Area fireworks shows start Saturday in honor of Fourth of July

If you like fireworks, then you will have the opportunity to view them over the course of three different nights in local towns.

London will kick-off Independence Day celebrations on Saturday, June 30.

Corbin will follow on Tuesday, July 3, and Williamsburg, Barbourville and Jellico will present their fireworks displays on Tuesday, July 4.

Whether it is free fireworks, free concerts of all types, contests, or numerous food concessions there will be a little something for everyone this year in regards to how you want to celebrate the nation’s independence and how often you want to do so.

London celebration

London’s Red, White and Boom celebration will take place Saturday, June 30 at College Park off the Ky. 192 Bypass behind the Laurel County Public Library.

The fun begins at 4 p.m. with games, live entertainment, contests and other activities.

This year more attractions are being put around the playground at the Wellness Park, especially attractions for children, such as inflatables and Thomas the Train. Other activities include: face painting, balloon sculpting, karaoke, the Hillbilly Choo Choo, a petting zoo from Hillview Stables, Euro Bungee, and a carousel for children and adults to ride.

Exhibits include a Blackhawk helicopter and 21-gun salute by the local Disabled American Veterans.
Skydiver Paul McCowan will be doing his POW jump about 4 p.m., and another jump right before the fireworks with a dazzling fire show from the sky.

Besides the fireworks and activities, Red, White and Boom is also known for offering great music. This year maintains the tradition with the return of “Body and Soul,” an eight-piece group featuring 60’s, 70’s, Motown and disco tunes. Also performing will be popular local country band County Wide.

The Randy Smith Memorial Volleyball tournament returns for a second year after fielding eight teams last year. It is named in honor of longtime chamber director Randy Smith, who died from cancer in 2010. The volleyball tournament will be played on Friday, June 29, and on Saturday, June 30 at the Wellness Park.

Bryan Johnson and Fawn Greer are operating the tournament. For information regarding the tournament, contact Greer at 528-2437.

Food vendors will be on hand selling staples, such as hot dogs, hamburgers and shaved ice, to make sure no one goes hungry or thirsty during the six-hour-celebration.

Besides the food and beverages, everything else is free of charge at Red, White and Boom.

Corbin celebration

Corbin’s Independence Day celebration will take place on Tuesday, July 3 at The Arena.
Activities will start that day at 7 p.m. with the band “Silhouette” performing. Silhouette is a Southeast Kentucky band that plays a variety of music from today’s top 40 country, to rock and pop music from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The group was formed in 2006, and is composed of Scott Gray, Vearnie Gray, Jeff Dierken and Judd Weaver

At 8 p.m., “Pistol Whip,” will perform until fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m.

The group is a rock/country band. It’s members include Chad Rogers on lead vocals and guitar, David Adams on drums and vocals, and Jeff Reedy on bass and vocals.

Various food vendors will be on hand for the event.

Jellico celebration

Jellico will have a two-day Independence Day celebration starting at noon on Tuesday, July 3, and culminating with fireworks on Wednesday, July 4.

The celebration will take place at Veteran’s Park.

There will be an open mic singing from noon until 5 p.m. both days.

Entertainment begins at 6 p.m. each night. July 3 is gospel night.

On July 4, Gary Inman and special guests will perform bluegrass music. Fireworks will start at 10 p.m.

Williamsburg celebration

Williamsburg’s Independence Day celebration will take place on Wednesday, July 4.

WEKC Gospel Radio 710 AM is sponsoring the 17th Annual Fourth of July Celebration, which is a free gospel music singing around the Whitley County Courthouse Square from 10 a.m. until dusk.

The singing will include both local artists and professional artists, including: Tammy Norris, Heavenly Heirs, Steve Warren, Sons Family, Eric Baker, Peggy Inks, Shepard’s Way, Clay and Melissa Canada, Roger Cureton, Cupp’s, and English Family.

Concessions will be sold. There will also be face painting, crafts, a bake sale and gospel clowns.

The public is invited to bring a lawn chair and stay all day.

For more information call 549-3000.

The Charles Gatliff Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will conduct a bell ringing ceremony that will take place at 11 a.m. on the campus of the University of the Cumberlands at the Hutton School of Business, which is a replica of Independence Hall.

The public is invited to attend.

Starting at 7 p.m., festivities will begin at the Kentucky Splash Waterpark and Campground with the Picnic in the Park.

A grilled hotdog, chips and a drink will be available for $3. In addition concessions will be open at the waterpark, including Dippin’ Dots, Hawaiian Ice and soft serve ice cream.

At 7:30 p.m., there will be a hotdog-eating contest.

At 8 p.m., the annual duck race will take place in the Lazy River of the waterpark. There is a $500 grand prize. Ducks can be purchased at the admission desk.

It is $5 to adopt one duck, $15 to adopt four ducks, and $20 to adopt six ducks. Proceeds from the event go to benefit the Shop with a Cop program.

Fireworks will start at dark.

Barbourville celebration

Barbourville will hold its Independence Day celebration on Wednesday, July 4.

In addition to fireworks, the city of Barbourville is holding its second ever karaoke contest in conjunction with the Silhouette Band. The contest is limited to the first 25 people.

It will be held at the park amphitheater and sign-ups will begin at 4 p.m.

The performances will start at 6 p.m. You don’t have to be a Knox County native to participate.

All songs must be family oriented and either selected from karafun.com or pre-confirmed with Vearnie or Scott Gray. $500 will be awarded to the first-place winner, $200 to second-place and $100 to third-place.

The Barbourville Water Park will be open that day in addition to the nine-hole miniature golf course and paddleboats. Barbourville Water Park admission on July 4 will be $1.

Food vendors will also be on hand.

Knox Street Thunder will be hosting its Fourth of July car show, and fireworks will take place at dusk.