While one Fourth of July tradition continues in Jackson County, another one is restarting with a bang.
Swimming, a teen talent show, a concert and a fireworks display are set for Sunday in Seymour. Food, games, music, giveaways, firetrucks, a photo booth and fireworks are all planned that night in Medora.
Seymour
Half-price admission at Shields Park Pool in Seymour will be from noon to 5 p.m. The cost will be $2 for ages 6 and older, $1 for ages 3 to 5 and free for under 3.
All other activities organized by the Seymour Parks and Recreation Department will be at the Freeman Field Recreational Complex off of State Road 11 south of the city.
The inaugural Smalltown Star teen talent show will start at 4 p.m. The event is a Leadership Jackson County project and is being sponsored by the parks department and Boys and Girls Club of Seymour. Attendees are asked to bring donations of cash, cleaning supplies and hygiene products to be given to Anchor House Family Assistance Center and Pantry in Seymour.
From 7 p.m. until dark, the Fabulous Hickbillys, a local classic and top 40 country music group, will take the stage for a free concert, sponsored by Moore and Shepherd Insurance.
The concession stand will be open and selling snacks and drinks.
The night will end with the annual free fireworks display, which will begin at dark (around 10 p.m.) The 25- to 30-minute show will be set to music by Radio 96.3. Alcohol and personal consumer fireworks are not allowed in the park.
Medora
Medora Pentecostal Church has revitalized the community’s Fourth of July celebration after a long absence.
Faythe Gill, the church’s administrative assistant, said she and other church members recall going to the event in the late ’70s, but she’s not sure when it was discontinued.
"Our church likes to be what we call ‘Being loud in our community,’" she said. "We love our community, and we like to reach out as much as possible, and so we just came up with the idea of moving our music to the park, and it kind of expanded from there."
Starting at 6 p.m. at the Medora Town Park, concessions and Spanky’s food truck will be available along with games for all ages (cornhole, volleyball, basketball, large yard games and the playground), live music (featuring church members) and giveaways (including flags, glow sticks and gift cards).
Also, the Carr Township Volunteer Fire Department will have a couple of firetrucks and a photo booth and hand out safety information, and fireworks will start after dark.
Gill said sponsorships allow for everything to be free except for those who want to purchase food from the food truck.
The fire department will be on hand during the fireworks show, which will be manned by church members with backgrounds in military and law enforcement.
Bleachers will be available for seating, but attendees are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs.
Gill said the church is excited to bring the event back to the community and also be a part of the revitalization of the town park, including running a Wednesday night softball league and assisting Medora Park Board President Shannon Hunsucker on a recent work day.
"She has been involved in this (Fourth of July event), as well, as far as allowing us to have it there, and then we’re trying to work with everybody that will work with us in the town just to get as many people involved as possible," Gill said. "It’s going to be a great community event."
If all goes well, Gill said the church wants to continue the event for years to come.
"We would love to make this an event we do for our community every year," she said. "We’re very thankful for our town and for our country. Quite frankly, we’re in this day and age we seem to find a lot to complain about in the country and as a community. We just want to focus on ‘I’m so thankful to be an American. I’d rather live here than anywhere else in the world.’"
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
What: Medora Pentecostal Church’s community Fourth of July celebration
When: Starts at 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: Medora Town Park at the corner of First and George streets
Details: Games, concessions, live music, Spanky’s food truck, giveaways and fireworks
Help out: To make a donation toward the fireworks show, email [email protected] or send a message via facebook.com/medorachurch
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
What: Seymour Parks and Recreation Department’s annual Fourth of July celebration
When: Sunday
Where/Cost: Half-price admission at Shields Park Pool in Seymour from noon to 5 p.m. ($2 for ages 6 and older, $1 for ages 3 to 5 and free for under 3); Smalltown Star teen talent show at 4 p.m., Fabulous Hickbillys concert at 7 p.m. and fireworks at dark (around 10 p.m.) at the Freeman Field Recreational Complex off of State Road 11 south of the city (all free except for the concession stand selling snacks and drinks)
Information: 812-522-6420
[sc:pullout-text-end]