Boat Parade, Fireworks Kick-off Fourth of July Celebrations
Events Begin Saturday, June 30
By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter
HOUSTON COUNTY – The Fourth of July celebration will start a little early this year with two events slotted for Saturday, June 30.
Leah and David Powers, the new owners of Salmon Lake Park, urge everyone to come out to Salmon Lake for a day chock full of swimming, picnicking, live music and fireworks. The park will open at 9 a.m. for swimming.
Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy the music of the Hubbard Family and Miles Pike as they perform on the park stage, starting at 4:30 p.m.
The park store will be open for snow cones, ice cream, soft drinks and more.
A Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting will be held at 8 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled to start around 9 p.m. to light up the skies over Houston County.
There are special Fourth of July discounted rates to enter the park. Tickets are $3 for children age 5 to 11 and $5 for ages 12 and up. Admission is free for children age 4 and under.
Also planned for Saturday is the Annual Fourth of July Boat Parade at Houston County Lake. Event organizer Charles Sutton said the parade is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. from the Statue of Liberty in Sutton Cove.
“The boats should be there at 4:45 p.m., because the judging actually begins before the parade starts so that we know who’s receiving what by the time they return,” Sutton explained.
Awards will be presented for Best of Show, First Runner-Up, Best Spirited Crew, Best Personal Watercraft, Best Towed Craft, Most Original and Most Patriotic. Honorable Mention will also be given.
“You can enter any kind of a watercraft and also a towed craft – they can enter a tube or a towed barge or anything,” Sutton said.
Registration will begin at the Statue of Liberty at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 30 and continue through 4:30 p.m. A $5 entry fee is required per craft.
Following the boat parade, celebrants are urged to venture over to Salmon Lake Park for a brilliant display of fireworks set to light up the skies over Houston County shortly after dark this Saturday.
Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].
Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].
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