Area communities plan Independence Day festivities

Saline County residents will have plenty of opportunities to celebrate America's birthday this summer.

The first of the area festivities will be Miami's Pre-4th of July Celebration Saturday, June 27.

There will be a baby contest, parade, hog roast, kids' games and raffles, along with a fireworks display at dark. Everyone is invited to come early and stay late.

For more information, contact Rita Taylor at 660-852-3298 or Judy Copeland at 660-852-3392.

The fireworks show at Marshall Habilitation Center begins Thursday evening, July 2. The Marshall Municipal Band will play a concert in the gazebo at 8 p.m., and the fireworks will begin around 9:15 p.m.

On Saturday, July 4, the annual Marshall fireworks display will begin at dark, probably around 9 p.m., Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ken Yowell said.

The show, which is cosponsored by the Chamber and the city, will be east of the tennis courts at Indian Foothills Park. Beginning at 8 p.m., the Marshall Municipal Band will play a concert in the parking lot adjacent to the parking lot near Travis Guthrey Play Area.

Slater, the self-dubbed "City of

Festivals," will also have a fireworks display on July 4. The event will be in the city park beginning at dark.

"I don't know any little town that does it any better," Mayor Stephen Allegri told the city council at a recent meeting.

Most events in Sweet Springs will take place July 4 at the city park.

At 11 a.m. and until items are sold out, a Fireman's Dinner will be offered, which comes with the diner's choice of chicken, pulled pork sandwiches or hot dogs. There will be a fireman's dunk tank, too.

From noon to 6 p.m. swimming will be free at the pool, courtesy of the Sweet Springs Optimist Club.

At 5 p.m. the Little Miss Liberty and Little Uncle Sam contest begins. The contest is sponsored by Xi Eta Epsilon.

After the contest there will be games, sponsored by the Sweet Spring Optimist Club.

At dusk the city's fireworks display will begin at Sweet Springs High School.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net