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Independence Day events abound in area communities
By Peggy Blackburn
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Communities across the country are gearing up for the largest birthday party of the year -- Independence Day. A variety of local events and activities will mark the 232nd anniversary of the nation’s birth.
Food, fun and fireworks are planned for the Fourth of July. Following is a list of holiday events.
Wetumpka
Wetumpka’s yearly celebration will begin at 4:30 p.m. Friday with activities in Gold Star Park, including “magical memories” by Mr. Balloon, face tattoos, a watermelon seed spitting contest, games and concessions. Entrants in a barbecue contest will also be judged at 4:30 p.m.
Lineup for the fourth annual Red, White and Blue Children’s Parade will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Old Elmore County Courthouse. All children are in-vited to participate by decorating a bike, trike, stroller, wagon or other wheeled vehicle and wearing patriotic clothing or costumes. Prizes will be awarded in four age groups. The procession will start at 6 p.m. and travel from the courthouse to Gold Star Park.
Other activities in the park will follow the parade, including a pie-eating contest at 6:30 p.m. Local entertainers will perform and T-shirts will be available.
This year’s celebration will include a tribute to radio personality Don Day, who traditionally emcees many city events and recently retired from his radio career.
Festivities will conclude with a fireworks display over the Coosa River at 9 p.m. There will be no admission charge.
American Legion barbecue
Wetumpka American Legion Post 7 will sell Boston butts for $25 each and smoked ribs for $20 per slab. Thursday will be the first day of the sale and, if there is a large demand, butts and ribs will also be available Friday and Saturday.
Pickup will be at the Wetumpka National Guard Armory, starting at 7 a.m. To pre-order, call Commander Roger Rowe at 514-4376.
Emerald Mountain
Parade and Brunch
The Emerald Mountain community’s 14th annual Fourth of July event will be Friday beginning at 8 a.m. at the Emerald Mountain Volunteer Fire Department
Each year, residents participate in a fun family experience with decorated bikes, wagons, golf carts and riding lawn mowers parading to the Emerald Mountain Clubhouse. Brunch and fellowship follows.
Eclectic
Eclectic United Methodist Church will host a patriot celebration tonight. The event will begin with dinner served in the fellowship hall at 5 p.m.
Old fashioned games for all ages, including sack races and watermelon seed spitting contests, will begin at 6:30 p.m. There will also be an apple pie contest. A youth musical, “In God We Trust,” will begin in the church sanctuary at 7:30 p.m.
Lake Jordan
The annual Lake Jordan fireworks show will begin at dark, and is sponsored by the Lake Jordan Home Owners and Boat Owners Association. Fireworks will be shot from the east end of Jordan Dam. The show can be viewed from the water or the shore.
Six warning shots will be fired during a 30-minute period prior to the show’s start. Directions: On the west side of the lake, follow signs for Jordan Dam off of Highway 111. On the east side, travel north from Wetumpka on U.S. Highway 231 and follow boat ramp signs at Wallsboro.
The display is funded through donations. Contributions should be mailed to Lake Jordan HOBO, P.O. Box 431, Wetumpka 36092-0431.
Seman
The Seman Volunteer Fire Department will hold a Fourth of July barbecue sale Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until sold out. Barbecue pork and chicken plates with all the trimmings will be available, along with camp stew by the quart and homemade baked goods. The barbecue will be at the fire station. For information, call Beckie Fomby at 567-4027.
Lake Martin
Russell Marine will host the 18th annual Fourth of July Boat Parade Friday beginning at 10 a.m. at Kowaliga Marina. The flotilla will parade to Children’s Harbor. Those interested in participating should register by Thursday at any Russell Marine location. There is no fee. Prizes will be awarded in several categories. For information, call 866-355-8050.
Friday’s eighth annual Russell Lands’ Fourth of July Blast will feature a concert and fireworks display. Action will begin at 5:30 p.m. with Muse, followed by the Bluegrass Biscuits. The Sweet Young'uns will close the show, playing both before and after the fireworks show at 9 p.m.
Gates at Lake Martin Amphitheater will open at 4:30 p.m. for the concert. Seating is open, so bring lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions will be available.
The amphitheater is located on Highway 63, approximately one mile south of Kowaliga Bridge. No boat traffic will be allowed to or from the amphitheater shoreline. Tickets for the concert are available through Ticketmaster or at the gate for $15. Children 12 and under will be admitted free.
Those not wishing to attend the concert can watch the fireworks show from boats or in the open fields off Highway 63.
Visit online at www.lmat.org for additional information.
Millbrook
The Millbrook Men’s Club will hold its annual barbecue and camp stew sale at the barbecue hut located behind Village Green Park. All proceeds benefit the Millbrook community.
Prattville
Prattville’s day-long Fourth of July festivities will begin at 9 a.m. with the city’s fourth annual parade. This year’s theme is “From Sea to Shining Sea - A Look at Favorite American Landmarks.” The procession will begin at the Autauga County Courthouse and conclude at Pratt Park.
The annual cardboard boat races will begin at 10 a.m. at the Prattville City Pool. Boats must be assembled with only cardboard and duct tape the morning of the race.
The yearly Prattville Lions Club barbeque and camp stew sale will begin at 10 a.m. in the park. There will also be entertainment, a children’s fun area and arts and crafts vendors.
A patriotic program will begin at 6 p.m. at Stanley-Jensen Stadium. There will be concessions and live entertainment, and the fireworks show will begin at dark. Admission is free.
Montgomery
Montgomery’s Fourth of July Riverfront Celebration will be held Friday at Riverwalk Am-phi-theater. Gates will open at 5 p.m. Activities will include a water ski show at 6 p.m. Entertainment by the Capitol Sounds Concert Band and Montgomery Chorale will start at 7 p.m.
Activities will include a splash pad for children and concessions. There is no admission charge and parking is free.
The fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. For more information, call 241-2300.
Cloverdale Idlewild
Neighborhood Association
parade and band party
The 28th annual celebration will be held Friday, beginning with a parade at 2 p.m. starting at the corner of Lexington and Plymouth. The parade will feature a drum corps, bagpiper and dozens of decorated cars, bikes, wagons, riding lawnmowers and almost anything else with wheels. The route will wind around Cloverdale-Idlewild until ending at Cloverdale Bottom Park.
At 6 p.m. residents will gather again at the park for a concert featuring the music of “The Beetles.” Lawn chairs, blankets, coolers, smiles and snacks are suggested. The public is invited to participate in the parade and the band concert.
Auburn Montgomery parade
The Auburn Montgomery Early Childhood Center will hold its annual Fourth of July parade Thursday beginning at 9 a.m.
The children will parade around the campus quad, between the Taylor Center and Goodwyn Hall, waving flags, holding banners and wearing homemade hats. Some will ride toys or wagons that parents have helped decorate.
