Fourth of July celebrations planned

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DARKE COUNTY — Next weekend the fireworks will be ‘bursting in air’ as Darke countians have the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day in several different locations.

Ansonia’s fireworks will be on July 1; Greenville’s on July 2; Union City’s on July 3; and New Madison’s on July 4.

In Greenville

Greenville’s fireworks will once again be at the Darke County Fairgrounds. The Greenville EUM Church will be holding Family Fest 2016 from 4 to 9 p.m. on the grounds as well.

Mitch McCabe, outreach coordinator of the church, said this is the second annual event for Family Fest.

“New this year will be a big tent that will be set up by the Spiritual Life Center at the fairgrounds,” he said. “It’s 40×80.”

In the worship tent, there will be live music, space to eat and a worship service.

The schedule of events for the worship tent are: EUM Worship Band from 4 to 4:45 p.m.; Grace Brethren Worship Band from 5 to 5:45 p.m.; Worship Dance Team from 6 to 6:15 p.m.; worship service (activities will stop during this service) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; extended worship with EUM Worship Band (activities resume) from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.; and door prize drawings at 8:30 p.m. (winners must be present to win).

“Free food will be available in the Spiritual Life Center from 4 to 6:30 p.m.,” he said.

The meal serving line, free popcorn and a photo booth will all be in the Spiritual Life Center; while first-aid, prayer, baby-changing and cooling area stations will be set up in the Fine Arts Building. Inflatables will also be there, while midway activities include carnival games, face painting, dunking tank and the A&W Root Beer food trailer; and the big midway activities will be big corn hole and big slingshot.

“There will be a public servants display, restrooms, parking and a fireworks viewing are,” McCabe said.

Local ministry tents include FISH, Illumination Ministries, Good Person Test, Youth For Christ of the Miami Valley, STAR 88.3 and Revive Ohio.

A pamphlet that is being handed out reads, in part, “This 4th of July, remember the SCARS and STRIPES,” and directed readers to Isaiah 53:5 (KJV). “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

In Union City

Activities at Harter Park in Union City, Indiana, will begin at 11 a.m., with water slide, music, games, food and swimming, with fireworks at dusk on Sunday.

In Ansonia

Two of the communities — Ansonia and New Madison — are celebrating the holiday on multiple days; Ansonia for four days and New Madison two days.

Softball tournaments will be featured July 1-3 and horseshoe tournaments July 1 and 2 at Ansonia. There is a $150 entry fee per softball team by calling 937-423-0232. Horseshoe tournaments are set to begin at 6:30 p.m.

The Little Mr. and Miss Red, White and Blue Pageant July 1 is open to children ages 3 to 6 in the Ansonia School district. There is a $5 entry fee and will be held on the stage at the ballpark at 6:30 p.m., with registration at 6.

Karma’s Pawn will entertain from 8 p.m to midnight, with fireworks starting at dusk behind Moody’s Auto Service.

Activities on July 2 include the parade at 12:30 p.m., with lineup at 11 a.m. at First Church of God. Entries will be accepted the day of the parade, which will feature Ken and Marilyn Erwin as grand marshals.

Other July 2 events are Rocky Bernard’s chicken barbecue starting at 1 p.m with only 800 halves; games sponsored by Ansonia Youth Football to include miniature golf, basketball shot and more; Blow up slide sponsored by Youth cheerleading; punt pass and kick for grades 1-5 at 3 p.m at the back diamond; Wiffle ball at the back diamond at 4:30 p.m.; a dunk tank sponsored by Ansonia American Legion; Cornhole tournament at 2 p.m. at $20 a team; National Kiddie Tractor Pull, 1:30 p.m. sign-up at the barn and starting at 2 p.m. for ages 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8; and Entertainment Strategy performing from 8 p.m to midnight.

In addition to softball tournaments on the Fourth, there will be a 5K Race at 9 a.m., starting and finishing at the school.

In New Madison

In New Madison on July 2, Jed Brubaker, Logan Brubaker, Robbie Jones and Larry Badger will be performing at Schlechty’s Sports Bar and Grill from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

On tap for July 3 are vendors in the school parking lot from 4 to 8 p.m.; food and beverage tent at the Civic Center from 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; corn hole tournament starting at 6 at the Civic Center; and Quadrafunk to perform at the Civic Center from 9 p.m. to midnight.

New Madison’s activities on July 4 include a pancake breakfast at New Madison United Methodist Church from 7 to 10 a.m; Wiffle ball tournament at 9 a.m. behind the high school with registration at 8:30 a.m.; a pet show on the front lawn of the school at 9 a.m.; vendors in the school parking lot starting at 10 a.m.; Valley Exotics LLC and its Zoo to You behind the school from noon until dark; co-ed volleyball tournament at the Civic Center starting at noon; Kiwanis Sausage Barn and Hawaiian Ice in school parking lot from noon to 9 p.m.; food and beverage tent at the Civic Center from noon to 12:30 a.m.; the Little Miss/Mr. Firecracker at the Civic Center at 1 p.m.; parade at 3 p.m.; kiddie tractor pull in school parking lot at 4 p.m.; kids big wheel races at Civic Center at 4:45 p.m.; Fourth of July concession stand behind the school with refreshment at camper, 5 p.m.; American Legion chicken box dinner starting at 5; corn hole tournament at Civic Center at 6; and fireworks at 10 p.m., with National Anthem to be sung by Karlee Farmer.

By Linda Moody

[email protected]

This writer may be reached at 937-569-4315. Follow her on Facebook and join the conversation and get updates on Facebook by searching Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

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