Salute to America

The red, white and blue banners and bunting are up all over town, and many flags will be flying soon!

This is a true sign that the Fourth of July or Independence Day will soon be here, and all is ready for Groesbeck Fourth of July celebration this Friday and Saturday, July 3 and July 4.

Activities for the big celebration will be held in downtown and the Groesbeck City Park.

This year's July 4th celebration will include a large array of activities. The big event will begin with a Bluegrass concert on Friday night and will conclude with a giant fireworks display on Saturday night.

The Groesbeck Chamber of Commerce and the Fourth of July Committee thank the businesses, organizations, and citizens of the community for the wonderful support of this event. Thanks for the donations to the firework displays and also to those who purchased ads in the July 4th Chamber supplement which has been inserted in this week's Journal. This supplement includes patriotic poems and articles.

A look at the various activities follows:

Bluegrass Concert

The July 4th celebration will be kicked off with a bluegrass concert on Friday night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Groesbeck City Park. The concert will feature Groesbeck's own Karl Shiflett and his Big Country Band and also Phillip James and his New Generation Band from Maumelle, Arkansas. The concert promises to be an evening of great entertainment. See stories on each band in this week's Journal.

The Groesbeck Volunteer Fire Department will have a concession stand open for the concert with plenty of good food and cold drinks.

Please bring lawn or folding chairs for seating.

Pancake Breakfast

The Methodist Men's Fellowship will open July 4th Saturday with its annual pancake breakfast at the Methodist Activities Center (the MAC building). The hours are 8 to10 a.m. The menu will include pancakes, bacon or sausage, coffee, juice, and milk. Tickets are $4.00 per person and may be purchased at the church office, the Journal office, various Methodist Men, and also may be purchased at the door.

Parade

The Fourth of July Parade is slated for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning in downtown Groesbeck. The parade will form on West Angeline Street. All entries should in place by 9:45 a.m. A parade route will be found in this week's Journal.

A place of honor will be reserved in the parade for all active duty military personnel. For further information contact Tony Allen at ParadeDir09@aol.com.

Arts, Crafts, Food Vendors

A large number of Arts & Crafts and food vendors will be located in the Groesbeck City Park for most of the day. The vendors will be located under two large tents plus several smaller tents. A variety of arts and crafts items plus a variety of good food will be available.

Children Activities

Among the highlights of activities at the Groesbeck City Park will be the children's activities.

With one or two possible exceptions the childrens activities are free. The activities will include three inflatable attractions including a water slide, a 45 foot obstacle course, and a bounce house.

There will also be a tattoo booth and other possible games or activities.

Free Swimming

The city of Groesbeck will again offer free swimming to the community and July 4th visitors. The hours will be 12 noon to about 6 p.m.

Volleyball Tournament

The July 4th volleyball tournament will be held in the Groesbeck City Park. The tournament will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday and will resume at 8 a.m. on Saturday. The finals will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday night.

Three-on-Three Hoops Tourney

A new attraction to this year's celebration will be the three-onthree basketball tournament to be held in the City Park. The basketball tournament is expected to start at 9 a.m.

Peach Cobbler and Ice Cream

The Groesbeck Chamber of Commerce will again be selling its famous peach cobbler and ice cream. These items will go on sale at 12 noon and will continue until it is all gone! The proceeds will benefit the Groesbeck City Park.

Musical Entertainment

Those attending the July 4th activities will be treated to musical entertainment including gospel music on Saturday afternoon under the City Park Pavilion. The entertainment will start about 12:30 p.m. and will continue until about 4:30 or 5 p.m.

Miss July 4th, Little Miss contest

Another new feature to this year's celebration will be the Miss Fourth of July Contest, ages 6 to 12, and Little Miss Fourth of July, ages 2 to 5. Contestants are accepting money for votes. One penny equals one vote.

The presentation of Miss Fourth of July and Little Miss Fourth of July will be at 5:30 p.m. Drawing for Map

The Limestone County Historical Commission will conduct the drawing for the framed 1849 Texas map which it is raffling. The drawing will be shortly after 5 p.m.

Tickets for the drawing will be available in the park. Need not be present to win. See related story.

Drawing for Gas BBQ Pit

Groesbeck Rebuilds America will have a drawing for a gas barbecue pit at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Groesbeck City Park. Raffle tickets for the barbecue pit will be available at the park during the day. See related article. Need not be present to win.

The Morticians

The Morticians of Waco will again provide music for the evening portion of the celebration. The Morticians will begin playing at 7 p.m. and will play for about one hour after the fireworks display.

Fireworks Display

Jay and Jean Smith are planning another great fireworks display. The display will start about 9 p.m.

Bring Own Chairs

Everyone is reminded to bring their own lawn or folding chairs for events at the City Park.

NOTE: The times listed above could possibly vary by a few minutes.

Groesbeck Fourth of July Schedule of Events

At-A-Glance

Friday, July 3, 2009
Bluegrass Concert, Groesbeck City Park, 6:30 -- 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Downtown
Pancake Breakfast, MAC Building, 8 to 10 a.m.
Fourth of July Parade, 10:30 a.m.
Groesbeck City Park
Arts, Crafts, Food Vendors --- All day.
Children's Activities -- approximately ll a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free Swimming, Groesbeck City Pool -- 12 noon to about 6 p.m.
Volleyball Tournament -- Starts at 5 p.m. Friday. Resumes 8 a.m.
on Saturday. Finals at 7 p.m. Sat.
Three-on-Three Baseball Tournament -- Starts at 9 a.m.
Peach Cobbler and Ice Cream -- 12 noon until all gone.
Musical Entertainment --- 12:30 p.m. until 4:30 or 5 p.m.
Little Miss and Miss July 4th Contests Presentations -- 5:30 p.m.
Drawing for Map (Historical Commission) -- 5:00 p.m.
Drawing for BBQ Pit (GB Rebuilds America) -- 6:30 p.m.
Morticians -- 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Fireworks Display -- Approximately 9 p.m.
Please Bring Your Own Lawn Chairs for Seating