Several area communities will celebrate America’s 250th birthday this weekend with a bang — and some other summer fun.
Multiple Independence Day celebrations are planned across the region, starting Thursday, when Allen Community College hosts Fireworks At The Field, in cooperation with American Legion Baseball and Jake’s Fireworks.
On top of a fireworks show following an 8 p.m. American Legion baseball game, a bounce house, concessions and other activities are planned. Kids wearing their Iola Recreation Department shirts will be admitted free of charge. Adults pay $5 apiece.
FRIDAY’S activities begin bright and early with a two-day fishing derby at Boyer’s Lake at the intersection of 1400 Street and Oregon Road.
Anglers will vie for a $500 grand prize, while camp sites will be set up for overnight stays. A petting zoo and other outdoor activities are planned as well. Local vendors also will have merchandise for sale.
Pre-registration for the fishing derby is $25, or $30 for the day of the event. General admission cost is $5 (and even non-competitors can still partake in the fishing fun.)
To register, call or text (620) 363-9501.
HUMBOLDT’S Independence Day celebration also is slated for Friday with the Mike Rickner Memorial Fireworks Show, presented by the Humboldt Lions Club at the Humboldt Municipal Golf Course at dusk.
Prior to that will be a remote-control model airshow at 6:30 p.m., and an ice cream social at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church at 7. Donations will be accepted.
ELSMORE’S Independence Day celebration features the Aiello family teaming up with Elsmore Ruritan and Virginia Lodge 315 for a jam-packed evening Saturday.
Ruritan members will serve up ice cream, cookies and water at 8 p.m., before the Aiello family will shoot off a colorful fireworks show at dusk.
COLONY has its own fireworks show planned for sundown Sunday evening, courtesy of the Gilbreth Family, which has operated a local fireworks stand in town the past several years.
A LITTLE farther away are Independence Day activities that tie in with local community festivals.
Toronto Days launches the weekend with a fireworks show Friday at dusk at the lake. Saturday’s fun includes a horse show tournament, a block party, street dance, axe throwing, cornhole and several vendors’ tables.
A mud volleyball tournament wraps up the celebration on Sunday morning.
Westphalia’s Saturday is jam-packed with a fun run in the morning, car, truck and tractor show through the morning, a 10 a.m. parade, followed by a tractor pull, cornhole and volleyball tournaments, bingo game, turtle races and raffle drawing.
