(Insert patriotic music here) If you haven’t realized it, Independence Day is Saturday. Yes, this Saturday! There are plenty of events in the area to keep you going all day long, beginning at 9 a.m. in Pangburn and ending around 10:15 p.m. in Heber Springs.
Events at Pangburn
Pangburn starts the day off with their annual political reception at city hall at 9 a.m. The next event goes to pot as racers partake in the Pangburn Auto Parts 400 Toilet Race at 9:45 a.m. on Main Street. It should be an exciting race as participants try to flush out their competition.
The annual Pangburn Fourth of July celebration really gets underway around 10 a.m. with the parade. The 2009 parade marshals are Gary and Barbara Doyle. At 11 a.m. are the opening ceremonies at the park with guest speakers and awards given for parade entries.
High noon means the start of live music in the park with the New Dixie Swing Band; at 2 p.m. the Little Red River Band will perform; at 4 p.m. the Living Proof Band will take the stage; and Charlotte Taylor and Gypsy Rain wrap up the concerts beginning at 7 p.m.
If you like to pitch horseshoes, don’t miss the competition at 1 p.m.
After a long day in the heat, a free barbecue dinner might hit the spot. If that’s what you want, don’t miss the free food at 5 p.m.
To wrap up the day at Pangburn, after the toilet races, the parade, the bands, and free food, move your eyes toward the sky around 9 p.m. for the annual professional fireworks show at the park.
Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair.
Events at Quitman
Once you’ve caught the Pangburn parade, you might have enough time to get to the Quitman parade at 10 a.m. The 20th Annual Quitman Lions Club Fourth of July Parade will start at the school and head east on Hwy 25.
Lion Club President Bill Hankins said the theme this year is “Symbols of Freedom”. Get your float, car, truck, four-wheeler, motorcycle, bicycle, or self decorated up with America’s symbols of freedom.
If you plan to participate in the parade, Hankins said you need to line up by 9:30 a.m. behind the Quitman Schools.
Meredith Mitchell from KTHV Channel 11 will be the grand marshal for the parade.
Events at Concord
Concord will host a parade at 10:30 a.m. Saturday as part of the July 4 Fun Day. Participants are asked to line up at the school by 10 a.m.
Following the parade visitors can head to the city park for lots of food, fun, and entertainment. Gaylon Sandefur will be performing, there will be games for the kids, a water slide, and door prizes.
Events at Heber Springs
The annual Heber Springs Fireworks Extravaganza is more than just a fireworks show; it’s a full entertainment event.
Reported as the largest fireworks show in the state, the 2009 Fireworks Extravaganza can be viewed from many areas, but Sandy Beach will be the most popular spot. “Everyone is invited to celebrate America’s Independence Day with us,” said Marilyn Wright, executive director of the Heber Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. “The 2009 Fireworks Extravaganza will take place over the beautiful Greers Ferry Lake at Sandy Beach in Heber Springs this Saturday, July 4.”
Although the fireworks won’t start until 9:30 p.m., the entertainment begins at 6 p.m. with “live music, food, and tons of fun”.
Wright said to bring your boat and find your spot to view the show from the lake. “Or come down to Sandy Beach, cool off in the swimming area, and be entertained.”
Fred Prentice and Friends get the party started on the stage at Sandy Beach. “They will be followed by the Imagine That Band featuring Glenn Parrish, Paige Tippett, and Peyton Loeschner from 7 to 9:15 p.m. These two talented groups will entertain you with lively selection of tunes.”
If you don’t want to lug around your cooler (alcohol is not permitted), food vendors may be able to satisfy your food cravings. “They will have a variety of foods including corn dogs, cheese sticks, hamburgers, Mexican dishes, Italian and Polish sausages, funnel cakes, soft pretzels, shaved ice, lemonade and soft drinks to name a few.”
Let’s say you forget to wear the traditional red, white, and blue to the show, don’t worry, you’ll be covered. “Patriotic red, white and blue tie-died t-shirts will be on sale along with glow-in-the-dark necklaces.”
Wright said, “At 9:30 p.m., as the skies turn dark, a spectacular fireworks display by Pyro Shows of LaFollette, Tennessee will light up over the lake. Choreographed to patriotic music and broadcast simultaneously over radio station KFFB 106.1 FM, it is a fitting finale to this patriotic day.”
If you attend the Heber show, be prepared to pay $5 per car for parking. “Parking attendants from a local service organization will be at Sandy Beach beginning at noon.
“Due to higher than normal water levels, there will be limited parking at the Heber Springs Marina this year. Please be advised that parking rules in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Heber Springs Recreation will be strictly enforced.”
The high water also means some “normal” viewing areas will be off limits due to safety concerns. “The Little Dike area (Hwy 110 West) will be restricted to emergency vehicles only,” said David Smith, Heber Springs police chief. “The emergency vehicles only restriction will begin about five minutes before the fireworks and end immediately after the shows.”
With the restrictions, traffic will have to take a detour, according to Wright. “An alternate route using Bittle Road is suggested for your travel convenience.”
For more information on this exciting event, contact the Heber Springs Area Chamber of Commerce at 501-362-2444.
Alternate Routes:
Traveling west from downtown- Hwy 25B South/7th St. to Martin St.; turn west on Martin, then travel to 10th St. and turn left. 10th St. makes a jog to the right at South St. then a quick left. Continue on 10th St. to Bittle Rd. and turn right. Follow Bittle Rd. past the Fairground to Woodland Ave. and turn right. Follow Woodland Ave. to Hwy 110/Main St. You can also follow Bittle Rd. to Hwy 107 if you need to go in that direction.
Traveling east toward Heber- From Hwy 107, turn east onto Bittle Rd. or from Hwy 110/Main St., turn south on Woodland Ave. and drive to Bittle Rd., then turn left on Bittle Rd. Follow Bittle Rd. to 10th St., turn left to South St. 10th St. takes a jog to the right then to the left at South St. Take 10th St. to Martin St. and turn right. Follow Martin St. to Hwy 25B South/7th St.
