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The Fourth of July, a day to recognize the independence of the U.S., and a time to hang out with family and friends, is quickly approaching.
With five days until the holiday, weekend activities are set for Kosciusko County and surrounding communities.
Residents are invited Monday to Manchester College where the Manchester Civic band will hold a musical preamble, followed by a 20-minute display of fireworks held by the North Manchester Fire Department. The 35-member band will play patriotic and traditional tunes beginning at 8 p.m. Fire works start at 10 p.m on the practice field on the east side of the college campus.
North Webster will manage a fireworks display Saturday on Webster Lake. Fireworks start after dark.
Syracuse is planning weekend holiday activities. Lake Wawasee will see a fireworks display after dark Saturday and a flotilla Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Syracuse Lake will hold a fireworks display Tuesday after dark.
Winona Lake will celebrate Independence Day with a variety of activities this year Saturday with the annual Winona Lake Great Fourth of July Celebration.
There are many activities all day long at an event filled with family fun.
Start the day off early with a 5K run, and by late morning have your child decorate his or her own bike, or wagon, or walk in the annual kids parade. Line up starts at 11 a.m., and prizes will be awarded immediately after the parade.
All afternoon enjoy free activities such as the dunk tank, football toss, high striker, giant slide, moon walk, maze and obstacle course. Police officers will be on hand to promote the DARE program and present a K-9 demonstration. There will be a watermelon eating/seed spitting contest and other games.
Prince and Princess Winona (age 4), and King and Queen Winona (age 5 or 6) interviews will be held in the afternoon culminating in a coronation ceremony at 4 p.m. Registration is at 12:30 p.m. and interviews will run from 1 to 3:30 p.m., each being three minutes long. All participants will receive a goody bag filled with prizes.
Local artist Jennifer Ortega will be on hand to unveil her 2006 Great Fourth of July poster and sign and sell the poster as well as previous years' posters.
Tasty food vendors sponsored by local organizations will be ready to serve your cravings for summer-time foods.
Late afternoon, enjoy the rocking sounds of local band Brother while you check out the Cruise-In classic cars. The free concert is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Cruise-In registration starts at 4 p.m., with the cars, trucks and motor cycles being on display all evening. There will be awards for the best car, truck, motorcycle, custom and original, as well as participants' choice.
Finish off the day by finding a favorite spot along the lakeshore for the spectacular Winona Lake fireworks display at dusk.
