Fourth of July weekend filled with events

By Steve Moyer

Nevada Daily Mail

This weekend, local residents will have two chances to watch professional fireworks shows.

In Nevada, the weekend will begin with fireworks at the Vernon County fairgrounds arena on Friday, July 2. A group of citizens led by Phyllis Sprenkle came forward to restore the display after a year's lapse. Sprenkle said it wouldn't have been possible without the support from the public.

"We couldn't have done this without the people coming up with the money," Sprenkle said. "They have been so generous and we really appreciate that. This is a tough time for a lot of people so it means a lot that they are willing to help out."

Local performer Matt Harper will entertain the crowd before the fireworks display. Harper was contacted at the last minute and agreed to perform, even though he will have put in a full day at his regular job.

"I'm glad to do it," Harper said.

Harper will begin his show around 9 p.m.; and the fireworks are slated to begin at 10 p.m., after the end of the dog show, which will be held in the home ec building starting at 6 p.m.

Sprenkle said the fireworks committee would hold a planning session sometime in July to get a start on next year's display.

Sprenkle said. "This year, we were so rushed that we didn't have an opportunity to fine-tune things. I think we'll be able to do much better with more time to work things out."

In Rich Hill, the festivities begin today. Natalea Hoeper, president of the Rich Hill Famous for the Fourth celebration, said that this year's celebration was special because Rich Hill has been putting on a display on the Fourth of July for 130 years.

"I haven't been doing it that long -- I'd be long dead from overwork," Hoeper joked. "I've been on the board for four years and president for three years. The officers don't change around much."

This year, the celebration starts on today with a carnival, petting zoo and a children's promenade at 6 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., there will be a baby contest; and at 8:30 p.m., a fashion show will be held.

Friday, the action starts at 6 p.m., when the Little Miss Firecracker and Miss Fourth of July contest will be held. At 7 o'clock the carnival starts and a basket auction sponsored by area churches will be held. A gospel sing will start at 8 p.m. and a Karaoke contest for those 16 or older begins at that time as well.

Saturday starts bright and early with a horseshoe pitching contest at 9 a.m. A pie contest, at 6 p.m., will be followed by a pie auction at 6:30. At 7, the carnival starts as does a talent show. At 8:30 p.m., the Rounders band performs.

The big day falls on a Sunday this year, which pushed the parade to 3 p.m. to allow for church services. The day begins at 11 a.m. with an all-church service in East Park, sponsored by the Ministerial Alliance. At noon, a car show starts in the grass lot across from the Methodist Church. Parade registration begins at 12:30 p.m. and runs until 2:30 p.m., in the old high school. A quilt show, sponsored by the quilt guild, in the Baptist Church, runs from 1 to 7 p.m. The parade begins at 3 p.m. and will feature a flyover by the Commanche Flyers. At 4 p.m., the KC Marching Cobras will perform in West Park. A salute to veterans will begin at 4:30 p.m., and the parade awards will be at 5 p.m. Larry Hacker will auction some old-time photos of Rich Hill -- old postcards that have been enlarged -- from 7 to 8 p.m.

The Bellamy Brothers will perform starting at 8 p.m. and will hold an autograph session after the performance. The fireworks will begin at 10:30 p.m.