July Fourth gets bigger

By Herald staff writer

The July Fourth Celebration to be held on Independence Day at Seymour Community Park is ramping up to be an even bigger show than last year’s first annual event, with more vendors and exhibitors lining up to be a part of Seymour’s own birthday party for the USA.
Headlining the event is a major fireworks show that will culminate the festivities after dark. The 4 p.m. start time will allow lots of daylight for the kids to enjoy the special booths and activities set up just for them, which will include a coloring contest, face painting, and Burger King’s “Whopper Hopper,” among others.
The event will feature lots of food, with Italian dishes, pizza, hot dogs, ice cream, cotton candy, and more.
Live entertainment will also be on tap for attendees of the event, including Kevin Miller and the band “2Thirty,” with karaoke provided by Big Mama’s Karaoke Cafe between sets. Admission will be free.
Just announced on the slate of attractions will be a costume contest for attendees who come dressed as their favorite Founding Father (or Mother). Prizes for the competition will include $25 and a 52-issue subscription to The Seymour Herald or Smoky Mountain Herald for the first place winner (itself a value of up to $32.95), $25 for the first runner-up, and a $10 prize for the second runner-up. As last year, there will be a coloring contest for the kids with ribbons going to the top winners.
“Local businesses and folks are really starting to jump on the bandwagon,” said David Grimes, Managing Editor for The Herald Newspapers. “It looks like this year is going to be even bigger and better than last, which was huge.”
More than 5000 people attended the first annual Celebration, which was sponsored by The Seymour Herald.
Volunteers are needed to help with various events. If you have a few hours you would like to donate to help on the 4th of July with this community event please contact Michele Karl at 577-6609.