WINONA LAKE - A kids' parade, games, cruise-in and fireworks over Winona Lake all will be a part of this year's Great Fourth of July Celebration at Winona Lake Park.
The event is Saturday and admission is free.Jan Illingworth, chairperson for this year's event, said a committee has been planning the event since September. Winona Lake has had the celebration since 1997.
"The committee has tried to make the event family oriented for the community to enjoy," Illingworth said.
Children ages 1 to 14 years old can participate in a kids' parade by decorating floats, wagons, strollers and dress up in costumes. This year's theme is "Military Past and Present."
Registration and line up will be from 11 to 11:45 a.m. at Cherry Creek across from Winona Lake Park.
The parade begins at noon with awards at 12:30 p.m. Awards will be given for judges' choice, most creative and best theme.
A prince and princess cutie contest for ages 4 to 6 will be held. Registration is from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.; interviews will be from 1 to 3:30 p.m.; and cutie awards will be presented at 4 p.m.
There will be free games from noon to 5 p.m., including a dunk tank, giant blow-up air slide, maze, football toss, free kids' workshops, an obstacle course and moon walk.
Winona Lake and Warsaw law enforcement will be in the dunk tank, and people can purchase three balls for $1, Illingworth said.
Watermelon- and pie-eating contests, kids' games and races will be at 2:30 p.m.
Local rock 'n' roll band Brother will perform a free concert from 3 to 5 p.m.
A cruise-in for cars, trucks and motorcycles will be held rain or shine. Registration is from 1 to 4 p.m. The event includes door prizes and dash plaques. Trophies will be awarded at 5:15 p.m.
Food, including barbecue, elephant ears, cotton candy, hot dogs and corn dogs will be available for purchase.
MasterWorks will perform a concert at Tabernacle Field across from the Winona Lake Post Office from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
A firework show will be put on over Winona Lake at 10 p.m.
The show is sponsored by Warsaw Community Development Corp.
Parking will be available at the Kosciusko County Fair Grounds and in the Village at Winona.
