Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
AKRON - The Akron Fourth of July Celebration will kick off with "Spark in the Park" Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m. Admission to the event is free and includes games and food. Six Christian bands are scheduled to perform.
July 3, "Kids' Night at the Park" is scheduled. The festivities will include kids' pedal tractor pulls starting at 6 p.m.
Events are set throughout the day on July 4 beginning at 6 a.m. with a firemen's pancake and sausage breakfast and a flag-raising ceremony by the Lions Club. Both will take place at the Akron Town Hall.
At 9 a.m., lineup is scheduled for the parade that will begin at 11 a.m. The theme of the parade this year is "Foundation of Freedom: America's Volunteers."
The afternoon's activities will begin at 1 p.m. in the park with three-on-three basketball, kiddie games and a car show.
Deb Collier's School of Dance Troupe will perform from 2:30 to 3 p.m. followed by a K9 demonstration with Ed Haines.
Line dancing is scheduled at 4 p.m. with the Tri-County Kickers, and there will be karaoke in the park at 5 p.m.
At 6:15 p.m., the queen candidates preliminaries will be held, and Miss Akron will be crowned at 7:30 p.m.
Other evening events in the park include a cute baby contest at 6:30 p.m., presentation of the best decorated house and business at 6:45 p.m. and the Miss Sparkler and Mr. Firecracker Contest at 7 p.m.
A contemporary rock band, amDRIVE, will perform at 8 p.m. A fireworks show is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. AmDrive will play another set following the fireworks show.
On July 6, area church services will begin at 10:30 a.m.
For more information, call Kim Long, 893-4123.
