Since 1949, the Jasper Lions Club has developed and sponsored an Independence Day Celebration for the citizens of Pickens County. The celebration this year will be Saturday, July 4, beginning with the traditional parade down Main Street starting at 10 a.m. The theme this year is “America, Built by Everyday Heroes.”
The Grand Marshal of the 2009 Parade will be Hans Rueffert, host of the TV show “Hans Cooks the South” and author of Eat Like There’s No Tomorrow. He is a survivor of a three-stage stomach cancer and his continued optimism is an inspiration to all.
Members of the Lions Club will pass out American flags along the parade route. Radio Station WYYZ will be broadcasting the parade live.
There will be cash prizes for floats in the parade that best represent the above theme - $50 for 1st place and $25 for 2nd place. Applications for parade participants may be picked up at the Jasper Drug Store and Moore Furniture Store on Main Street and the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce, 500 Stegall Drive. An application form is also in this issue of the Progress. Entry fee for parade participants is $10 per unit if paid on or before July 1, 2009; $20 per unit after that date. A “unit” includes up to 5 like vehicles/animals, excluding floats.
Lion Mark Maddox chairs this year’s Celebration Committee and all members of the club will be taking part in the activities. Following the parade there will be something for all members of the family in Lee Newton Park including entertainment, rides, games and other activities for children, Bingo and a wide variety of food. Individuals or groups desiring to be vendors may get information and application forms by calling Melanie Effler at 770-241-0595.
Peachtree Rides entertainment attractions will be at the park from July 1-5 with rides and games for all.
Lion Thelma (Bay) Cagle has lined up a most talented group of entertainers for afternoon and evening performances as follows:
12:30 p.m. - Rebecca Hampton and the Country Kids Dancers will perform line dancing and interpretative dancing.
1 p.m. - Molly and Zack Makool - Pop and Country singing, Molly plays the guitar to accompany this brother-sister duet.
1:15 p.m. - Katie Cagle sings country music and plays the fiddle. She was a Jasper Idol participant.
1:30 p.m. - Kids under the Umbrella - all children ages 3 to 10 will be invited to sit under the umbrella with Bay and bring their small size poster of this year’s theme “America Built by Every Day Heroes” (parents you can help them think about the meaning of the theme), join in a sing-a-long and tell a joke.
2 p.m. - The Redeemed Cavaliers return to sing gospel songs. Vocals will be by Carol Watkins, Donna Garrison, Gordon Robinson, Dan Gabriel and Keith Watkins.
Musicians will be Ivan Watkins, piano, Keith Watkins - guitar and bass guitar. Sound technicians will be Chrystal Gabriel and Debbie Robinson.
4 p.m. - The Dashcrackers take the stage to sing pop, rock and country songs from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. The group includes Tony Aaron, Danny Attaway, Thelma (Bay) Cagle, Greg Gaddis and Doug Tilley.
7 p.m. - The featured band of the day, 53 West, will perform until 10 p.m. This band is a winner for their live music, featuring new and classic Country, Rock.
10 p.m. - The winner of the 50/50 Raffle will be announced. Tickets are available from any Jasper Lion for a donation of $1 each or $25 for a book of 25 tickets. The winner does not have to be present to win.
10:10 p.m. - There will be a great display of aerial fireworks.
Watch the Pickens County Progress for further details on the 4th of July activities and a complete schedule of events. |
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