Mount Olive Fourth of July celebration Friday
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on June 29, 2008 2:00 AM
MOUNT OLIVE -- An old-fashioned Fourth of July complete with free food, games, entertainment and fireworks will be celebrated this Friday in Westbrook Park.
The event also will mark its own bit of history -- it will be the 20th year that the Exchange Club of Mount Olive has sponsored the celebration. Assisting with the event will be the Jaycees, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Kiwanis Club and the American Legion post and its auxiliary.
A children's parade will kick off the event at 4:30 p.m.
Local youths are invited to dress in patriotic attire and to decorate their bicycles, tricycles, wagons and non-motorized vehicles for the children's parade, said Exchange Club member Chris Currie. The route will follow the park's walking trail. Prizes will be awarded.
Mayor Ray McDonald Sr. will lead the Pledge of Allegiance at 5 p.m. followed by the national anthem performed by Hampton Lee.
Free entertainment will be provided by the Harmony Boys of Mount Olive, Kim Holmes of Calypso and Brent Hood of Grantham.
Bingo will be played under the American Legion pavilion and free soft drinks, pizza, hot dogs watermelon and pickles will be available throughout the event.
Sopey-A-Clown will perform and there will be a variety of children's games including a greasy-pole climb, three-legged race and water-balloon game.
The Jaycees will sponsor a fireworks display at the Mount Olive Airport at dusk.
Currie said that Exchange Club's goals include support for community service and patriotism.
He noted that the annual celebration is a well-attended event that attracts a diverse group of ages and races.
"It is a celebration of country as much as anything," Currie said. "It is nice that the town is able to offer a lot of different things for all ages. With gas prices like they are what better way to celebrate than by staying close to home."