Thursday marks a favorite holiday for many Huntsville residents - I know it is mine. A time for Ice Cream and Cotton candy, parades and fireworks. But let's not forget the reason for the holiday.
More than 230 years ago, our founding fathers fought for our country's independence. Huntsville has celebrated in a big way for most of our great town's existence, and this year will be no different.
There will be some enhancements this year, so be sure to check the schedule as you don't want to miss a single event.
Click here to view details along with a printable schedule of the day's events.
First of all, the annual Community Play kicks off the celebration tonight at 7 PM in the Huntsville Ward Recreation room. It will also run on July 4th at 4:30 PM.
The Rob Burton Memorial Run and Breakfast in the Park start promptly at 7 AM. New this year, the Memorial run will be professionally timed.
The most important event of the day begins at 8:30 AM and you won't want to miss it. New this year, the Flag Raising Ceremony will be combined with the Patriotic Program. If you have not attended the Flag Ceremony the last few years, by all means be there this year.
The Huntsville Parade starts at 10 AM and there always seems to be a little surprise for our parade goers. My brother who resides in Northern California returns home almost every year for July 4th and claims there are only two parades in the world: The Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena and The Huntsville Parade.
Food, games and crafts will take place throughout the day, and we urge you to support the Huntsville booths and events. Our town, with her wonderful volunteers, puts on the Memorial Run, Breakfast and Lunch, and the auction. We also sell treats and drinks out of the ice shack (building south of restrooms). Your support of these venues goes directly to the town and the proceeds are used for a variety of luxuries, such as park upgrades, landscaping around our new maintenance building, etc.
Hypnotist Shawn Paulsen takes the stage at 6:30 PM and we are searching for volunteer subjects who would like to be the star of the show. Contact me by Replying to this email and let me know why we should choose you to be our star. Preference will be given to current and former Huntsville, Eden and Liberty residents, but we will certainly consider others, based on your response. We want you to make us laugh.
Fireworks finish up the night and start at 10:00 PM.
We will end with one request. It is very expensive to put on a spectacular event such as our small town celebration. Fireworks alone cost more than $5,000. We have been very lucky in past years as some large corporate sponsors have generously helped out. However, several of those sponsors have either substantially reduced their donations or have chosen to not donate at all.
If you can afford to donate to the fireworks fund, please feel free to give any of the town council members a check payable to: Huntsville Town (Mayor Jim Truett, Richard Sorensen, Max Ferre', Scott Richardson or Mike Engstrom).
Thanks for your generosity and we hope you have a fabulous Independence Day in Huntsville.
