Celebrate July 4th at Robe-Ann Park with more than fireworks

Celebrate 4 sponsors for the 2011 Fourth of July fireworks include Red level sponsors who contributed $1,000. They are (from left) Brad Kelsheimer, representing DePauw University; Ashley Dora, representing The Inn at DePauw; Mayor Sue Murray; Terry Takezawa of Heartland Automotive; Ritsuko Abrams, Takezawa's senior executive assistant.; and (below in separate photo) Christa Campbell, Teachers Credit Union. Not pictured, the Banner Graphic.

While one of the best small-town fireworks displays in Indiana will again be the centerpiece, the annual Greencastle Fourth of July celebration will be much more than bombs bursting in air.

Monday's activities will begin and 7 a.m. and conclude sometime in the 10 p.m. hour with food, competition, fun and games on the menu.

As usual, the annual fireworks display by Sky Magic Pyrotechnics, will commence at dusk.

"We had a call from a food vendor in Mooresville who said he couldn't wait for our fireworks," mayor's office assistant Linda Huber said earlier this week. "He said we have one of the best fireworks displays around for a small town."

In the event of rain, the fireworks will be delayed until Tuesday, July 5. No other activities will be rescheduled.

Admission to the fireworks is free, thanks again this year to several local sponsors.

Red sponsors, who contributed $1,000 to the fireworks fund are DePauw University, Heartland Automotive, Teachers Credit Union and the Banner Graphic (in-kind donation of advertising space).

White sponsors, contributing $500 to the cause, are Big Bounce Fun House Rentals, Headley Hardware, Putnam County Convention and Visitor Bureau, IAC Corp., Vectren Foundation and WREB (in-kind commercial air time).

Blue sponsors, who gave $250 to the fireworks effort, are Buzzi Unicem, Cash Concrete, Cinergy Metronet, Crowe Horwath, Duke Energy Foundation, Friends of the Park, HBG Insurance and Bonds, Hannum, Wagle and Cline, Hendricks Power, Jackson Hewitt, Dr. Dale Oliver and Service Master Total Source.

Other contributors of cash or in-kind products or materials include American Legion Post 58, Animal Medical Clinic (Dr. John Scamahorn), Carpenters Local 859, BPOE Elks Lodge 1077, Hoosier Topics, AA Huber and Sons, Frank and Marie Laroche, Murray and Associates and West Central Veterinary Services.

The holiday activities will commence at 7 a.m. Monday with the all-you-can-eat "Pancakes for Parks and Pathways" fundraiser under shelterhouse No. 1 at Robe-Ann Park.

The pancake breakfast, featuring hotcake, sausage and beverages, will run until 11 a.m. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Proceeds will go to the People Pathways and Friends of the Park groups.

At 8 a.m., the 20th annual Mike Rokicki Memorial 5K Road Run will kick off, followed at 9:15 by the 8th annual Youth Firecracker Fun Run.

Registration (set 7-8 a.m.) for the Rokicki Run costs $15, while the youth run is free of charge.

White sponsors who contributed $500 to the 2011 Fourth of July fireworks effort are (from left) Mark Miller, Vectren Foundation; Greg Bennett, Headley Hardware; Tonya Sanders, WREB; Sarah and Susan Lorimer and Breana Smith, Big Bounce Fun House Rentals; Jerry Rimstidt, IAC; and Karla Lawless, Putnam County Convention and Visitor Bureau. The fireworks are set for dusk Monday, July 4.

One of the more unique events slated is the Celebrate 4 Dog Fashion Show will be staged at 10 a.m. Monday at the park maintenance building near the Bloomington Street entrance.

Registration for the dog costume contest will start at 9:30 a.m.

Now in its fifth year, the canine costume event will be judged by Anne Clark and Dr. John Scamahorn.

The aquatic center will also be a hub of activity on Monday. Open swim, pool contests and games for all ages are planned from noon to 5 pm. Admission to the pool will be free on the holiday.

A midway with games and contests will be open 2-8 p.m. (tokens are 25 cents each or five for $1). Bounce house inflatables will be positioned near shelter No. 5 from 2-8 p.m. (tickets are $1 and $5).

Musical entertainment in the Bob Flanigan Bandshell is on tap from 4 p.m. until dusk, while food vendors plan to be open from noon until 10 p.m.

Other activities planned at Robe-Ann Park Monday include:

Blue level sponsors who donated $250 to the Fourth of July fireworks effort include (from left) Rick Bittles, HBG Insurance and Bonds; Robyn Pastore and Ginny Hinton, Service Master Total Source; Mayor Sue Murray; Brian Pohlar, representing both Hannum, Wagle and Cline and Friends of the Park; and Neal Cash, Cash Concrete. Not pictured are representatives of Buzzi Unicem, Cinergy Metronet, Crowe Horwath, Duke Energy, Hendricks Power, Jackson Hewitt, McDonald's/ Jedele Enterprises, North Salem State Bank and Dr. Dale Oliver.

-- Greencastle Golden Knights and Putnam County Sheriff's Department 3-on-3 basketball tourney ($20 per team). Registration 10-11 a.m.; games begin at 11.

-- Pinewood Derby for Cub Scouts, youth (non-scouts) and open class, beginning with registration at noon, followed by competition at 1 p.m. Entry fee is $3 for scouts; $5 for non-scouts or open class and free for antique or late-model entries.

-- Corn toss open play and tournament. Registration begins at 1 p.m. with the tournament at 2 p.m. Open play is free, while there is a $20 entry fee per team for the tourney.

-- Paul Revere Horseshoe Tournament. Fee is $10 per person. Registration begins at 3 p.m. with the tourney benefiting Special Olympics starting at 4.

-- 2-150 Field Artillery Alpha Battery National Guard display, 3-8 p.m.

-- Barrel Roll emergency services competition in the aquatic center parking lot, 6 p.m. Cost is $50 per team.

-- Firecracker fruit pie bake-off with registration and entry 1-2 p.m. at the park office. Winners announced and auction held at 7 p.m. Entry is free.

-- A softball tourney runs from Friday through Monday.