SOUTH BEND — Bob Dylan announced his summer tour dates Friday afternoon, and he, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp will perform at 5:30 p.m. July 4 at Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium.

The announcement was made Friday at Coveleski by representatives of Jam Productions of Chicago, Pacific Coast Concerts of South Bend and Malibu, Calif., and the South Bend Silver Hawks, the Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate that plays at Coveleski.

"This should be, by any standard, the biggest rock concert in the history of South Bend, Indiana, with three top artists all on the same stage on the Fourth of July with fireworks," Pacific Coast owner Peter Kernan said. "Over 100 ballparks wanted this show, but only 22 got it. South Bend is special for that."

The Coveleski show is the only Indiana or Michigan date on the 22-city tour.

Dylan and Nelson, along with the Hot Club of Cowtown, performed at the Silver Hawks’ home on Aug. 22, 2004, during the first of two tours of minor league baseball stadiums they have done together.

Since then, the Silver Hawks have been purchased by former Indiana governor and former South Bend mayor Joe Kernan and a group of investors. Kernan is not related to the promoter.

"We’re excited because it is the first concert under Joe Kernan’s ownership, and this is something we want to pursue," Silver Hawks sales and marketing director Amy E. Hill said. "We want to have multiple shows every year, and the fact that this is a family-friendly event — children 14 and younger get in for free (with a paid adult) — this is a great event to showcase the Cove as a concert venue."

"I grew up on Bob Dylan," Joe Kernan said when asked performer was his favorite of the three. "Willie Nelson is someone we all seem to know, and I personally know John Mellencamp, so I’m fans of them all, but if I had to pick one, I’ll go with the Hoosier."

He also confirmed that the Silver Hawks want to use Coveleski for more concerts in the future.

"We have found over the last couple of years that it really does depend upon the route that the acts are taking and you need folks that like playing in ballparks," he said. "Clearly, the three guys that we’ve got all love playing in ballparks, and we’re looking forward to a great day and night."

All tickets are $68.50 general admission, and children 14 and younger will be admitted free, one per paid adult admission. Gates open at 5:00 pm. A fireworks display is planned at the conclusion of the concert.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at Coveleski, 501 W. South St.; all Ticketmaster locations, including at Orbit Music in Mishawaka, Super Sounds in Elkhart and Karma Records in Plymouth; by telephone at (574) 235-9988 or (800) 745-3000; and online at ticketmaster.com and silverhawks.com.