. Musicians who were members of the band previously will perform with the current personnel for a few songs.

Both the concert band and jazz band will perform at the July 2 concert. Arata said the jazz band will play compositions of Beattles songs, Earth, Wind and Fire tunes and some Big Band numbers.

The Maryland Heights performance won’t be the last time music fans can hear the Band of Central States perform. On July 3 small groups from the band are set to play at the citizenship and naturalization ceremonies at the St. Louis arch. The band is also set to perform at the Missouri Botanical Garden on July 4.

The Band of Central States’ Maryland Heights performance is set for 7 p.m. on July 2 at the Maryland Heights Centre.