City sets Fourth of July Celebration plans

Crews from Marsee's Tree Service, with the help of crane operator Jake Zaring, removed a large tree Monday that had fallen onto the roof of a house on Locust Street just south of Washington Street. The tree fell during Thursday's high winds and rested on the house all weekend, camouflaged by leaves.

Staff Writer

Plans are set for next week's Fourth of July Celebration in Greencastle's Robe-Ann Park, but Mayor Nancy Michael says more money is needed to top off the fireworks display.

The July 4 planning committee has budgeted $20,000 for the event with a majority of that needed to pay for the fireworks. As of Monday morning, Mayor Michael said the committee had raised a majority of the funding needed for the event but was still looking for sponsors for the fireworks display.

Sky Magic Pyrotechnics of Brazil is putting on the fireworks show which will begin at dusk on July 4.

Meanwhile, volunteers are still needed to staff the children's game area and other events that are planned throughout the day.

"We are continuing to look for volunteers for the course of the day," Michael said.

The mayor says she is expecting a larger crowd at this year's event because the holiday falls in the middle of the week. She said she thinks people will be less likely to be out of town because they won't have a long weekend to travel.

"We've got some great activities, some new events -- and we hope people will come out and support it," she said.

This year's schedule, which appears in an advertisement on today's page 5 of the paper, includes many annual favorites, and some new activities sure to delight.

The day kicks off at 8 a.m. with the Mike Rokicki Memorial 5K Road Run at the park. Registration is $15 and begins at 7 a.m. at shelter No. 5. The annual youth "Firecracker" fun run begins at 9:15 a.m.

An event that is growing in popularity, the dog fashion show kicks off at 10 a.m. at the park maintenance facility. Registration is at 9:30 a.m.

City Planner Shannon Norman is the hostess for this event and said it is quickly becoming a favorite with dog owners.

The Cub Scouts will host a pinewood derby at 1 p.m., to be followed by an open-class derby and antique car show.

DePauw Public Safety will put on its 3-on-3 basketball tournament at noon along with pie bake-off registration at the park office. Winners of the pie contest will be announced at 6:30 p.m.

The day's activities also include a kids' game carnival, Greencastle Police "Crush-A-Car," corn toss competition and live music, all beginning at 4 p.m.

"All the activities are in full swing at 4 o'clock," Michael said, including food vendors which are scheduled to open at 3 p.m.

Another favorite of the day is the Tug-of-War competition between local emergency services agencies. That kicks off at 6 p.m. at the band shell.

"Celebrate '4' is a great event," the mayor concluded. "I'm very pleased that the community has stepped up to support it. That's what makes it a great event."