Independence Day festivities planned for Wed., July 3 in Corbin; Thurs., July 4 in W’burg

If you like fireworks, then you are in luck as local towns will be having them on either Wednesday, July 3, or Thursday, July 4.

Corbin will have its Independence fireworks Wednesday while Williamsburg will follow suit Thursday evening.

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.

Corbin celebration

Corbin will kick off Independence Day celebrations with festivities set for Wednesday starting at 6 p.m. in the parking lot at The Corbin Arena.

“Down to the River” will perform starting at 7 p.m., and Countywide will perform starting at 8 p.m.

The fireworks show will start at 9:45 p.m.

“We have the same company as in previous years,” Corbin Tourism Director Maggy Kriebel said noting that the show will last about 25 minutes.

Kriebel said the angle from which the fireworks are shot would be slightly different, as the launch point has been moved back from the edge of the hill by several hundred feet.

“After the incident a few years ago when a nearby building was damaged, we decided to move the place where the fireworks are shot from,” Kriebel said noting it will not affect the show.

The event is free and open to the public.

Williamsburg celebration

It is going to be a busy few days in Williamsburg starting Thursday as Williamsburg celebrates the Fourth of July with a day full of festivities.

“I am looking forward to another great time. We have gospel singing all day. We have the bell ringing in the morning at the University of the Cumberlands. We have a new event at the waterpark for the Fourth of July. We have a live band, ‘The Usual Suspects.’ It is the same band that we always have at the block parties, but it worked out that they could play on the fourth. We are looking forward to that. Right after them we will kick off the fireworks,” noted Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison.

“We will still have the duck race, the hotdog eating contest and the Picnic in the Park. It is just going to be a great time. I am looking forward to it. Come on out and join us and let’s celebrate the Fourth of July and Independence Day.”

Festivities will start at 10 a.m. Thursday on the courthouse lawn as WEKC Radio presents its 18^th Annual Fourth of July Celebration with a free all-day gospel music concert.

A total of 13 artists are slated to perform, including: The Campbell’s, Living Proof, Son’s Family and Southern Grace among others.

Those in attendance are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair.

Starting at 11:15 a.m., there will be a bell ringing ceremony at Patriot Park on the campus of the University of the Cumberlands.

The Captain Charles Gatliff Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the William-Whitley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are leading the celebration.

The program includes audience participation in the singing of “God Bless America,” a barbershop quarter singing “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and guest speaker Dr. Bruce Hicks, who is an associate professor of history and political science at the University of the Cumberlands.

The event will conclude about noon with a ringing of the replica of the Liberty Bell 13 times in honor of the 13 original colonies.

In the event of rain, the program will be moved from Patriot Park inside to the Hutton School of Business.

Starting at 7 p.m. a number of festivities are planned at the Kentucky Splash Waterpark. There is no admission charge after 7 p.m. to get into the waterpark to watch the fireworks.

At 7 p.m., the annual Picnic in the Park will take place under the umbrella by the gift shop. You can get a grilled hotdog, chips and a drink for $3.

At 7:30 p.m., the annual hotdog-eating contest will take place beside the gift shop. There is a $1 entry fee for the hotdog-eating contest.

From 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., the band “Usual Suspects” will perform a free concert in the parking lot of the waterpark.

At 8 p.m., the duck race will be held in the Lazy River of the waterpark. People can purchase ducks throughout the day at the waterpark, and the owner of the first rubber duck to cross the finish line will receive a $500 grand prize. Proceeds go to benefit the Shop with a Cop.

Fireworks will be set off at “dark thirty.”

Harrison added that he would like to encourage everyone to be mindful when shooting off their own fireworks and remember that some people have to get up early for work the next day.

“We need to cut those fireworks off at midnight at the latest, and that is going on pretty late,” he noted. “If you live near somebody that might have dogs or pets, just be real mindful of what you are doing because it scares them. We’re not telling you not to have a good time. Just be thoughtful of your neighbor and that people do have to work the next day.”

On Friday, the Whitley County Public Library will host a free Movies in the Park event at Bill Woods Park starting about 9 p.m.

No seating will be provided.

On Saturday, a community yard sale will be held at the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.