Holiday weekend filled with fireworks

Wiregrass residents will have their share of fireworks over the Fourth of July with celebrations spread out over the three-day holiday weekend.

You can start the long weekend with an evening of music on the square in Headland.

Renaissance Headland and the Tri-State Community Orchestra will hold the third annual Patriotic Concert on Thursday, July 2, at 7:30 p.m. The free performance will also feature the Headland High Community Band and local church choir members. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy the music.

If a big fireworks show is what you want then you’ll have at least two nights of entertainment.

The 2009 Freedom Fest at Fort Rucker will be held on Friday, July 3, which is the observed legal holiday this year because July 4 is on Saturday. But the fireworks continue on Saturday with the Family 4th Celebration in Dothan.

Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and maybe even some portable misting fans to both events.

It’s not just the date that’s different at the Fort Rucker celebration. The fest has moved from Howze Field to a new location — Festival Fields, a group of three fields off Andrews Avenue and 5th Avenue. More room was needed for the event that draws between 15,000 and 20,000 people.

“This allows more space,” said Tara Emnett, special events coordinator with Fort Rucker’s Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation. “We try to get bigger every year ... It’s getting too big for Howze Field.”

And the celebration will continue after the fireworks are over. A post party with live music will hopefully lessen traffic congestion by keeping some visitors on site for another hour-and-a-half after the main show, Emnett said.

There is no admission to attend Freedom Fest, but there is a cost of $1 per ticket for the children’s Fun Zone area. And, of course, food and drink will be for sale by 42 vendors expected to be at Fort Rucker during the event.

For the third year, the Kiwanis Club of Dothan will host the Family 4th Celebration at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan.

A new feature this year is a family fun pavilion, said Kerry Farrell of The Main Event and spokesperson. There will be watermelon-eating contests, seed-spitting, sack races and other family activities. Local politicians will wrap up the games with their own watermelon-eating contest at 6 p.m.

“We’re focusing on families this year,” Farrell said.

A classic car show, kids fun zone with water slides and inflatables, and live music on two stages round out the day’s activities. There will also be two cooling tents this year offering misting to help beat the heat, Farrell said.

The fireworks show begins at nightfall.

While the Family 4th Celebration does cost to enter, most of the activities — other than vendors — are free.

“Once you get in the door, there’s a lot of stuff to see and do that’s free,” Farrell said.
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If you go ...
2009 Freedom Fest
When: Friday, July 3
Where: Fort Rucker’s Festival Fields off Andrews Avenue
Times: Fun Zone open from 4-9 p.m.; Freedom Fest Show, 7-9 p.m.; fireworks display begins at 9 p.m.; post party, 9:30-11 p.m. with music by Infamy.
Cost: Free other than vendors and Fun Zone
Special info: To enter Fort Rucker, you must have driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. No pets, glass containers or coolers allowed.

Family 4th Celebration
When: Saturday, July 4
Where: National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, U.S. 231 South in Dothan
Times: Gates open at 10 a.m. for activities and entertainment. Car show held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Games in the Family Fun Pavilion begin at 4 p.m. Fireworks at dark.
Cost: Tickets are $10 at gate; $5 in advance by July 3; Ages 12 and younger enter free.
Special info: Visit http://www.Family4thCelebration.com for a list of places to buy advance tickets.