By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Peabody residents are making ready for the town’s 102nd bang-up celebration July 4.

Already volunteers are cleaning up and preparing a round house at City Park. The round house is used to store frames used for fireworks ground displays.

Ground displays have become scarce in recent years, and Peabody’s ground displays are one of the reasons the annual fireworks show brings viewers from far and wide, many coming from out of state to see the spectacle.

Volunteers met at the round house three days a week to prepare for the event.

Festivities will kick off at 9 p.m. Monday with an alumni dance at the American Legion.

Other events:

• Peabody’s day full of July 4 fun will begin at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday with registration for a daylong horseshoe tournament that begins at 9 a.m. in the park.
• At the same time the horseshoe tournament begins, a sand volleyball tournament will begin across from the city park.
• Turtles will stampede to win a race at 10 a.m. in Peabody’s Athletic Park — however long a turtle stampede takes. Starting at 9 a.m., turtle tattoos, a free raffle, and a watermelon feed are planned. First, second, and third place will receive prize baskets. All participants and friends will get goodie bags. Raffle winners will be announced after the race.
• Peabody’s recreation commission will start kids’ games in the park at 10 a.m. Games will last all afternoon.
• Instead of a washers tournament this year, a corn hole tournament is planned at City Park. Registration will begin at 11 a.m. Money raised by the tournament will go to an alumni scholarship fund. Participants are being encouraged to bring boards and bags if they have them.
• Free swimming and games at the city pool will begin at 1 p.m.
• Peabody Historical Society will have an ice cream social from 2 to 4 p.m. in Vintage Bank Park. Free-will donations will help support the Peabody Museum. The historical society will sell copies of “Light of the Sky,” by Don Skinner and Peabody T-shirts. Raffle tickets for a patriotic quilt will be sold. Money raised will be used to help repair and paint an octagonal building in the park.
• Parade registration will be at 4 p.m. in Peabody Burns High School parking lot. The parade will begin at 5 p.m. Floats, animals, golf carts, four-wheelers, cars, bikes, and trikes are allowed to register. Prize categories have not yet been announced. The parade will take a different route this year, traveling Walnut St. from 8th St. to 1st St.
• Mr. Peabody’s Barbershop will sponsor a beard competition at 7 p.m. at the park.
• Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. and last 45 minutes.

Admission buttons are $5 and can be purchased at many businesses or paid for at the gate. Children 3 and younger are admitted free.

In addition to Peabody’s bang-up celebration July 4, other fireworks displays and celebrations will take place in other towns.

Saturday

Marion County Park and Lake will be the scene of a fireworks show. The show, sponsored by Friends of Marion County Lake, will include a car parade around the lake and a boat parade.

Ramona Fire Department and the city of Ramona will jointly celebrate a grand opening of Ramona’s new firehouse and Independence Day with an open house from 5 to 9 p.m. and fireworks at dark.

A barbecue dinner including hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, baked beans, chips, drinks, popcorn, and more will be at 5 p.m. Cost is by free-will donation. Games and activities, including the county fire departments’ new fire house inflatable, are scheduled for 5 p.m. and ice cream treats will be served from 7 to 9 p.m. Ramona firefighters will be on hand to show visitors around and talk about the new fire house.

Sunday

Aulne Bible Church will have an ice cream social and fireworks display starting at 7 p.m. Fireworks will begin at dark. Spectators are being encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.

Monday

Florence Achieving Community Success will be host for an evening of food, fun, and fireworks starting at 6 p.m.

Florence’s pool will be open 6 to 8 p.m. for free family swimming. Ages 6 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Hot dogs and fixings will be served at Florence baseball field from 6 until 8:30 p.m. or until food runs out.

Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.