Staff writer
The countdown to the 92nd annual July Fourth Celebration grows more apparent as the day draws nearer.
Bunting and holiday decorations are beginning to appear on homes and businesses. The “Pyro Crew” is spending quality time at the city park on Tuesday and Thursday evenings working on the ground displays. Admission buttons will be on sale by the end of the week.
Fourth Celebration Society co-chairman Lisa Hodges said the committee has been contacted by a group of classic car enthusiasts who will bring their vehicles to the city park for a “Show and Shine” from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 4.
“Apparently a ‘Show and Shine’ is a fairly low-key event,” Hodges said. “There is no entry fee and there are no prizes. The group is planning to spend the day in the park with their friends and families, showing off their vehicles and visiting with people who enjoy classic cars. Some of them plan to be in the parade, and we are glad to have them come to Peabody for the day.”
The Fourth Celebration Society admits that numbers play a huge part in promoting the event.
“We are always glad to share information with those who plan to attend,” Hodges said. “Once again, those watching the fireworks show will see more than 1 million fireworks fired between the beginning mortars and the Battle of New Orleans finale. This will be the third consecutive year for exploding that many. It makes for a great show.”
Admission to the 92nd annual fireworks show costs $3. The admission button also gets patrons into all the events at the park, no matter what time they arrive.
“We usually don’t have people at the gates until later in the day,” she said. “Admission to the park is free during the day, but buttons are required to attend the fireworks show.
“My mom is the button queen. She has made 3,200 admission buttons since the first part of May. She likes it when we sell out and don’t have any left over.”
Early on the Fourth, the park will be the site of a horseshoe tournament and flea market. Both will start at 8 a.m. Food vendors will be set up during the day, and there will be free swimming at the Peabody pool and kid’s games in the park during the afternoon.
Other events will include the sixth annual Bob Phillips, Jr. Memorial Texas Hold ’Em Poker Tournament at 7 p.m. June 29 at the Peabody American Legion in downtown Peabody. The Legion also will be the site of an alumni dance beginning at 9 p.m. on July 3. Proceeds from both events fund scholarships for Peabody-Burns High School graduates.
A perennial favorite is the American Legion Auxiliary dog show in Santa Fe Park. The event will begin at 11 a. m. and will be open to canines from near and far. There is a $2 entry fee. Doggy prizes will be awarded to the winners.
For the first time in about 25 years, the celebration will include a volleyball tournament just east of the city park. For several years in the late 1980s, mud volleyball tournaments were held on the same space, but nothing similar has taken place since then.
The tournament this year is limited to co-ed teams with members 18 or older. The tournament will begin at 8 a.m. and end close to noon to avoid the heat of the day. Patti Traxson is in charge of rounding up teams for the event. A $20 entry fee will be required of each team. T-shirts will be given to the winning team.
For more information, visit the celebration website at http://peabodyfourth.com.