Pikeville Lions Club set for festival and fireworks
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on June 25, 2007 1:45 PM
The Pikeville Lions Club will sponsor the town's fourth annual Early Independence Day Celebration Saturday in the Pikevillle Town Park.
The day-long celebration begins at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony complete with honor guard and a singing of the "Star Spangled Banner." Wayne County commissioners and county manager Lee Smith have been invited as well as State Rep. Louis Pate, State Sen. John Kerr and U.S. Rep. Walter Jones. Organizers say Jones has confirmed that he plans to come to the celebration.
Mr. and Mrs. Pikeville, distinguished citizens of the town, will be honored for their contributions to the community, and Little Miss and Little Mr. Independence will be crowned.
A fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m.
Organizer and Lions Club President Edith McClenny says lots of activities are planned for the celebration, including a dunking booth and inflatables for the children. There will be arts and crafts, a car show, a tractor pull contest, a horseshoe tournament and hayrides.
"People can't get enough of that, especially on a hot day," Mrs. McClenny said.
Lots of food vendors have signed up, including a watermelon booth and a fresh-squeezed lemonade stand. And there will be bluegrass and gospel music through the afternoon.
Mrs. McClenny said there is still plenty of room for more sponsors, vendors and musical groups to sign up. Call her at 242-4574 or Linda Westbrook at 735-3837 during the day.
Proceeds from the celebration will benefit Ryan Hooks, grandson of Pikeville Lions Club members Mike and Cathie Hooks. Seven-month-old Ryan has battled medical problems since birth.