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Celebrate with pyrotechnics, parades and more at patriotic gatherings
This article was published July 2, 2009 at 2:10 a.m.
RIVER VALLEY and OZARK AREA — Whether you want to stick to the old Independence Day staples of fireworks displays and parades or branch out with something new (watermelon-eating contest, anyone?), there's something for everyone in the River Valley and Ozark region this holiday weekend.
DANVILLE
A free fireworks display will be held at about 9 p.m. behind the fire station on E. Arkansas 10. For more information, call (479) 495-2013.
DARDANELLE
Grab the kids and go to Four Days of Fun for Independence Day, which will be held from 7:30 a.m. to about 9 p.m. today through Sunday at Mount Nebo State Park, 16728 W. Arkansas 155. This family-friendly event will include a hay ride, bike rides, waterfall hikes, a scavenger hunt, sunset strolls, a sidewalk chalk drawing contest, amphitheater programs and the opportunity to make animal track soaps and homemade ice cream. There will be parking on Sunrise Point for folks to enjoy the Russellville fireworks on Saturday. For more information, call (479) 229-3655 or e-mail mountnebo@arkansas.com.
DOVER
A free fireworks display will be held at Lovelady Park on Saturday. Volunteers 18 and older are still needed to help set up the 30-minute display. For more information, call (479) 331-2156 or e-mail namsaev@yahoo.com.
FAIRFIELD BAY
Fairfield Bay's Fourth of July Celebration, which is being held Friday and Saturday at the Lakewood Mall and Fairfield Bay Marina, will include food and craft vendors and a parade. Fireworks will be held on Greers Ferry Lake on Sunday. Free. For more information, call (501) 884-3324, e-mail director@ffbchamber.org or go to www.ffbchamber.org.
HEBER SPRINGS
The Heber Springs Fireworks Extravaganza - one of the largest in the state - will be held at 9:30 p.m. on Sandy Beach at Greers Ferry Lake. Admission is $5 for parking. For more information, call (501) 362-2444, e-mail chamber@heber-springs.com or go to www.heber-springs.com.
MAUMELLE
A Fourth of July parade proceeding along Club Manor to Lake Willastein will start at 5 p.m. Saturday. Fireworks will be held at dusk. For more information, call the Maumelle Parks and Recreation Department at (501) 851-6990.
MORRILTON
Get in on 11 years of tradition at Morrilton's annual Fabulous Fourth, which will be held from 5-10 p.m. at Cherokee Park. The evening will begin with a special tribute and proclamation to the Conway County's volunteers by state Rep. Johnny Hoyt, County Judge Jimmy Hart and Morrilton Mayor Bobby Kirby. Fire trucks and equipment will be on display. Other events include an apple pie bake-off at 5:30 p.m. and a watermelon-eating contest at 8 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. Hot dogs, ice-cold watermelon, iced tea and lemonade will be available. Free. For more information, call (501) 208-3121 or click on the Fabulous Fourth link at www.pjprop.com.
PERRYVILLE
Participate in some patriotic fun at Perryville's 5th Annual July 4th Blowout on Saturday at Harris Brake Lake. This event benefits the Perry County FosterChildren's Fund and features live music, food, raffles, an amateur fireworks competition, a horseshoe tournament and more. Admission $2 for parking, which goes toward the benefit. For more information, call (501) 889-2745 or e-mail coffeecreek@alltel.net.
QUITMAN
The Quitman Lions Club's 20th Annual Fourth of July Parade will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday. For more information, call (501) 589-3339.
RUSSELLVILLE
Grab a blanket or lawn chair and head to the Community Fireworks Display at 9:15 p.m. Saturday at Old Post Road Park. For more information, call (479) 968-1272, e-mail kelli.nealy@russellv illearkansas.org or go to eteamz.com/rsvlparks department.
WOOSTER
An Independence Day Celebration will be held Saturday at Wooster City Park. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with supper, where attendees can choose a pork-loin plate, barbecue sandwich or hot dog with iced tea or lemonade and enjoy the musical stylings of the Steps of Faith gospel quartet. A patriotic program will be held at 7 p.m., followed at 7:30 p.m. with a performance by the Central Arkansas Clogging Company. More musical entertainment will follow from 8-9 p.m., and the evening will end with fireworks at dark. A bounce house, volleyball, basketball, volleyball and pingpong will be available.
- esharp@ arkansasonline.com
River Valley Ozark, Pages 67, 70 on 07/02/2009
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